[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 83 (Monday, May 2, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-10410]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: May 2, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 301

[Docket No. 931235-4107; I.D. 120993A]

 

Pacific Halibut Fisheries

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Final rule and approval of catch sharing plan.

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SUMMARY: The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA, (AA) on 
behalf of the International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC), 
publishes regulations promulgated by the IPHC and approved by the 
Secretary of State governing the Pacific halibut fishery. The IPHC 
regulations are intended to enhance the conservation of Pacific halibut 
stocks in order to help rebuild and sustain them at an adequate level 
in the northern Pacific Ocean and Bering Sea.
    The AA also announces the approval of the 1994 Catch Sharing Plan 
(Plan) to allocate the total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific halibut 
between treaty Indian, non-Indian commercial, and non-Indian sport 
fishermen off the coasts of Washington, Oregon, and California (IPHC 
statistical Area 2A). Regulations necessary to achieve the sport 
fisheries allocations in the Plan are also published. These regulations 
specify the seasons, quotas, and bag limits in each of the sport 
fishery areas.

EFFECTIVE DATE: May 1, 1994.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steven Pennoyer, Regional Director, 
NMFS, Alaska Region, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802, telephone 907-
586-7221; J. Gary Smith, Acting Regional Director, NMFS, Northwest 
Region, 7600 Sand Point Way NE., Bldg. 1, Seattle, WA 98115, telephone 
206-526-6140; or Donald McCaughran, Executive Director, IPHC, P.O. Box 
5009, University Station, Seattle, WA 98105, telephone 206-624-1838.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The IPHC, under the Convention between the 
United States and Canada for the Preservation of the Halibut Fishery of 
the Northern Pacific Ocean and Bering Sea (signed at Ottawa, Ontario, 
on March 2, 1953), as amended by a Protocol Amending the Convention 
(signed at Washington, DC, on March 29, 1979), has promulgated new 
regulations governing the Pacific halibut fishery in 1994. The 
regulations have been approved by the Secretary of State of the United 
States with the exception of IPHC regulations that pertain to domestic 
allocation in Area 4B. Regulations allocating catch in Area 4B have 
been developed by the North Pacific Fishery Management Council (NPFMC) 
and, if approved by the AA, will take effect for the 1994 fishery. Area 
4B allocative regulations were inappropriately included in the 1994 
IPHC regulations and therefore were not approved. On behalf of the 
IPHC, the approved IPHC regulations are published in the Federal 
Register to provide notice of their effectiveness, and to inform 
persons subject to the regulations of the restrictions and requirements 
appearing therein.
    The IPHC held its annual meeting on January 24-27, 1994, in 
Bellevue, WA, and adopted regulations for 1994. The substantive changes 
from the previous IPHC regulations (58 FR 17791, April 6, 1993) 
include: (1) New commercial catch limits and fishing seasons; (2) new 
treaty Indian halibut catch limits; (3) new sport fishing limits in 
Area 2A; and (4) new regulations that require fishermen and processors 
to unload all fish when fishing period limits are in effect and to 
record these landings on state fish tickets. The 1994 regulations also 
continue the Area 4D-N experimental fishery.
    Because the non-Indian commercial fishery in Area 2A is likely to 
exceed the sub-quota for this fishery during the first 10-hour opening, 
the IPHC will need to impose vessel trip limits. However, because it is 
unknown at this time how many vessels might participate in the Area 2A 
fishery, the IPHC staff will determine and announce the vessel trip 
limits necessary to avoid exceeding the sub-quota prior to the July 6 
opening when better information is available on the number of vessels 
that may participate in the fishery.
    Section 5 of the Halibut Act (16 U.S.C. 773c) provides that the 
Secretary of Commerce shall have general responsibility to carry out 
the Halibut Convention (Convention) between the United States and 
Canada, and that the Secretary shall adopt such regulations as may be 
necessary to carry out the purposes and objectives of the Convention 
and the Halibut Act. The Secretary's authority has been delegated to 
the AA. Section 5 of the Halibut Act (16 U.S.C. 773c(c)) also 
authorizes the regional fishery management council having authority for 
the geographic area concerned to develop regulations governing the 
Pacific halibut catch in U.S. Convention waters that are in addition 
to, but not in conflict with, regulations of the IPHC. Pursuant to this 
authority, NMFS requested the Pacific and North Pacific Fishery 
Management Councils to allocate halibut catches should such allocation 
be necessary.
    At its January 1994 meeting, the NPFMC recommended regulations that 
would enhance fishing opportunities for vessels that land their total 
annual catch of Pacific halibut within Regulatory Area 4B. These 
regulations would reserve 15 percent of the Area 4B catch limit for 
Pacific halibut fishing periods scheduled prior to August 15. Vessels 
participating in these Area 4B fishing periods would be limited to a 
maximum catch of 10,000 pounds (4.5 mt) during each fishing period. The 
intended effect of these measures is to provide summer fishing 
opportunities for smaller vessels that land their total annual Pacific 
halibut catch in Area 4B. These measures would not apply to fishing 
periods in Area 4B after August 15.
    These Area 4B regulations will be the subject of a separate notice 
of proposed rulemaking. The AA will decide whether to approve the 
proposed allocation after consideration of public comment on the 
proposed rule. If approved by the AA, final regulations implementing 
the 15-percent catch limit reservation and the fishing period limits 
will be published at Sec. 301.7(f) and Sec. 301.11(g), respectively. 
Therefore, these paragraphs are reserved.
    The NPFMC's previous allocation recommendations were implemented in 
regulations published at 53 FR 20327 (June 3, 1988) and 55 FR 23085 
(June 6, 1990), have been adopted by the IPHC, and are consolidated and 
renumbered at Sec. 301.11(h) and (i); Sec. 301.14(a), (b), (e), (f), 
(g), (h), (i) and (j); and Sec. 301.17(i). An additional regulation 
pertaining to NPFMC allocation recommendations was originally published 
at 56 FR 19617 (April 29, 1991) and is republished at Sec. 301.10(g) 
for the convenience and information of the public.
    The Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC) has prepared catch 
sharing plans since 1988 to allocate the TAC of Pacific halibut between 
treaty Indian, non-Indian commercial, and non-Indian sport fisheries in 
Area 2A off Washington, Oregon, and California. For 1994, the PFMC 
recommended a two-pronged, contingent recommendation which: (1) 
Requests that the IPHC calculate 50 percent of the harvestable surplus 
in subarea 2A-1 and manipulate the non-Indian commercial fishery so 
that the non-Indian share does not exceed 50 percent in subarea 2A-1, 
and that the non-Indian allocation should be divided among sport and 
commercial fisheries in the same proportion as the 1993 catch shares; 
or (2) if IPHC is unable to determine the harvestable surplus in 
subarea 2A-1, then the non-Indian commercial fishery be moved south of 
subarea 2A-1 and the allocations among treaty Indian and non-Indian 
sport and commercial fisheries would be the same as in 1993 (i.e., 
Treaty Indian (25 percent), non-Indian commercial (37.5 percent), 
Washington sport (22.9 percent), and Oregon/California sport (14.6 
percent).
    The PFMC's recommended Plan was disapproved by the AA because it 
maintained a status quo treaty Indian allocation, or set a treaty 
Indian allocation based on the IPHC's calculation of half of the 
harvestable surplus in subarea 2A-1 that would either keep the tribal 
share at its present 25 percent of the Area 2A TAC, or reduce it to 20 
percent if the IPHC used its past report (IPHC Scientific Report Number 
74) to estimate the distribution of halibut biomass to derive 
``harvestable surplus'' in subarea 2A-1. The AA disapproved only that 
portion of the PFMC's recommended allocation that affected Indian 
fishing rights and harvest in area 2A-1. That portion was disapproved 
because the information in the record did not establish that the 
recommendation provided the tribes with a 50-percent allocation of the 
harvestable surplus of halibut that passes through their usual and 
accustomed fishing area. The PFMC recommendations pertaining to 
allocations within the non-Indian fisheries were included in the 
proposed 1994 Plan. A complete discussion of the partial disapproval of 
the PFMC's recommendation and background on the development of the 1994 
Plan and the proposed sport fishing regulations was published in the 
Federal Register on December 22, 1993, (58 FR 67762) with a request for 
public comments.
    The 1994 Plan as proposed in the December 22, 1993, Federal 
Register notice, was approved because it provides the treaty Indian 
tribes with an allocation that is consistent with December 29, 1993, 
order issued by the U.S. District Court for the Western District of 
Washington, Makah Indian Tribe v. Brown et al. No. C85-1605 (W.D. 
Wash.); United States of America et al. v. State of Washington, et al., 
Civil No. 9213-Phase I, subproceeding No. 92-1 (W.D. Wash.) and 
implements the remainder of the PFMC's recommendations on allocations 
between and within non-Indian fisheries reduced proportionately to 
accommodate the 35-percent allocation to the tribes. This action 
responds to public comments on the proposed Plan and proposed sport 
regulations and announces approval of the Plan and final sport fishing 
regulations.

