[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 4 (Tuesday, January 7, 2003)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 908-935]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-32755]



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Part III





Department of Commerce





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National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration



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50 CFR Part 660



Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Fisheries off West Coast States and in 
the Western Pacific; Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery; Final Rule and 
Proposed Rule

  Federal Register / Vol. 68, No. 4 / Tuesday, January 7, 2003 / Rules 
and Regulations  

[[Page 908]]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 660

[Docket No. 021209299-2299-01; I.D. 112502B]
RIN 0648-AQ19


Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Fisheries Off West Coast States 
and in the Western Pacific; Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery; 
Groundfish Fishery Management Measures

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

ACTION: Emergency rule; groundfish fishery management measures for 
January through February 2003; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: NMFS announces the January through February 2003 management 
measures for groundfish taken in the U.S. exclusive economic zone (EEZ) 
and state waters off the coasts of Washington, Oregon, and California. 
Management measures for January through February 2003 are intended to 
prevent overfishing; rebuild overfished species; minimize incidental 
catch and discard of overfished and depleted stocks; provide equitable 
harvest opportunity for both recreational and commercial sectors; and, 
within the commercial fisheries, allow achievement of harvest 
guidelines and limited entry and open access allocations to the extent 
practicable.

DATES: Effective January 1, 2003, through February 28, 2003. Comments 
must be received no later than 5 p.m, local time (l.t.) on February 6, 
2003.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to D. Robert Lohn, Administrator, Northwest 
Region (Regional Administrator), NMFS, 7600 Sand Point Way N.E., Bldg. 
1, Seattle, WA 98115-0070, or fax to 206-526-6736; or Rodney McInnis, 
Acting Administrator, Southwest Region, NMFS, 501 West Ocean Blvd., 
Suite 4200, Long Beach, CA 90802-4213, or fax to 562-980-4047. Comments 
will not be accepted if submitted via e-mail or Internet. Information 
relevant to this rule, which includes environmental assessment/
regulatory impact review/initial regulatory flexibility analysis (EA/
RIR), is available for public review during business hours at the 
office the Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council), at 7700 NE 
Ambassador Place, Portland, OR 97220, phone: 503-820-2280. Additional 
reports referred to in this document may also be obtained from the 
Council.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Yvonne deReynier or Becky Renko 
(Northwest Region, NMFS), phone: 206-526-6140; fax: 206-526-6736 and; 
e-mail: [email protected], [email protected] or Svein 
Fougner (Southwest Region, NMFS) phone: 562-980-4000; fax: 562-980-4047 
and; e-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Electronic Access

    This emergency rule also is accessible via the Internet at the 
Office of the Federal Register's website at http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/aces/aces140.html. Background information and documents are 
available at the NMFS Northwest Region website at http://www.nwr.noaa.gov/1sustfsh/gdfsh01.htm and at the Council's website at 
http://www.pcouncil.org.