Comments and Responses on the Proposed Rule and the Catch Sharing Plan

    Three letters of comment on the proposed rule and six letters of 
comment on the proposed 1994 Plan were received from the Oregon State 
Department of Fish and Wildlife, Washington State Department of Fish 
and Wildlife, representatives of the treaty Indian tribes, and non-
Indian sport and commercial users. Three letters expressed support for 
the Plan and three were opposed. The comments are summarized below with 
responses.
    Comment 1: Treaty Indian representatives agreed with the 35-percent 
allocation to the tribes for 1994 and advised that the tribal estimate 
for the 1993 ceremonial and subsistence (C&S) fishery for all 12 tribes 
was 15,798 pounds. For 1994, the tribes requested that 16,000 pounds be 
used in the Plan as the C&S fishery estimate.
    Response: The 1994 Plan and the IPHC implementing regulations were 
revised to use 16,000 pounds (7.3 mt) as the tribal estimate for 1994.
    Comment 2: Oregon representatives and users recommended adoption of 
the PFMC's recommendation because the proposed Plan would establish a 
disproportionate harvest in the northern area of Area 2A, which is not 
consistent with scientific information on biomass distribution and 
could be detrimental to the halibut stock.
    Response: The Secretary disapproved only that portion of the PFMC's 
recommended allocation scheme that affected treaty Indian fishing 
rights, because it did not provide the tribes with a 50-percent 
allocation of the harvestable surplus of halibut that passes through 
subarea 2A-1 (the treaty Indian tribes usual and accustomed fishing 
area). In Makah v. Brown, the U.S. Government argued that harvests 
should be proportionate to biomass based on the IPHC management 
philosophy and on IPHC Report No. 74. However, this argument was 
rejected. The tribes presented statistics showing that 70 percent of 
the Area 2A harvest has come from subarea 2A-1 for 20 years, without 
apparent detriment to the stock. Although the IPHC recently stated that 
overfishing may be occurring in Area 2A, the IPHC statement applies to 
the entire area, not to just subarea 2A-1, and past IPHC scientific 
reports have not concluded that the higher removals in subarea 2A-1 are 
a conservation issue. Given that there is not a clearly demonstrated 
conservation basis in the record for reducing the removals (70 percent 
of TAC) in the tribe's usual and accustomed fishing area (subarea 2A-1) 
at this time, and given their treaty right to 50 percent, the AA 
determined that 35 percent of the Area 2A TAC should be allocated to 
the treaty Indian tribes in 1994.
    Comment 3: One commenter felt that the PFMC's recommendation should 
not be overturned because it was based on an established open public 
process based on well-debated decisions and scientific input.
    Response: Only that portion of the PFMC recommendation pertaining 
to the allocation to treaty Indian tribes was overturned, because it 
was not consistent with the U.S. District Court order. When the PFMC 
was considering the allocation to the tribes during its public meeting, 
the PFMC was advised by U.S. government representatives at the PFMC's 
public meeting (prior to its vote) that a recommendation to reduce the 
harvests in subarea 2A-1 in order to reduce the tribal share was likely 
to be disapproved by the AA.
    Comment 4: Oregon representatives and users commented that the 
proposed Plan establishes an inequitable opportunity to harvest halibut 
by all users in Area 2A and discriminates between residents of 
different states by setting a disproportionate allocation in subarea 
2A-1 (the treaty Indian tribes' usual and accustomed fishing grounds), 
thereby preventing equitable use of available biomass in Oregon.
    Response: This allocation provides recognition of treaty Indian 
fishing rights and does not restrict the location of the non-Indian 
commercial fishery, and therefore does not discriminate between 
residents of different states.
    Comment 5: Oregon raised concerns about institutionalizing the 
halibut harvest disproportionately in a small area.
    Response: The Plan is for 1994 only; allocations for 1995 and 
beyond could be different than the 1994 Plan. Any proposal to reduce 
the tribal allocation below 35 percent of the Area 2A TAC must be 
supported by credible information that there is a conservation 
necessity to reduce the amount of harvest coming out of subarea 2A-1; a 
proposal to shift the non-Indian harvest would not have to meet the 
conservation necessity test.
    Comment 6: Representatives of the inside tribes commented that the 
proposed Plan is inconsistent in its allocation of treaty Indian and 
non-Indian harvests in Puget Sound in that the sport fisheries have 
separate sub-quotas for inside waters (Puget Sound), while no equal 
sub-quota is established for the Puget Sound tribes.
    Response: Consistent with the U.S. District Court order, the Plan 
only addresses the allocation to treaty Indian tribes in subarea 2A-1 
and does not consider intertribal allocation issues.
    Comment 7: Tribal representatives commented that the 72-hour 
restriction on the use of setline gear prior to a halibut fishing 
period should not apply to treaty Indian fishing as it is not necessary 
for regulating the treaty Indian fisheries.
    Response: This comment pertains to IPHC regulations, rather than 
the Plan. U.S. Government representatives did raise this issue with the 
IPHC and the application of the 72-hour restriction on treaty Indian 
fishing was removed by IPHC.
    Comment 8: The Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife 
(WDFW), in consultation with Washington anglers and IPHC staff, had two 
recommendations on the sport fishing regulations to account for the 
decrease in TAC from 1993. WDFW recommends that the Puget Sound sport 
fishery season be open May 2 to July 5; and that the area between 
Queets River and Cape Falcon have a 2-day season on June 2 and June 9.
    Response: The WDFW recommendations are within the PFMC's allocation 
objectives for Washington sport fisheries in 1994 as described in the 
Plan, and are necessary because of the revised sub-quotas in these 
areas (due to lowered TAC). Therefore, the proposed regulations at 
Sec. 301.21(d)(2) (i) and (iii) were revised to reflect these revised 
seasons that are intended to achieve the allocations in these sport 
fishery areas. The IPHC has concurred that projected catch for these 
seasons is within the sub-quotas for these areas.
    Comment 9: A Washington sport user stated that the one-fish bag 
limit in the Washington north coastal area sport fishery is not 
adequate, given the expense to travel to the north coast area.
    Response: The one-fish bag limit was recommended by the PFMC to 
extend the fishing season in this area to maximize angler 
participation.
    Comment 10: A Washington sport user commented that the Washington 
north coastal area sport fishery opening date should be delayed by 1 
month to make the fishery more safely accessible by small boats.
    Response: This area has traditionally opened in early May, as there 
is little other angler opportunity at this time of year. In prior 
years, when the sub-quota in this area was higher, a second season was 
set in July when more small vessels participate in the fishery. 
However, because quotas are no longer sufficient to have two seasons, 
the PFMC recommended a single opening that would extend as long as 
quota was available. NMFS agrees with the PFMC recommendation to 
maximize angler access and therefore the proposed May 3 opening was 
retained in the final rule.
    Comment 11: A Washington sport user was opposed to the proposed 
closure south of Cape Flattery in the Washington north coast sport 
fishery, because it prevented user access to productive grounds.
    Response: The closed area was recommended by the PFMC, based on 
input from WDFW, because the halibut caught in this area in 1993 were 
much larger than the average fish in the north coast area and caused 
the sub-quota in this area to be achieved much sooner than anticipated. 
NMFS concurs with the PFMC's objective in recommending closing this 
area to extend fishing opportunity as long as possible, and since other 
areas that are close to port are still available for fishing, NMFS has 
approved the closed area in the final sport regulations.
    Accordingly, the proposed 1994 Plan and proposed regulations at 
Sec. 301.21(d)(2) have been modified as described in the responses to 
comments. Specific regulations implementing portions of the 1994 Plan 
were adopted by the IPHC and are published herein. NMFS has implemented 
the sport fishery portion of the Plan, as applied to the Area 2A TAC, 
in Sec. 301.21(d) of these regulations. A regulation published at 58 FR 
17791 (April 6, 1993) that describes the fishing area of the treaty 
Indian tribes at Sec. 301.20(j) is renumbered and republished at 
Sec. 301.20(l). Additional regulations originally published at 58 FR 
17791 (April 6, 1993) pertaining to flexible inseason management 
provisions for Area 2A sport fisheries are republished at 
Sec. 301.21(d)(3) and (d)(5) for the convenience and information of the 
public. The final approved 1994 Plan for Pacific halibut in Area 2A is 
as follows.

1994 Catch Sharing Plan

    The 1994 Plan allocates 35 percent of the Area 2A TAC to Washington 
treaty Indian tribes in subarea 2A-1, and 65 percent to non-Indian 
fisheries in Area 2A. The allocation to non-Indian fisheries is divided 
50 percent to commercial users and 50 percent to sport users. The sport 
allocation is further divided 61 percent to areas off Washington and 39 
percent to areas off Oregon and California. The sport fisheries are 
divided into geographic areas, each having separate seasons, quotas, 
bag limits, and other restrictions. The Washington sport allocation 
applies to the coastal and inland waters off Washington, as well as 
waters off the coast of Oregon north of Cape Falcon. The Oregon sport 
allocation applies to waters off Oregon south of Cape Falcon and 
includes the California coast. The allocations are distributed as sub-
quotas to ensure that any overage or underage by any one user group 
will not affect achievement of the allocation of TAC for other user 
groups. The Area 2A TAC of 550,000 pounds (249.5 mt) is distributed as 
sub-quotas between users as follows:

Treaty Indian sub-quota............  192,500 pounds (87.3 mt)           
Non-Indian Commercial sub-quota....  178,750 pounds (81.1 mt)           
Washington Sport sub-quota.........  109,037 pounds (49.5 mt)           
Oregon Sport sub-quota.............  69,713 pounds (31.6 mt)            
                                    ------------------------------------
    Total..........................  550,000 pounds (249.5 mt)          
                                                                        

    The specific allocative measures in the treaty Indian, non-Indian 
commercial, and non-Indian sport fisheries in Area 2A are described 
below.
Treaty Indian Fisheries
    Thirty-five percent of the Area 2A TAC is allocated to 12 treaty 
Indian tribes in subarea 2A-1, which includes that portion of Area 2A 
north of Point Chehalis, WA (46 deg.53'18'' N. latitude) and east of 
125 deg.44'00'' W. longitude (defined in 50 CFR 301.20(c)). The treaty 
Indian allocation is to provide for a tribal commercial fishery and a 
C&S fishery. These two fisheries are to be managed separately; any 
overages in the commercial fishery will not affect the C&S fishery. The 
commercial fishery will be managed to achieve an established sub-quota, 
while the C&S fishery will be managed for a year-round season. The 
tribal C&S fishery commenced on January 1 and continues year-round 
through December 31. No size or bag limits apply to the C&S fishery, 
except that when the tribal commercial fishery is closed, treaty 
Indians may take and retain not more than two halibut per person per 
day. The tribal estimate of C&S catch for the year-round fishery in 
1993 was about 16,000 pounds (7.3 mt), and it is expected that 1994 
will be the same. Based on this expectation, the tribal commercial 
fishery will have a sub-quota of 176,500 pounds (80.1 mt), which is 
equal to the tribal allocation of 192,500 pounds (87.3 mt) less the 
tribal estimate of 16,000 pounds (7.3 mt) for a year-round C&S season. 
The tribal commercial fishery commenced on March 1 and continues 
through October 31 or until the tribal commercial sub-quota is taken, 
whichever occurs first. Any halibut sold by treaty Indians must comply 
with the IPHC regulations on size limits for the non-Indian fishery. 
Halibut taken for C&S purposes may not be offered for sale or sold. 
Regulations necessary for the treaty Indian allocative measures are 
implemented in the 1994 IPHC regulations.