Background

    The Pacific Coast groundfish fishery management plan (FMP) requires 
that fishery specifications for groundfish be annually evaluated, and 
revised as necessary, that optimum yields (OYs) be specified for 
species or species groups in need of particular protection, and that 
management measures designed to achieve the OYs be published in the 
Federal Register and made effective by January 1, the beginning of the 
fishing year. The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management 
Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) and the FMP require that NMFS implement 
actions to prevent overfishing and to rebuild overfished stocks.
    Throughout 2002, the Council has been developing revisions to its 
specifications and management measures process, through proposed 
Amendment 17 to the FMP. Among other procedural changes, Amendment 17 
would revise the NMFS publication process for the specifications and 
management measures. Historically, the Council has developed annual 
specifications and management measures in a public two-meeting process 
(formerly at its September and November meetings) followed by a NMFS 
final action published in the Federal Register and made available for 
public comment and correction after the effective date of the action. 
Each year, specifications and management measures were effective until 
the specifications and management measures for the following year are 
published and effective. In 2001, the agency was challenged on this 
process in Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc. v.Evans, 168 F.Supp. 
2d 1149 (N.D.Cal., 2001) and the Court ordered NMFS to provide prior 
public notice and allow public comment on the annual specifications.
    Amendment 17 was recently adopted by the Council, but has not yet 
been submitted for NMFS for approval. NMFS must still comply with the 
Court's Order for a public notice and comment period on the 2003 
specifications and management measures. The Council had its initial 
meeting regarding these measures in June, and finalized its 2003 
specifications and management measures recommendations at its September 
9-13, 2002, meeting in Portland, OR. The Council could not act earlier 
in the year because the new science upon which the specifications and 
management measures were based was not ready until June. For 2003, the 
Council has recommended implementing depth-based management measures, 
with large closed areas intended to prevent vessels from operating in 
waters where overfished species are commonly found. NMFS and the 
Council felt that these management changes were significant enough to 
warrant analysis via an environmental impact statement (EIS). An EIS is 
a National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) analysis document that 
requires a series of public review and comment periods at different 
document drafting stages. Given the complexity of the annual 
specifications and management measures package and the need for EIS-
related public review periods, NMFS did not have enough time to publish 
a proposed rule on the Council's recommendations, receive public 
comments, and implement a final rule by January 1, 2003. Thus, NMFS is 
publishing this emergency rule under the Magnuson-Stevens Act emergency 
authority at section 305(c), which finalizes and makes effective the 
groundfish management measures for January 1 through February 28, 2003.
    Absent a final rule by January 1, 2003, management measures for 
January and February 2003 would revert to those that were in place for 
January-February 2002. There are several species for which reverting to 
a management regime without depth-based closures at the beginning of 
the year could result in either exceeding the annual commercial OYs or 
very early attainment of OYs during the year. While these circumstances 
could jeopardize manager's ability to keep landings within rebuilding 
targets for some species, they could also lead to significant foregone 
revenue from other

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target species whose fisheries might also have to be closed 
prematurely.
    NMFS implemented an emergency rule on September 10, 2002 (67 FR 
57973, September 13, 2002), that opened trawling north of 40[deg]10' N. 
lat. inshore of 100 fm (183 m) and offshore of 250 fm (457 m), while 
leaving a large area closed to protect overfished species. Without 
these depth-based management measures, the northern trawl fishery would 
have closed entirely for September-December 2002 in order to protect 
darkblotched rockfish, an overfished species. NMFS expects that failing 
to implement depth-based management measures for January-February 2003 
could similarly jeopardize fisheries participation later in the fishing 
year.
    Specifications and management measures proposed for March-December 
2003 in the Proposed Rules section of this issue of the Federal 
Register combined with this emergency rule are intended to protect 
overfished groundfish species while allowing harvesters some access to 
healthy groundfish stocks. Specifications and management measures 
proposed for 2003 in the Proposed Rule section of this issue of the 
Federal Register are designed to rebuild overfished stocks through 
constraining direct and incidental mortality and areas of fishing 
operation to prevent overfishing, and to achieve as much of the OYs as 
practicable for healthier groundfish stocks managed under the FMP. That 
proposed rule describes the rationale for the 2003 groundfish 
management measures, which include trip, bag and size limits, time/area 
closures, and gear-and area-specific regulations, including the 
management measures implemented in this emergency rule.
    The Council adopted Amendment 17 during its October 28 - November 
1, 2002, meeting in Foster City, CA. With that schedule, NMFS expects 
to review Amendment 17 for final implementation in early 2003, which 
will formalize a rulemaking process that will allow adequate time for 
both the Council's recommendations development and NEPA process and 
NMFS notice and comment process on specifications and management 
measure packages. These anticipated process changes should reduce the 
need for future management measure implementation via emergency rule.

IV. NMFS Actions

    For the reasons stated above, the Assistant Administrator for 
Fisheries, NOAA (Assistant Administrator or AA), concurs with the 
Council's recommendations and announces the following management 
actions for January 1 through February 28, 2003.

A. General Definitions and Provisions

    The following definitions and provisions apply to the 2003 
management measures, unless otherwise specified in a subsequent Federal 
Register document:
    (1) Trip limits. Trip limits are used in the commercial fishery to 
specify the amount of fish that may legally be taken and retained, 
possessed, or landed, per vessel, per fishing trip, or cumulatively per 
unit of time, or the number of landings that may be made from a vessel 
in a given period of time, as follows:
    (a) A per-trip limit is the total allowable amount of a groundfish 
species or species group, by weight, or by percentage of weight of 
legal fish on board, that may be taken and retained, possessed, or 
landed per vessel from a single fishing trip.
    (b) A daily trip limit is the maximum amount that may be taken and 
retained, possessed, or landed per vessel in 24 consecutive hours, 
starting at 0001 hours l.t. Only one landing of groundfish may be made 
in that 24-hour period. Daily trip limits may not be accumulated during 
multiple day trips.
    (c) A weekly trip limit is the maximum amount that may be taken and 
retained, possessed, or landed per vessel in 7 consecutive days, 
starting at 0001 hours l.t. on Sunday and ending at 2400 hours l.t. on 
Saturday. Weekly trip limits may not be accumulated during multiple 
week trips. If a calendar week includes days within two different 
months, a vessel is not entitled to two separate weekly limits during 
that week.
    (d) A cumulative trip limit is the maximum amount that may be taken 
and retained, possessed, or landed per vessel in a specified period of 
time without a limit on the number of landings or trips, unless 
otherwise specified. The cumulative trip limit periods for limited 
entry and open access fisheries, which start at 0001 hours l.t. and end 
at 2400 hours l.t., are as follows, unless otherwise specified:
    (i) The 2-month periods are: January 1-February 28, March 1-April 
30, May 1-June 30, July 1-August 31, September 1-October 31, and, 
November 1-December 31.
    (ii) One month means the first day through the last day of the 
calendar month.
    (iii) One week means 7 consecutive days, Sunday through Saturday.
    (2) Fishing ahead. Unless the fishery is closed, a vessel that has 
landed its cumulative or daily limit may continue to fish on the limit 
for the next legal period, so long as no fish (including, but not 
limited to, groundfish with no trip limits, shrimp, prawns, or other 
nongroundfish species or shellfish) are landed (offloaded) until the 
next legal period. As stated at 50 CFR 660.302 (in the definition of 
``Landing''), once the offloading of any species begins, all fish 
aboard the vessel are counted as part of the landing. Fishing ahead is 
not allowed during or before a closed period (see paragraph A.(7)). See 
paragraph A.(9) for information on inseason changes to limits.
    (3) Weights. All weights are round weights or round-weight 
equivalents unless otherwise specified.
    (4) Percentages. Percentages are based on round weights, and, 
unless otherwise specified, apply only to legal fish on board.
    (5) Legal fish. ``Legal fish'' means fish legally taken and 
retained, possessed, or landed in accordance with the provisions of 50 
CFR part 660, the Magnuson-Stevens Act, any document issued under part 
660, and any other regulation promulgated or permit issued under the 
Magnuson-Stevens Act.
    (6) Size limits and length measurement. Unless otherwise specified, 
size limits in the commercial and recreational groundfish fisheries 
apply to the ``total length,'' which is the longest measurement of the 
fish without mutilation of the fish or the use of force to extend the 
length of the fish. No fish with a size limit may be retained if it is 
in such condition that its length has been extended or cannot be 
determined by these methods. For conversions not listed here, contact 
the state where the fish will be landed.
    (a) Whole fish. For a whole fish, total length is measured from the 
tip of the snout (mouth closed) to the tip of the tail in a natural, 
relaxed position.
    (b) ``Headed'' fish. For a fish with the head removed (``headed''), 
the length is measured from the origin of the first dorsal fin (where 
the front dorsal fin meets the dorsal surface of the body closest to 
the head) to the tip of the upper lobe of the tail; the dorsal fin and 
tail must be left intact.
    (c) Filets. A filet is the flesh from one side of a fish extending 
from the head to the tail, which has been removed from the body (head, 
tail, and backbone) in a single continuous piece. Filet lengths may be 
subject to size limits for some groundfish taken in the recreational 
fishery off California (see paragraph D.(1)). A filet is measured along 
the length of the longest part of the filet in a relaxed position; 
stretching or otherwise manipulating the filet to increase its length 
is not permitted.
    (d) Sablefish weight limit conversions. The following conversions 
apply to both