Commercial Fisheries (Non-Indian)

    The non-Indian commercial fishery is allocated 32.5 percent of the 
Area 2A TAC. This Plan does not address the structuring of the 
commercial season(s). The 1994 commercial fishery opening date(s), 
duration, and vessel trip limits for Area 2A, as necessary to ensure 
that the sub-quota for this fishery is not exceeded, are determined by 
the IPHC.

Sport Fisheries (Non-Indian)

    The non-Indian sport fishery is allocated 32.5 percent of the Area 
2A TAC. The sport fishery allocation is further divided, with 19.8 
percent of the Area 2A TAC to areas off Washington/northern Oregon and 
12.7 percent to areas off Oregon/California. The sport fisheries are 
divided into five geographic areas, each having separate seasons, sub-
quotas, bag limits, and other restrictions as necessary to achieve 
allocation objectives. The Washington sport allocation applies to the 
coastal and inland waters off Washington and includes the north coast 
of Oregon, north of Cape Falcon. The Oregon sport allocation applies to 
waters off Oregon south of Cape Falcon and includes the California 
coast.
    The Washington sport fisheries structuring is based on the 
following allocation objectives adopted by the PFMC:
    1. In Puget Sound, provide a stable recreational opportunity for 
anglers and maximize the season length;
    2. On the north coast, maximize the season length; and
    3. On the south coast, maximize the season length while providing 
for a limited halibut fishery.
    The Oregon sport fisheries structuring is based on the following 
allocation objectives adopted by the PFMC:
    1. Provide early season fishing opportunity to anglers from Cape 
Falcon to the California border;
    2. Provide sport fishing opportunity for all Oregon ports south of 
Cape Falcon, especially small boat anglers;
    3. Provide a short period of opportunity for all ports south of 
Cape Falcon that allows both charter boats and larger private boats to 
fish productive areas in deeper water; and
    4. Provide anglers in California the opportunity to fish in a fixed 
season.
    The details of the sport fisheries structuring for the five sport 
fishery areas are as follows:
    1. Washington Inside Waters (Puget Sound and Straits).
    This area is allocated 32.4 percent of the Washington sport sub-
quota, which is 35,328 pounds (16.0 mt). The season will be open 6 days 
per week (closed Wednesdays) from May 2 until a closing date that will 
be based (preseason) on when the sub-quota is projected to be achieved. 
Due to the inability to monitor the catch in this area inseason, a 
fixed season is established preseason, based on projected catch per day 
and number of days to achievement of the sub-quota; no inseason 
adjustments will be made, and estimates of actual catch will be made 
post-season. For 1994, the sub-quota is projected to be achieved on 
July 5th. The bag limit will be one halibut per person per day, with no 
size limit.
    The dividing line between this area and the Washington north coast 
area is the Bonilla-Tatoosh line, defined as follows: From Bonilla 
Point (48 deg.35'44'' N. latitude, 124 deg.43'00'' W. longitude) to the 
buoy adjacent to Duntze Rock (48 deg.24'55'' N. latitude, 
124 deg.44'50'' W. longitude) to Tatoosh Island lighthouse 
(48 deg.23'30'' N. latitude, 124 deg.44'00'' W. longitude) to Cape 
Flattery (48 deg.22'55'' N. latitude, 124 deg.43'42'' W. longitude).
    2. Washington North Coast between the Straits and Queets River.
    This area is allocated 62.4 percent of the Washington sport sub-
quota, which is 68,039 pounds (30.9 mt). The fishery will open on May 3 
and continue 5 days per week (Tuesday through Saturday) until the sub-
quota is taken or until September 30, whichever occurs first. The bag 
limit is one halibut per person per day, with no size limit.
    A closure to sport fishing for halibut will be established in an 
area that is 19.5 nautical miles (36 km) southwest of Cape Flattery. 
The closed area is defined as the area within a rectangle defined by 
these four corners: 48 deg.17'00'' N. latitude and 125 deg.10'00'' W. 
longitude; 48 deg.17'00'' N. latitude and 125 deg.00'00'' W. longitude; 
48 deg.05'00'' N. latitude and 125 deg.10'00'' W. longitude; and, 
48 deg.05'00'' N. latitude and 125 deg.00'00'' W. longitude.
    3. Southern Washington/northern Oregon (between Queets River and 
Cape Falcon, OR).
    This area is allocated 5.2 percent of the Washington sport sub-
quota, which is 5,670 pounds (2.6 mt). The season will be open one day 
per week (Thursday only) from June 2 until when the sub-quota is 
projected to be harvested. Due to the inability to monitor the catch in 
this area inseason, a fixed season will be established preseason, based 
on projected catch per day and number of days to achievement of the 
sub-quota. For 1994, the sub-quota is projected to be achieved on June 
9; however, additional fishing days should be provided if the sub-quota 
is not taken by June 9 and additional sub-quota for this area remains 
unharvested that is sufficient for an additional full day of fishing. 
The bag limit is one halibut per person per day, with no size limit.
    4. South of Cape Falcon to the California Border.
    This area is allocated 97.4 percent of the Oregon sport sub-quota, 
which is 67,900 pounds (30.8 mt). The bag limit for all seasons in this 
area is two halibut per person per day, one with a minimum 32-inch 
(81.3 cm) size limit and the second with a minimum 50-inch (127.0 cm) 
size limit.
    This area will have three seasons: The first season is allocated 79 
percent of this area sub-quota; the second season is allocated 4 
percent; and the third season is allocated 17 percent. The structuring 
of the three seasons is as follows:
    1. The first season will open on May 4 and continue 5 days per week 
(Wednesday through Sunday) until 53,641 pounds (24.3 mt) is estimated 
to have been taken.
    2. The second season will open the day following the closure of the 
first season, but only in waters inside the 30-fathom curve and 
continue every day until August 5 or until 2,716 pounds (1.2 mt) is 
estimated to have been taken, whichever occurs first.
    3. The third and last season will open on August 6, with no depth 
restrictions. The fishery will be open 5 days per week (Wednesday 
through Sunday) until September 30 or until the area sub-quota of 
67,900 pounds (30.8 mt) is estimated to have been taken, whichever 
occurs first.
    Any poundage remaining after the earlier seasons will be added to 
the sub-quotas for the next season. If poundage added to the last 
season's sub-quota is sufficient to allow for additional fishing 
opportunity, an inseason action should be taken to add additional open 
days to each week.
    5. California--South of the California Border.
    This area is allocated 2.6 percent of the Oregon sport sub-quota, 
which is 1,813 pounds (0.8 mt). The season will commence on May 1 and 
continue every day until September 30. The bag limit is one halibut per 
person per day with a minimum 32-inch (81.3 cm) size limit. Due to the 
inability to monitor the catch in this area inseason, a fixed season 
will be established preseason based on projected catch per day and 
number of days to achievement of the sub-quota; no inseason adjustments 
will be made, and estimates of actual catch will be made post-season.

Classification

International Pacific Halibut Commission Regulations

    Because approval by the Secretary of State of the IPHC regulations 
is a foreign affairs function, Jensen v. National Marine Fisheries 
Service, 512 F.2d 1189 (9th Cir. 1975), 5 U.S.C. 553 of the 
Administrative Procedure Act (APA) does not apply to this notice of the 
effectiveness and content of the IPHC regulations. Because notice of 
proposed rulemaking is not required, the preparation of a regulatory 
flexibility analysis is not required.

Sport Fishing Regulations and Catch Sharing Plan

    The 1994 Plan and sport fishing regulations are consistent with the 
Catch Sharing Plans that have been in place since 1990. A regulatory 
impact review prepared by the PFMC for the 1992 Plan indicates that 
actions taken under the Plan will not have a significant economic 
impact on a substantial number of small entities. The allocations 
within this Plan are within the scope of the 1992 Plan and therefore 
preparation of a new regulatory flexibility analysis is not required 
under the Regulatory Flexibility Act. The General Counsel of the 
Department of Commerce certified to the Small Business Administration 
that the proposed regulations, if adopted, would not have a significant 
economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.
    This final rule has been determined to be not significant for 
purposes of E.O. 12866.
    If this rule is not effective by May 1, 1994, sport fishing for 
Pacific halibut in Area 2A would open under last years' regulations, 
which provided more halibut to the sport fishery than is available this 
year. Therefore, this years' season would open under less restrictive 
regulations than promulgated by these rules, and too much of the sport 
allocation would be taken early in the year, defeating the goals of the 
approved 1994 Plan. This would cause negative economic impacts on the 
coastal communities and charterboat operations that are dependent on 
Pacific halibut fishing throughout the year. Pursuant to section 
553(d)(3) of the APA, the AA finds good cause to make the final rule 
effective on May 1, 1994.

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 301

    Fisheries, Treaties.