[[Page 910]]

the limited entry and open access fisheries when trip limits are 
effective for those fisheries. For headed and gutted (eviscerated) 
sablefish:
    (i) The minimum size for headed sablefish, which corresponds to 20 
inches (51 cm) tl for whole fish, is 14 inches (36 cm).
    (ii) The conversion factor established by the state where the fish 
is or will be landed will be used to convert the processed weight to 
round weight for purposes of applying the trip limit. (The conversion 
factor currently is 1.6 in Washington, Oregon, and California. However, 
the state conversion factors may differ; fishers should contact fishery 
enforcement officials in the State where the fish will be landed to 
determine that State's official conversion factor.)
    (e) Lingcod size and weight conversions. The following conversions 
apply in both limited entry and open access fisheries.
    (i) Size conversion. For lingcod with the head removed, the minimum 
size limit is 19.5 inches (49.5 cm), which corresponds to 24 inches (61 
cm) total length for whole fish.
    (ii) Weight conversion. The conversion factor established by the 
state where the fish is or will be landed will be used to convert the 
processed weight to round weight for purposes of applying the trip 
limit. (The states' conversion factors may differ, and fishers should 
contact fishery enforcement officials in the state where the fish will 
be landed to determine that state's official conversion factor.) If a 
state does not have a conversion factor for headed and gutted lingcod, 
or lingcod that is only gutted; the following conversion factors will 
be used. To determine the round weight, multiply the processed weight 
times the conversion factor.
    (A) Headed and gutted. The conversion factor for headed and gutted 
lingcod is 1.5.
    (B) Gutted, with the head on. The conversion factor for lingcod 
that has only been gutted is 1.1.
    (7) Closure. ``Closure,'' when referring to closure of a fishery, 
means that taking and retaining, possessing, or landing the particular 
species or species group is prohibited. (See 50 CFR 660.302.) Unless 
otherwise announced in the Federal Register, offloading must begin 
before the time the fishery closes. The provisions at paragraph A.(2) 
for fishing ahead do not apply during a closed period. It is unlawful 
to transit through a closed area with the prohibited species on board, 
no matter where that species was caught, except as provided for in the 
CCA at A.(19).
    (8) Fishery management area. The fishery management area for these 
species is the EEZ off the coasts of Washington, Oregon, and California 
between 3 and 200 nm offshore, bounded on the north by the Provisional 
International Boundary between the United States and Canada, and 
bounded on the south by the International Boundary between the United 
States and Mexico. All groundfish possessed between 0-200 nm offshore 
or landed in Washington, Oregon, or California are presumed to have 
been taken and retained from the EEZ, unless otherwise demonstrated by 
the person in possession of those fish.
    (9) Routine management measures. Most trip, bag, and size limits, 
and area closures in the groundfish fishery have been designated 
``routine,'' which means they may be changed rapidly after a single 
Council meeting. (See 50 CFR 660.323(b)). Council meetings in 2002 will 
be held in the months of March, April, June, September, and November. 
Inseason changes to routine management measures are announced in the 
Federal Register. Information concerning changes to routine management 
measures is available from the NMFS Northwest and Southwest Regional 
Offices (see ADDRESSES). Changes to trip limits are effective at the 
times stated in the Federal Register. Once a change is effective, it is 
illegal to take and retain, possess, or land more fish than allowed 
under the new trip limit. This means that, unless otherwise announced 
in the Federal Register, offloading must begin before the time a 
fishery closes or a more restrictive trip limit takes effect.
    (10) Limited entry limits. It is unlawful for any person to take 
and retain, possess, or land groundfish in excess of the landing limit 
for the open access fishery without having a valid limited entry permit 
for the vessel affixed with a gear endorsement for the gear used to 
catch the fish (50 CFR 660.306(p)).
    (11) Operating in both limited entry and open access fisheries. The 
open access trip limit applies to any fishing conducted with open 