    Dated: April 22, 1994.
Henry R. Beasley,
Acting Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
    For the reasons set out in the preamble, 50 CFR part 301 is revised 
to read as follows:

PART 301--PACIFIC HALIBUT FISHERIES

Sec.
301.1  Short title.
301.2  Interpretation.
301.3  Licensing vessels.
301.4  Inseason actions.
301.5  Application.
301.6  Regulatory areas.
301.7  Fishing periods.
301.8  Closed periods.
301.9  Closed area.
301.10  Catch limits.
301.11  Fishing period limits.
301.12  Size limits.
301.13  Careful release of halibut.
301.14  Vessel clearance in Area 4.
301.15  Logs.
301.16  Receipt and possession of halibut.
301.17  Fishing gear.
301.18  Retention of tagged halibut.
301.19  Supervision of unloading and weighing.
301.20  Fishing by U.S. treaty Indian tribes.
301.21  Sport fishing for halibut.
301.22  Previous regulations superseded.
Figure 1 to part 301.
Figure 2 to part 301.

    Authority: 5 UST 5; TIAS 2900; 16 U.S.C. 773-773k.


Sec. 301.1  Short title.

    This part may be cited as the Pacific Halibut Fishery Regulations.


Sec. 301.2  Interpretation.

    (a) In this part:
    Automated hook stripper (commonly known as a crucifier) means a 
device through which the groundline can be passed during gear 
retrieval, which allows the groundline and hooks to pass freely, but 
does not allow fish to pass, thereby removing fish from the hooks.
    Charter vessel means a vessel used for hire in sport fishing for 
halibut, but does not include a vessel without a hired operator.
    Commercial fishing means fishing, the resulting catch of which 
either is, or is intended to be, sold or bartered.
    Commission means the International Pacific Halibut Commission.
    Daily bag limit means the maximum number of halibut a person may 
take in any calendar day from Convention waters.
    Fishery officer means any State, Federal, or Provincial officer 
authorized to enforce this part, including, but not limited to, the 
National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Canada's Department of 
Fisheries and Oceans (DFO), Alaska Department of Fish and Wildlife 
Protection (ADFWP), and the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG).
    Fishing means the taking, harvesting, or catching of fish, or any 
activity that can reasonably be expected to result in the taking, 
harvesting, or catching of fish, including specifically the deployment 
of any amount or component part of setline gear anywhere in the 
maritime area.
    Fishing period limit means the maximum amount of halibut that may 
be retained and landed by a vessel during one fishing period.
    Land, with respect to halibut, means to bring to shore and to 
offload.
    License means a halibut fishing license issued by the Commission 
pursuant to Sec. 301.3 of this part.
    Maritime area, with respect to the fisheries jurisdiction of a 
Contracting Party, includes, without distinction, areas within and 
seaward of the territorial sea or internal waters of that Party.
    Operator, with respect to any vessel, means the owner and/or the 
master or other individual on board and in charge of that vessel.
    Overall length of a vessel means the horizontal distance, rounded 
to the nearest foot, 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).
    Person includes an individual, corporation, firm, or association.
    Regulatory area means an area referred to in Sec. 301.6 of this 
part.
    Setline gear means one or more stationary, buoyed, and anchored 
lines with hooks attached.
    Sport fishing means all fishing other than commercial fishing and 
treaty Indian ceremonial and subsistence fishing.
    Tender means any vessel that buys or obtains fish directly from a 
catching vessel and transports it to a port of landing or fish 
processor.
    (b) In this part, all bearings are true and all positions are 
determined by the most recent charts issued by the National Ocean 
Service or the Canadian Hydrographic Service.
    (c) In this part, all weights shall be computed on the basis that 
the heads of the fish are off and their entrails removed.


Sec. 301.3  Licensing vessels.

    (a) No person shall operate or fish for halibut from a U.S. vessel, 
nor possess halibut on board a U.S. vessel, used either for commercial 
fishing or as a charter vessel, unless the Commission has issued a 
license in respect of that vessel.
    (b) No person shall operate or fish for halibut from a Canadian 
vessel used as a charter vessel, nor possess halibut on board such 
vessel, unless the Commission has issued a license in respect of that 
vessel.
    (c) A license issued in respect of a vessel referred to in 
paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section must be carried on board that 
vessel at all times and the vessel operator shall permit its inspection 
by fishery officers of the Contracting Parties.
    (d) The Commission shall issue a license in respect of a vessel, 
without fee from its office in Seattle, WA, upon receipt of a 
completed, written, and signed ``Application for Vessel License for the 
Halibut Fishery'' form.
    (e) Application forms may be obtained from fishery officers of 
either Contracting Party, or from the Commission.
    (f) Information on ``Application for Vessel License for the Halibut 
Fishery'' form must be accurate.
    (g) The ``Application for Vessel License for the Halibut Fishery'' 
form shall be completed and signed by the vessel owner.
    (h) Licenses issued under this section shall be valid only during 
the year in which they are issued.
    (i) A new license is required for a vessel that is sold, 
transferred, renamed, or redocumented.
    (j) The license required under this section is in addition to any 
license, however designated, that is required under the laws of Canada 
or any of its Provinces or the United States or any of its States.
    (k) The United States may suspend, revoke, or modify any license 
issued under this section under policies and procedures in 15 CFR part 
904.


Sec. 301.4  Inseason actions.

    (a) The Commission is authorized to establish or modify regulations 
during the season after determining that such action
    (1) Will not result in exceeding the catch limit established 
preseason for each regulatory area;
    (2) Is consistent with the Convention between the United States and 
Canada for the Preservation of the Halibut Fishery of the Northern 
Pacific Ocean and Bering Sea, and applicable domestic law of either 
Canada or the United States; and
    (3) Is consistent, to the maximum extent practicable, with any 
domestic catch sharing plans developed by the United States or Canadian 
governments.
    (b) Inseason actions may include, but are not limited to, 
establishment or modification of the following:
    (1) Closed areas;
    (2) Fishing periods;
    (3) Fishing period limits;
    (4) Gear restrictions;
    (5) Recreational bag limits;
    (6) Size limits; or
    (7) Vessel clearances.
    (c) Inseason changes will be effective at the time and date 
specified by the Commission.
    (d) The Commission will announce inseason actions under this 
section by providing notice to major halibut processors; Federal, 
State, U.S. treaty Indian, and Provincial fishery officials; and the 
media.


Sec. 301.5  Application.

    (a) This part applies to persons and vessels fishing for halibut 
in, or possessing halibut taken from, waters off the west coast of 
Canada and the United States, including the southern and the western 
coasts of Alaska, within the respective maritime areas in which each of 
those countries exercises exclusive fisheries jurisdiction as of March 
29, 1979.
    (b) Sections 301.6 through 301.19 of this part apply to commercial 
fishing for halibut.
    (c) Section 301.20 of this part applies to fishing for halibut by 
U.S. treaty Indian tribes in the State of Washington.
    (d) Section 301.21 of this part applies to sport fishing for 
halibut.
    (e) This part does not apply to fishing operations authorized or 
conducted by the Commission for research purposes.


Sec. 301.6  Regulatory areas.

    The following areas (see Figure 1) shall be regulatory areas for 
the purposes of the Convention:
    (a) Area 2A includes all waters off the states of California, 
Oregon, and Washington;
    (b) Area 2B includes all waters off British Columbia;
    (c) Area 2C includes all waters off Alaska that are east of a line 
running 340 deg. true from Cape Spencer Light (latitude 58 deg.11'57'' 
N., longitude 136 deg.38'18'' W.), and south and east of a line running 
205 true from said light;
    (d) Area 3A includes all waters between Area 2C and a line 
extending from the most northerly point on Cape Aklek (latitude 
57 deg.41'15'' N., longitude 155 deg.35'00'' W.) to Cape Ikolik 
(latitude 57 deg.17'17'' N., longitude 154 deg.47'18'' W.), then along 
the Kodiak Island coastline to Cape Trinity (latitude 56 deg.44'50'' 
N., longitude 154 deg.08'44'' W.), then 140 true;
    (e) Area 3B includes all waters between Area 3A and a line 
extending 150 deg. true from Cape Lutke (latitude 54 deg.29'00'' N., 
longitude 164 deg.20'00'' W.) and south of latitude 54 deg.49'00'' N. 
in Isanotski Strait;
    (f) Area 4A includes all waters in the Gulf of Alaska west of Area 
3B and in the Bering Sea west of the closed area defined in Sec. 301.9 
of this part that are east of longitude 172 deg.00'00'' W. and south of 
latitude 56 deg.20'00'' N.;
    (g) Area 4B includes all waters in the Bering Sea and the Gulf of 
Alaska west of Area 4A and south of latitude 56 deg.20'00'' N.;
    (h) Area 4C includes all waters in the Bering Sea north of Area 4A 
and north of the closed area defined in Sec. 301.9 of this part that 
are east of longitude 171 deg.00'00'' W., south of latitude 
58 deg.00'00'' N., and west of longitude 168 deg.00'00'' W.;
    (i) Area 4D includes all waters in the Bering Sea north of Areas 4A 
and 4B, north and west of Area 4C, and west of longitude 
168 deg.00'00'' W.;
    (j) Subarea 4D-N includes that portion of Area 4D that is north of 
latitude 62 deg.30'00'' N.;
    (k) Area 4E includes all waters in the Bering Sea north and east of 
the closed area defined in Sec. 301.9 of this part, east of longitude 
168 deg.00'00'' W., and south of latitude 65 deg.34'00'' N.


Sec. 301.7  Fishing periods.

    (a) The fishing periods for each regulatory area are set out in the 
following tables and apply where the catch limits specified in 
Sec. 301.10 of this part have not been taken. 

                       Commercial Fishing Periods in Regulatory Areas 2A, 2B, 2C, 3A, 3B                        
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         2A                     2B                     2C                     3A                     3B         
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7/06                   3/01-11/15             6/06-6/07              6/06-6/07              6/06-6/07           
7/19                   .....................  9/12-*                 9/12-9/13              9/12-9/13           
8/03                   .....................  10/10-*                10/10-*                10/10-*             
8/16                   .....................  .....................  .....................  ....................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                                Commercial Fishing Periods in Regulatory Areas 4A, 4B, 4C                                               
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          4A                     4B                                                                4C                                                   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6/06-6/07               6/06-6/07              6/03-6/048/02-8/0310/01-10/02                                                                            
8/15                    6/15                   6/05-6/068/04-8/0510/03-10/04                                                                            
8/30-*                  6/17                   6/07-6/088/06-8/0710/05-10/06                                                                            
9/12-9/13               6/19                   6/09-6/108/08-8/0910/07-10/08                                                                            
10/10-*                 6/21                   6/11-6/128/10-8/1110/09-10/10                                                                            
                        6/23                   6/13-6/148/12-8/1310/11-10/12                                                                            
                        6/25                   6/15-6/168/14-8/1510/13-10/14                                                                            
                        6/27                   6/17-6/188/16-8/1710/15-10/16                                                                            
                        6/29                   6/19-6/208/18-8/1910/17-10/18                                                                            
                        7/01                   6/21-6/228/20-8/2110/19-10/20                                                                            
                        7/03                   6/23-6/248/22-8/2310/21-10/22                                                                            
                        7/05                   6/25-6/268/24-8/2510/23-10/24                                                                            
                        7/07                   6/27-6/288/26-8/2710/25-10/26                                                                            
                        7/09                   6/29-6/308/28-8/2910/27-10/28                                                                            
                        7/11                   7/01-7/028/30-8/3110/29-10/30                                                                            
                        7/13                   7/03-7/049/01-9/02                                                                                       
                        7/15                   7/05-7/069/03-9/04                                                                                       
                        7/17                   7/07-7/089/05-9/06                                                                                       
                        7/19                   7/09-7/109/07-9/08                                                                                       
                        7/21                   7/11-7/129/09-9/10                                                                                       
                        7/23                   7/13-7/149/11-9/12                                                                                       
                        7/25                   7/15-7/169/13-9/14                                                                                       
                        7/27                   7/17-7/189/15-9/16                                                                                       
                        7/29                   7/19-7/209/17-9/18                                                                                       
                        7/31                   7/21-7/229/19-9/20                                                                                       
                        8/02                   7/23-7/249/21-9/22                                                                                       
                        8/04                   7/25-7/269/23-9/24                                                                                       
                        8/06                   7/27-7/289/25-9/26                                                                                       
                        8/08                   7/29-7/309/27-9/28                                                                                       
                        8/10                   7/31-8/019/29-9/30                                                                                       
                        8/12                   .........................................................................................................
                        8/14                   .........................................................................................................
                        8/15-*                 .........................................................................................................
                        8/30-*                 .........................................................................................................
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                              Commercial Fishing Periods in Regulatory Areas 4D, 4D-N, 4E                                               
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          4D                    4D-N                                                               4E                                                   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8/15-*                  7/01-7/02              5/02-5/047/16-7/18                                                                                       
8/30-*                  7/03-7/04              5/05-5/077/19-7/21                                                                                       
                        7/05-7/06              5/08-5/107/22-7/24                                                                                       
                        7/07-7/08              5/11-5/137/25-7/27                                                                                       
                        7/09-7/10              5/14-5/167/28-7/30                                                                                       
                        7/11-7/12              5/17-5/197/31-8/02                                                                                       
                        7/13-7/14              5/20-5/228/03-8/05                                                                                       
                        7/15-7/16              5/23-5/258/06-8/08                                                                                       
                        7/17-7/18              5/26-5/288/09-8/11                                                                                       
                        7/19-7/20              5/29-5/318/12-8/14                                                                                       
                        7/21-7/22              6/01-6/038/15-8/17                                                                                       
                        7/23-7/24              6/04-6/068/18-8/20                                                                                       
                        7/25-7/26              6/07-6/098/21-8/23                                                                                       
                        7/27-7/28              6/10-6/128/24-8/26                                                                                       
                        7/29-7/30              6/13-6/158/27-8/29                                                                                       
                        7/31-8/01              6/16-6/188/30-9/01                                                                                       
                        8/02-8/03              6/19-6/219/02-9/04                                                                                       
                        8/04-8/05              6/22-6/249/05-9/07                                                                                       
                        8/06-8/07              6/25-6/279/08-9/10                                                                                       
                        8/08-8/09              6/28-6/309/11-9/13                                                                                       
                        8/10-8/11              7/01-7/039/14-9/16                                                                                       
                        8/12-8/13              7/04-7/069/17-9/19                                                                                       
                        .....................  7/07-7/099/20-9/22                                                                                       
                        .....................  7/10-7/129/23-9/25                                                                                       
                        .....................  7/13-7/159/26-9/28                                                                                       
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*Date to be announced by the Commission.                                                                                                                

    (b) Each fishing period in Area 2A shall begin at 0800 hours and 
terminate at 1800 hours Pacific Standard or Pacific Daylight Time, as 
applicable, on the dates set out in the table in paragraph (a) of this 
section, unless the Commission specifies otherwise.
    (c) The fishing period in Area 2B shall begin and terminate at 1200 
hours Pacific Standard Time, on the dates set out in the table in 
paragraph (a) of this section, unless the Commission specifies 
otherwise.
    (d) Except as provided in paragraph (e) of this section, each 
fishing period in Areas 2C, 3A, 3B, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E, and subarea 4D-
N shall begin and terminate at 1200 hours Alaska Standard or Alaska 
Daylight Time, as applicable, on the dates set out in the table in 
paragraph (a) of this section, unless the Commission specifies 
otherwise.
    (e) The 8/15 fishing period in Area 4A and the 6/15 through 8/14 
fishing periods inclusive in Area 4B shall begin at 0800 hours and 
terminate at 2000 hours Alaska Standard or Alaska Daylight Time, as 
applicable, unless the Commission specifies otherwise.
    (f) [Reserved]
    (g) All commercial fishing for halibut in Area 2A shall cease at 
1200 hours Pacific Standard Time on October 31.
    (h) All commercial fishing for halibut in Area 2B shall cease at 
1200 hours Pacific Standard Time on November 15.
    (i) All commercial fishing for halibut in Areas 2C, 3A, 3B, 4A, 4B, 
4C, 4D, and 4E shall cease at 1200 hours Alaska Standard Time on 
October 31.


Sec. 301.8  Closed periods.

    (a) No person shall engage in fishing for halibut in any regulatory 
area other than during the fishing periods set out in Sec. 301.7 of 
this part in respect of that area.
    (b) No person shall land or otherwise retain halibut caught outside 
a fishing period applicable to the regulatory area where the halibut 
was taken.
    (c) Subject to Sec. 301.17(g) and (h) of this part, this part does 
not prohibit fishing for any species of fish other than halibut during 
the closed periods.
    (d) Notwithstanding paragraph (c) of this section, no person shall 
have halibut in his possession while fishing for any other species of 
fish during the closed periods.
    (e) No vessel shall retrieve any halibut fishing gear during a 
closed period if the vessel has any halibut on board.
    (f) A vessel that has no halibut on board may retrieve any halibut 
fishing gear during the closed period after the operator notifies a 
fishery officer or representative of the Commission prior to that 
retrieval.
    (g) After retrieval of halibut gear in accordance with paragraph 
(f) of this section, the vessel shall submit to a hold inspection at 
the discretion of the fishery officer or representative of the 
Commission.
    (h) No person shall retain any halibut caught on gear retrieved 
under paragraph (f) of this section.
    (i) No person shall possess halibut aboard a vessel in a regulatory 
area during a closed period unless that vessel is in continuous transit 
to or within a port in which that halibut may be lawfully sold.


Sec. 301.9  Closed area.

    All waters in the Bering Sea that are north of latitude 
54 deg.49'00'' N. in Isanotski Strait that are enclosed by a line from 
Cape Sarichef Light (latitude 54 deg.36'00'' N., longitude 
164 deg.55'42'' W.) to a point at latitude 56 deg.20'00'' N., longitude 
168 deg.30'00'' W.; thence to a point at latitude 58 deg.21'25'' N., 
longitude 163 deg.00'00'' W.; thence to Strogonof Point (latitude 
56 deg.53'18'' N., longitude 158 deg.50'37'' W.); and then along the 
northern coasts of the Alaska Peninsula and Unimak Island to the point 
of origin at Cape Sarichef Light are closed to halibut fishing and no 
person shall fish for halibut therein or have halibut in his possession 
while in those waters except in the course of a continuous transit 
across those waters.


Sec. 301.10  Catch limits.

    (a) The total allowable catch of halibut to be taken during the 
halibut fishing periods specified in Sec. 301.7 of this part shall be 
limited to the weight expressed in pounds or metric tons shown in the 
following table:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                        Catch limits    
                                                   ---------------------
                 Regulatory area                                  Metric
                                                      Pounds      tons  
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2A................................................      178,750       81
2B................................................   10,000,000    4,536
2C................................................   11,000,000    4,990
3A................................................   26,000,000   11,794
3B................................................    4,000,000    1,814
4A................................................    1,800,000      816
4B................................................    2,100,000      953
4C................................................      700,000      318
4D................................................      665,000      302
4D-N..............................................       35,000       16
4E................................................      100,000      45 
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (b) The Commission shall determine and announce to the public the 
date on which the catch limit for each regulatory area will be taken 
and the specific dates during which fishing will be allowed in each 
regulatory area.
    (c) Notwithstanding paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section, Area 2B 
will close only when all Individual Vessel Quotas assigned by Canada's 
Department of Fisheries and Oceans are taken, or November 15, whichever 
is earlier.
    (d) If the Commission determines that the catch limit specified in 
any regulatory area in paragraph (a) of this section would be exceeded 
in an unrestricted 24-hour, 10-hour, or 12-hour fishing period as 
specified in Sec. 301.7(b), (c), or (d), the catch limit for that area 
shall be considered to have been taken, unless fishing period limits 
are implemented.
    (e) Notwithstanding paragraph (a) of this section, Areas 3A and 3B 
shall both be closed if the catch limit of 30,000,000 pounds (13,608 
mt) for the combined areas is taken.
    (f) Notwithstanding paragraph (a) of this section, Areas 4A and 4B 
shall both be closed if the catch limit of 3,900,000 pounds (1,769 mt) 
for the combined areas is taken.
    (g) Notwithstanding paragraph (a) of this section, the portion of 
Area 4E that is south and east of a line from 58 deg.21'25'' N. 
latitude, 163 deg.00'00'' W. longitude to Cape Newenham (at 
58 deg.39'00'' N. latitude, 162 deg.10'25'' W. longitude) shall be 
closed to fishing for halibut when the Commission determines that 30 
percent of the catch limit for Area 4E has been taken from this portion 
of Area 4E, except that 50 percent of the unharvested catch limit 
remaining on August 1 in the portion of Area 4E that is north and west 
of this line will be available for harvest in the portion of Area 4E 
that is south and east of this line, subject to the other provisions of 
this part.
    (h) Notwithstanding paragraph (a) of this section, any catch limit 
remaining in subarea 4D-N at the close of the August 12-13 fishing 
period, specified in Sec. 301.07 of this part, will be added to the 
Area 4D catch limit.
    (i) When, under paragraphs (b), (c), (d), (e), (f) or (g) of this 
section, the Commission has announced a date on which the catch limit 
for a regulatory area will be taken, no person shall fish for halibut 
in that area after that date for the rest of the year, unless the 
Commission has announced the reopening of that area for halibut 
fishing.


Sec. 301.11  Fishing period limits.

    (a) It shall be unlawful for any vessel to retain more halibut than 
authorized by that vessel's license in any fishing period for which the 
Commission has announced a fishing period limit.
    (b) The operator of any vessel that fishes for halibut during a 
fishing period when fishing period limits are in effect must, upon 
commencing an offload of halibut to a commercial fish processor, 
completely offload all halibut on board said vessel to that processor 
and ensure that all halibut are weighed and reported on State fish 
tickets or Federal catch reports.
    (c) The operator of any vessel that fishes for halibut during a 
fishing period when fishing period limits are in effect must, upon 
commencing an offload of halibut other than to a commercial fish 
processor, completely offload all halibut on board said vessel and 
ensure that all halibut are weighed and reported on State fish tickets 
or Federal catch reports.
    (d) The provisions of paragraph (c) of this section are not 
intended to prevent retail over-the-side sales to individual 
purchasers, so long as all the halibut on board is ultimately offloaded 
and reported.
    (e) When fishing period limits are in effect, a vessel's maximum 
retainable catch will be determined by the Commission based on:
    (1) The vessel's overall length in feet and associated length 
class;
    (2) The average performance of all vessels within that class; and
    (3) The remaining catch limit.
    (f) Length classes are shown in the following table: 

------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Overall length                        Vessel class            
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1-25...............................  A                                  
26-30..............................  B                                  
31-35..............................  C                                  
36-40..............................  D                                  
41-45..............................  E                                  
46-50..............................  F                                  
51-55..............................  G                                  
56-+...............................  H                                  
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (g) [Reserved]
    (h) Notwithstanding paragraph (e) of this section, all vessels 
fishing in Area 4C shall be limited to a maximum catch of 10,000 pounds 
(4.5 mt) of halibut per fishing period.
    (i) Notwithstanding paragraph (e) of this section, all vessels 
fishing in subarea 4D-N shall be limited to a maximum catch of 1,000 
pounds (0.45 mt) of halibut per fishing period.
    (j) Notwithstanding paragraph (e) of this section, all vessels 
fishing in Area 4E shall be limited to a maximum catch of 6,000 pounds 
(2.7 mt) of halibut per fishing period.
    (k) A vessel that fishes during a fishing period when fishing 
period limits are in effect must offload its catch before fishing in 
any subsequent fishing period.
    (l) A vessel that fishes during a fishing period when fishing 
period limits are in effect will not be allowed to serve as a tender 
until its catch has been landed and sold.
    (m) No vessel that fishes for halibut in a regulatory area for 
which a fishing period limit is in effect shall fish in any other 
regulatory area during that fishing period.


Sec. 301.12  Size limits.

    (a) No person shall take or possess any halibut that:
    (1) With the head on, is less than 32 inches (81.3 cm) as measured 
in a straight line, passing over the pectoral fin from the tip of the 
lower jaw with the mouth closed, to the extreme end of the middle of 
the tail, as illustrated in Figure 2 of this part; or
    (2) With the head removed, is less than 24 inches (61.0 cm) as 
measured from the base of the pectoral fin at its most anterior point 
to the extreme end of the middle of the tail, as illustrated in Figure 
2 of this part.
    (b) No person shall fillet, mutilate, or otherwise disfigure a 
halibut in any manner that prevents the determination of the minimum 
size of the halibut for the purpose of paragraph (a) of this section.
    (c) No person on board a vessel fishing for, or tendering, halibut 
caught in Area 2A shall possess any halibut that has had its head 
removed.


Sec. 301.13  Careful release of halibut.

    All halibut in excess of a vessel's fishing period limit, when 
fishing period limits as determined or specified in Sec. 301.11 of this 
part are in effect, or halibut below the minimum size limit specified 
in Sec. 301.12 of this part, shall be immediately released and returned 
to the sea with a minimum of injury by:
    (a) Hook straightening outboard of the roller;
    (b) Cutting the gangion near the hook; or
    (c) Carefully removing the hook by twisting it from the halibut 
with a gaff.


Sec. 301.14  Vessel clearance in Area 4.

    (a) The operator of any vessel that fishes for halibut in Areas 4A, 
4B, 4C, 4D, 4E or subarea 4D-N must obtain a vessel clearance before 
such fishing in each such area and fishing period that applies, and 
before the unloading of any halibut caught in said areas and fishing 
periods, unless specifically exempted in paragraphs (h), (i), (j), or 
(k) of this section.
    (b) The vessel clearances required under paragraph (a) of this 
section for Areas 4A, 4C, 4D, 4E or subarea 4D-N may be obtained only 
at Dutch Harbor or Akutan, AK, from a fishery officer of the United 
States, a representative of the Commission or a designated fish 
processor.
    (c) The vessel clearances required under paragraph (a) of this 
section for Area 4B may only be obtained at Nazan Bay on Atka Island, 
AK, from a fishery officer of the United States, a representative of 
the Commission or a designated fish processor.
    (d) The vessel operator shall specify the specific fishing period 
and regulatory area in which fishing will take place.
    (e) Vessel clearances required under paragraph (a) of this section 
prior to fishing in Area 4 shall be obtained within the 120-hour period 
before each of the openings in that Area, between 0800 and 1800 hours, 
local time.
    (f) No halibut shall be on board at the time of clearance required 
by paragraph (e) of this section.
    (g) Vessel clearances required under paragraph (a) of this section 
after fishing in Area 4 shall be obtained within the 120-hour period 
after each of the closings in that Area, between 0800 and 1800 hours, 
local time.
    (h) Any vessel that is used to fish for halibut only in Area 4B and 
lands its total annual halibut catch at a port within Area 4B is exempt 
from the clearance requirements of paragraph (a) of this section.
    (i) Any vessel that is used to fish for halibut only in Area 4C and 
lands its total annual halibut catch at a port within Area 4C is exempt 
from the clearance requirements of paragraph (a) of this section.
    (j) Any vessel that is used to fish for halibut only in Area 4E and 
lands its total annual halibut catch at a port within Area 4E, or the 
closed area defined in Sec. 301.9 of this part is exempt from the 
clearance requirements of paragraph (a) of this section.
    (k) Any vessel that is used to fish for halibut only in subarea 4D-
N and lands its total annual halibut catch at a port within subarea 4D-
N is exempt from the clearance requirements of paragraph (a) of this 
section.


Sec. 301.15  Logs.

    (a) The operator of any vessel that is 5 net tons (4.5 mt) or 
greater shall keep an accurate log of all halibut fishing operations 
including the date, locality, amount of gear used, and total weight of 
halibut taken daily in each locality.
    (b) The log referred to in paragraph (a) of this section shall be:
    (1) Separate from other records maintained on board the vessel;
    (2) Updated not later than 24 hours after midnight local time for 
each day fished and prior to the offloading or sale of halibut taken 
during that fishing period;
    (3) Retained for a period of 2 years by the owner or operator of 
the vessel;
    (4) Open to inspection by a fishery officer or any authorized 
representative of the Commission upon demand; and
    (5) Kept on board the vessel when engaged in halibut fishing, 
during transits to port of landing, and for 5 days following offloading 
halibut.
    (c) The poundage of any halibut that is not sold, but is utilized 
by the vessel operator, his crew members, or any other person for 
personal use, shall be recorded in the vessel's log within 24 hours of 
offloading.
    (d) No person shall make a false entry in a log referred to in this 
section.


Sec. 301.16  Receipt and possession of halibut.

    (a) No person shall receive halibut from a U.S. vessel that does 
not have the license required by Sec. 301.3 of this part on board.
    (b) A person who purchases or otherwise receives halibut from the 
owner or operator of the vessel from which that halibut was caught, 
either directly from that vessel or through another carrier, shall 
record each such purchase or receipt on State fish tickets or Federal 
catch reports, showing the date, locality, name of vessel, Commission 
license number (United States), and the name of the person from whom 
the halibut was purchased or received and the amount in pounds 
according to trade categories of the halibut.
    (c) A commercial fish processor who purchases halibut directly from 
the owner or operator of a vessel that was engaged in fishing for 
halibut during a fishing period when fishing periods were in effect 
must accept and weigh all halibut on board said vessel at the time 
offloading commences, report on State fish tickets or Federal catch 
reports the weight of halibut offloaded, and prior to purchasing the 
halibut, report to NMFS poundage in excess of a fishing period limit.
    (d) No person shall make a false entry on a State fish ticket or 
Federal catch report referred to in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this 
section.
    (e) A copy of the fish tickets or catch reports referred to in 
paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section shall be:
    (1) Retained by the person making them for a period of 2 years from 
the date the fish tickets or catch reports are made; and
    (2) Open to inspection by a fishery officer or any authorized 
representative of the Commission.
    (f) No person shall possess any halibut that he or she knows to 
have been taken in contravention of this part.
    (g) When halibut are delivered to other than a commercial fish 
processor or primary fish buyer, the records required by paragraphs (b) 
and (c) of this section shall be maintained by the operator of the 
vessel from which that halibut was caught, in compliance with paragraph 
(e) of this section.
    (h) It shall be unlawful to enter a Commission license number on a 
State fish ticket for any vessel other than the vessel actually used in 
catching the halibut reported thereon.


Sec. 301.17  Fishing gear.

    (a) No person shall fish for halibut using any gear other than hook 
and line gear.
    (b) No person shall possess halibut taken with any gear other than 
hook and line gear.
    (c) No person shall possess halibut while on board a vessel 
carrying any trawl nets or fishing pots capable of catching halibut.
    (d) All setline or skate marker buoys carried on board or used by 
any U.S. vessel used for halibut fishing shall be marked with one of 
the following:
    (1) The vessel's name;
    (2) The vessel's state license number; or
    (3) The vessel's registration number.
    (e) The markings specified in paragraph (d) of this section shall 
be in characters at least 4 inches (10.2 cm) in height and one-half 
inch (1.3 cm) in width in a contrasting color visible above the water 
and shall be maintained in legible condition.
    (f) All setline or skate marker buoys carried on board or used by a 
Canadian vessel used for halibut fishing shall be:
    (1) Floating and visible on the surface of the water; and
    (2) Legibly marked with the identification plate number of the 
vessel engaged in commercial fishing from which that setline is being 
operated.
    (g) No person on board a vessel from which setline gear was used to 
fish for any species of fish anywhere in waters described in 
Sec. 301.5(a) during the 72-hour period immediately before the opening 
of a halibut fishing period shall catch or possess halibut anywhere in 
those waters during that halibut fishing period.
    (h) No vessel from which setline gear was used to fish for any 
species of fish anywhere in waters described in Sec. 301.5(a) of this 
part during the 72-hour period immediately before the opening of a 
halibut fishing period may be used to catch or possess halibut anywhere 
in those waters during that halibut fishing period.
    (i) Notwithstanding paragraphs (g) and (h) of this section, the 72-
hour fishing restriction preceding a halibut fishing period shall not 
apply to persons and vessels fishing for halibut in Areas 4B, 4C, 4E 
and subarea 4D-N as described in Sec. 301.6 (g), (h), (j), and (k) when 
the closed period prior to the scheduled fishing period is less than 72 
hours in duration.
    (j) No person shall fish for halibut from a vessel that is equipped 
with, or that possesses on board, an automated hook stripper.
    (k) No person shall possess halibut on a vessel that is equipped 
with, or that possesses on board, an automated hook stripper.


Sec. 301.18  Retention of tagged halibut.

    (a) Nothing contained in this part prohibits any vessel at any time 
from retaining and landing a halibut that bears a Commission tag at the 
time of capture, if the halibut with the tag still attached is reported 
at the time of landing and made available for examination by a 
representative of the Commission or by a fishery officer.
    (b) After examination and removal of the tag by a representative of 
the Commission or a fishery officer, the halibut:
    (1) May be retained for personal use; or
    (2) May be sold if it complies with the provisions of Sec. 301.12.


Sec. 301.19  Supervision of unloading and weighing.

    The unloading and weighing of halibut may be subject to the 
supervision of fishery officers to assure the fulfillment of the 
provisions of this part.


Sec. 301.20  Fishing by U.S. treaty Indian tribes.

    (a) Except as provided in this section, all regulations of the 
Commission in this part apply to halibut fishing in subarea 2A-1 by 
members of U.S. treaty Indian tribes located in the State of 
Washington.
    (b) For purposes of this part, U.S. treaty Indian tribes means the 
Hoh, Jamestown Klallam, Lower Elwha Klallam, Lummi, Makah, Port Gamble 
Klallam, Quileute, Quinault, Skokomish, Suquamish, Swinomish, and 
Tulalip tribes.
    (c) Subarea 2A-1 includes all waters off the coast of Washington 
that are north of latitude 46 deg.53'18'' N. and east of longitude 
125 deg.44'00'' W., and all inland marine waters of Washington.
    (d) Commercial fishing for halibut in subarea 2A-1 is permitted 
with hook and line gear from March 1 through October 31, or until 
176,500 pounds (80.1 mt) is taken, whichever occurs first.
    (e) Fishing periods established under this section shall begin and 
terminate at such times as may be set by treaty Indian tribal 
regulations.
    (f) Ceremonial and subsistence fishing for halibut in subarea 2A-1 
is permitted with hook and line gear from January 1 to December 31, and 
is estimated to take 16,000 pounds (7.3 mt).
    (g) The 72-hour fishing restriction preceding the opening of a 
halibut fishing period specified in Sec. 301.17(h) and (i) of this part 
shall not apply to U.S. treaty Indian tribes specified in this section 
while fishing in subarea 2A-1.
    (h) No size or bag limits shall apply to the ceremonial and 
subsistence fishery except that when commercial halibut fishing is 
prohibited pursuant to paragraph (d) of this section, treaty Indians 
may take and retain not more than two halibut per person per day.
    (i) Halibut taken for ceremonial and subsistence purposes shall not 
be offered for sale, or sold.
    (j) All halibut sold by treaty Indians during the commercial 
fishing season specified in paragraph (d) of this section shall comply 
with the provisions of Sec. 301.12.
    (k) Any member of a U.S. treaty Indian tribe as defined in 
paragraph (b) of this section, who is engaged in commercial, or 
ceremonial and subsistence fishing under this part must have on his or 
her person a valid treaty Indian identification card issued pursuant to 
25 CFR part 249, subpart A, and must comply with the treaty Indian 
vessel and gear identification requirements of Final Decision No. 1 and 
subsequent orders in United States v. Washington, 384 F. Supp. 312 
(W.D. Wash. 1974).
    (l) The following table sets forth the fishing areas of each of the 
12 U.S. treaty Indian tribes fishing pursuant to this section. Within 
subarea 2A-1, boundaries of a tribe's fishing area may be revised as 
ordered by a Federal court.

TRIBE and Boundaries

HOH--Between 47 deg.54'18'' N. lat. (Quillayute River) and 
47 deg.21'00'' N. lat. (Quinault River), and east of 125 deg.44'00'' W. 
long.
Jamestown Klallam--Those locations in the Strait of Juan de Fuca and 
Puget Sound as determined in or in accordance with Final Decision No. 1 
and subsequent orders in United States v. Washington, 384 F. Supp. 312 
(W.D. Wash. 1974), and particularly at 626 F. Supp. 1486, to be places 
at which the Jamestown Klallam Tribe may fish under rights secured by 
treaties with the United States.
Lower Elwha Klallam--Those locations in the Strait of Juan de Fuca and 
Puget Sound as determined in or in accordance with Final Decision No. 1 
and subsequent orders in United States v. Washington, 384 F. Supp. 312 
(W.D. Wash. 1974), and particularly at 459 F. Supp. 1049 and 1066 and 
626 F. Supp. 1443, to be places at which the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe 
may fish under rights secured by treaties with the United States.
Lummi--Those locations in the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Puget Sound as 
determined in or in accordance with Final Decision No. 1 and subsequent 
orders in United States v. Washington, 384 F. Supp. 312 (W.D. Wash. 
1974), and particularly at 384 F. Supp. 360, as modified in 
Subproceeding No. 89-08 (W.D. Wash. February 13, 1990) (decision and 
order re: cross-motions for summary judgement), to be places at which 
the Lummi Tribe may fish under rights secured by treaties with the 
United States.
Makah--North of 48 deg.02'15'' N. lat. (Norwegian Memorial), west of 
123 deg.42'30'' W. long., and east of 125 deg.44'00'' W. long.
Port Gamble Klallam--Those locations in the Strait of Juan de Fuca and 
Puget Sound as determined in or in accordance with Final Decision No. 1 
and subsequent orders in United States v. Washington, 384 F. Supp. 312 
(W.D. Wash. 1974), and particularly at 626 F. Supp. 1442, to be places 
at which the Port Gamble Klallam Tribe may fish under rights secured by 
treaties with the United States.
Quileute--Between 48 deg.07'36'' N. lat. (Sand Point) and 
47 deg.31'42'' N. lat. (Queets River), and east of 125 deg.44'00'' W. 
long.
Quinault--Between 47 deg.40'06'' N. lat. (Destruction Island) and 
46 deg.53'18'' N. lat. (Point Chehalis), and east of 125 deg.44'00'' W. 
long.
Skokomish--Those locations in the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Puget 
Sound as determined in or in accordance with Final Decision No. 1 and 
subsequent orders in United States v. Washington, 384 F. Supp. 312 
(W.D. Wash. 1974), and particularly at 384 F. Supp. 377, to be places 
at which the Skokomish Tribe may fish under rights secured by treaties 
with the United States.
Suquamish--Those locations in the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Puget 
Sound as determined in or in accordance with Final Decision No. 1 and 
subsequent orders in United States v. Washington, 384 F. Supp. 312 
(W.D. Wash. 1974), and particularly at 459 F. Supp. 1049, to be places 
at which the Suquamish Tribe may fish under rights secured by treaties 
with the United States.
Swinomish--Those locations in the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Puget 
Sound as determined in or in accordance with Final Decision No. 1 and 
subsequent orders in United States v. Washington, 384 F. Supp. 312 
(W.D. Wash. 1974), and particularly at 459 F. Supp. 1049, to be places 
at which the Swinomish Tribe may fish under rights secured by treaties 
with the United States.
Tulalip--Those locations in the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Puget Sound 
as determined in or in accordance with Final Decision No. 1 and 
subsequent orders in United States v. Washington, 384 F. Supp. 312 
(W.D. Wash. 1974), and particularly at 626 F. Supp. 1531-1532, to be 
places at which the Tulalip Tribe may fish under rights secured by 
treaties with the United States.


Sec. 301.21  Sport fishing for halibut.

    (a) No person shall engage in sport fishing for halibut using gear 
other than a single line with no more than two hooks attached; or a 
spear.
    (b) In all waters off Alaska:
    (1) The sport fishing season is from February 1 to December 31;
    (2) The daily bag limit is two halibut of any size per person per 
day.
    (c) In all waters off British Columbia:
    (1) The sport fishing season is from February 1 to December 31;
    (2) The daily bag limit is two halibut of any size per day per 
person.
    (d) In all waters off California, Oregon, and Washington:
    (1) The total allowable catch of halibut shall be limited to:
    (i) 109,037 pounds (49.5 mt) north of Cape Falcon (45 deg.46'00'' 
N. latitude), and
    (ii) 69,713 pounds (31.6 mt) south of Cape Falcon.
    (2) The sport fishing areas, area sub-quotas, fishing dates, and 
daily bag limits implemented by NMFS are as follows except as modified 
under the inseason actions in paragraph (d)(3) of this section.
    (i) In Puget Sound and the U.S. waters in the Strait of Juan de 
Fuca, east of a line from the lighthouse on Bonilla Point on Vancouver 
Island, British Columbia (48 deg.35'44'' N. latitude, 124 deg.43'00'' 
W. longitude) to the buoy adjacent to Duntze Rock (48 deg.24'55'' N. 
latitude, 124 deg.44'50'' W. longitude) to Tatoosh Island lighthouse 
(48 deg.23'30'' N. latitude, 124 deg.44'00'' W. longitude) to Cape 
Flattery (48 deg.22'55'' N. latitude, 124 deg.43'42'' W. longitude), 
there is no sub-quota. This area is managed based on a season that is 
projected to take 35,328 pounds (16.0 mt).
    (A) The fishing season is May 2 through July 5, 6 days a week 
(closed Wednesdays).
    (B) The daily bag limit is one halibut of any size per day per 
person.
    (ii) In the area off the north Washington coast, west of the line 
described in paragraph (d)(2)(i) of this section and north of the 
Queets River (47 deg.31'42'' N. latitude), the sub-quota is 68,039 
pounds (30.9 mt).
    (A) The fishing season commences on May 3 and continues 5 days a 
week (Tuesday through Saturday) through September 30 or until the 
68,039 pounds (30.9 mt) sub-quota is estimated to have been taken and 
the season is closed by the Commission, whichever occurs first.
    (B) The daily bag limit is one halibut of any size per day per 
person.
    (C) A closure to sport fishing for halibut is established in a 
portion of this area about 19.5 nautical miles (36 km) southwest of 
Cape Flattery. The closed area is defined as the area within a 
rectangle defined by these four corners: 48 deg.17'00'' N. latitude and 
125 deg.10'00'' W. longitude; 48 deg.17'00'' N. latitude and 
125 deg.00'00'' W. longitude; 48 deg.05'00'' N. latitude and 
125 deg.10'00'' W. longitude; and, 48 deg.05'00'' N. latitude and 
125 deg.00'00'' W. longitude.
    (iii) In the area between the Queets River, WA, and Cape Falcon, OR 
(45 deg.46'00'' N. latitude), there is no sub-quota. This area is 
managed based on a season that is projected to take 5,670 pounds (2.6 
mt).
    (A) The fishing season is open 1 day per week, on Thursday, on June 
2 and June 9.
    (B) The daily bag limit is one halibut of any size per day per 
person.
    (iv) In the area off Oregon between Cape Falcon and the California 
border (42 deg.00'00'' N. latitude), the sub-quota is 67,900 pounds 
(30.8 mt).
    (A) The fishing seasons are:
    (1) Commencing May 4 and continuing 5 days a week (Wednesday 
through Sunday) until 53,641 pounds (24.3 mt) are estimated to have 
been taken and the season is closed by the Commission;
    (2) Commencing the day following the closure of the season in 
paragraph (d)(2)(iv)(A)(1) of this section, and continuing 7 days a 
week through August 5, in the area inside the 30-fathom curve nearest 
to the coastline as plotted on National Ocean Service charts numbered 
18520, 18580, and 18600 from Cape Falcon to the California border, or 
until 2,716 pounds (1.2 mt) are estimated to have been taken (except 
that any poundage remaining unharvested after the earlier season will 
be added to this season) and the season is closed by the Commission, 
whichever is earlier; and
    (3) August 6 through September 30, 5 days a week (Wednesday through 
Sunday), or until a total of 67,900 pounds (30.8 mt) for this area are 
estimated to have been taken and the season is closed by the 
Commission, whichever is earlier.
    (B) The daily bag limit is two halibut, one with a minimum overall 
size limit of 32 inches (81.3 cm) and the second with a minimum overall 
size limit of 50 inches (127.0 cm).
    (v) In the area off the California coast, there is no sub-quota. 
This area is managed based on a season that is projected to take 1,813 
pounds (0.8 mt).
    (A) The fishing season in this area is May 1 through September 30, 
7 days a week.
    (B) The daily bag limit is one halibut with a minimum overall size 
limit of 32 inches (81.3 cm).
    (3) Flexible inseason management provisions in Area 2A. (i) The 
Regional Director, NMFS Northwest Region, after consultation with the 
Chairman of the Pacific Fishery Management Council, the Commission 
Executive Director, and the Fisheries Director(s) of the affected 
state(s), is authorized to modify regulations during the season after 
determining that such action:
    (A) Is necessary to allow allocation objectives to be met; and
    (B) Will not result in exceeding the catch limit established 
preseason for each area.
    (ii) Flexible inseason management provisions include, but are not 
limited to, the following:
    (A) Modification of sport fishing periods;
    (B) Modification of sport fishing bag limits;
    (C) Modification of sport fishing size limits; and
    (D) Modification of sport fishing days per calendar week.
    (iii) Notice procedures. (A) Actions taken under paragraph (d)(3) 
of this section will be published in the Federal Register.
    (B) Actual notice of inseason management actions will be provided 
by a telephone hotline administered by the Northwest Region, NMFS, at 
800-662-9825 (May through September) and by U.S. Coast Guard 
broadcasts. These broadcasts are announced on Channel 16 VHF-FM and 
2182 kHz at frequent intervals. The announcements designate the channel 
or frequency over which the Notice to Mariners will be immediately 
broadcast. Since provisions of these regulations may be altered by 
inseason actions, sport fishermen should monitor either the telephone 
hotline or U.S. Coast Guard broadcasts for current information for the 
area in which they are fishing.
    (iv) Effective dates. (A) Any action issued under paragraph 
(d)(3)(iii) of this section is effective on the date specified in the 
publication or at the time that the action is filed for public 
inspection with the Office of the Federal Register, whichever is later.
    (B) If time allows, NMFS will invite public comment prior to the 
effective date of any inseason action filed with the Federal Register. 
If the Regional Director determines, for good cause, that an inseason 
action must be filed without affording a prior opportunity for public 
comment, public comments will be received for a period of 15 days after 
the filing of the action with the Federal Register.
    (C) Any inseason action issued under paragraph (d)(3) of this 
section will remain in effect until the stated expiration date 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.
    (v) Availability of data. The Regional Director will compile in 
aggregate form all data and other information relevant to the action 
being taken and will make them available for public review during 
normal office hours at the Northwest Regional Office, NMFS, Fisheries 
Management Division, 7600 Sand Point Way NE., Seattle, WA.
    (4) The Commission shall determine and announce closing dates to 
the public for any area in which the sub-quotas under paragraph (d)(2) 
of this section are estimated to have been taken.
    (5) When the Commission has determined that a sub-quota under 
paragraph (d)(2) of this section is estimated to have been taken, and 
has announced a date on which the season will close, no person shall 
sport fish for halibut in that area after that date for the rest of the 
year, unless a reopening of that area for sport halibut fishing is 
scheduled under paragraph (d)(2) or (d)(3) of this section, or 
announced by the Commission.
    (e) Any minimum overall size limit in this section shall be 
measured in a straight line passing over the pectoral fin from the tip 
of the lower jaw with the mouth closed, to the extreme end of the 
middle of the tail.
    (f) No person shall fillet, mutilate, or otherwise disfigure a 
halibut in any manner that prevents the determination of minimum size 
or the number of fish caught, possessed, or landed.
    (g) The possession limit for halibut in the waters off the coast of 
Alaska is two daily bag limits.
    (h) The possession limit for halibut in the waters off British 
Columbia, Washington, Oregon, and California is the same as the daily 
bag limit.
    (i) Any halibut brought aboard a vessel and not immediately 
returned to the sea with a minimum of injury will be included in the 
daily bag limit of the person catching the halibut.
    (j) No person shall be in possession of halibut on a vessel while 
fishing in a closed area.
    (k) No halibut caught by sport fishing shall be offered for sale, 
sold, traded, or bartered.
    (l) No halibut caught in sport fishing shall be possessed on board 
a vessel when other fish or shellfish aboard the said vessel are 
destined for commercial use, sale, trade, or barter.
    (m) The operator of a charter vessel shall be liable for any 
violations of this part committed by a passenger aboard said vessel.


Sec. 301.22  Previous regulations superseded.

    This part shall supersede all previous regulations of the 
Commission, and this part shall be effective each succeeding year until 
superseded.


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