access gear, even if the vessel has a valid limited entry permit with 
an endorsement for another type of gear. A vessel that operates in both 
the open access and limited entry fisheries is not entitled to two 
separate trip limits for the same species. If a vessel has a limited 
entry permit and uses open access gear, but the open access limit is 
smaller than the limited entry limit, the open access limit cannot be 
exceeded and counts toward the limited entry limit. If a vessel has a 
limited entry permit and uses open access gear, but the open access 
limit is larger than the limited entry limit, the smaller limited entry 
limit applies, even if taken entirely with open access gear.
    (12) Operating in areas with different trip limits. Trip limits for 
a species or a species group may differ in different geographic areas 
along the coast. The following ``crossover'' provisions apply to 
vessels operating in different geographical areas that have different 
cumulative or ``per trip'' trip limits for the same species or species 
group. Such crossover provisions do not apply to species that are 
subject only to daily trip limits, or to the trip limits for black 
rockfish off Washington (see 50 CFR 660.323(a)(1)). In 2003, the 
cumulative trip limit periods for the limited entry and open access 
fisheries are specified in paragraph A(1)(d), but may be changed during 
the year if announced in the Federal Register.
    (a) Going from a more restrictive to a more liberal area. If a 
vessel takes and retains any groundfish species or species group of 
groundfish in an area where a more restrictive trip limit applies 
before fishing in an area where a more liberal trip limit (or no trip 
limit) applies, then that vessel is subject to the more restrictive 
trip limit for the entire period to which that trip limit applies, no 
matter where the fish are taken and retained, possessed, or landed.
    (b) Going from a more liberal to a more restrictive area. If a 
vessel takes and retains a groundfish species or species group in an 
area where a higher trip limit or no trip limit applies, and takes and 
retains, possesses or lands the same species or species group in an 
area where a more restrictive trip limit applies, that vessel is 
subject to the more restrictive trip limit for the entire period to 
which that trip limit applies, no matter where the fish are taken and 
retained, possessed, or landed.
    (c) Operating in two different areas where a species or species 
group is managed with different types of trip limits. During the 
fishing year, NMFS may implement management measures for a species or 
species group that set different types of trip limits (for example, per 
trip limits versus cumulative trip limits) for different areas. If a 
vessel fishes for a species or species group that is managed with 
different types of trip limits in two different areas within the same 
cumulative limit period, then that vessel is subject to the most 
restrictive overall cumulative limit for that species, regardless of 
where fishing occurs.
    (d) Minor rockfish. Several rockfish species are designated with 
species-specific limits on one side of the 40[deg]10' N. lat. 
management line, and are

[[Page 911]]

included as part of a minor rockfish complex on the other side of the 
line.
    (i) If a vessel takes and retains minor slope rockfish north of 
38[deg] N. lat., that vessel is also permitted to take and retain, 
possess or land splitnose rockfish up to its cumulative limit south of 
38[deg] N. lat., even if splitnose rockfish were a part of the landings 
from minor slope rockfish taken and retained north of 38[deg] N. lat. 
[Note: A vessel that takes and retains minor slope rockfish on both 
sides of the management line in a single cumulative limit period is 
subject to the more restrictive cumulative limit for minor slope 
rockfish during that period.]
    (ii) If a vessel takes and retains minor slope rockfish south of 
38[deg] N. lat., that vessel is also permitted to take and retain, 
possess or land Pacific ocean perch (POP) up to its cumulative limit 
north of 38[deg] N. lat., even if POP were a part of the landings from 
minor slope rockfish taken and retained south of 38[deg] N. lat. [Note: 
A vessel that takes and retains minor slope rockfish on both sides of 
the management line in a single cumulative limit period is subject to 
the more restrictive cumulative limit for minor slope rockfish during 
that period.]
    (iii) If a vessel takes and retains minor shelf rockfish south of 
40[deg]10' N. lat., that vessel is also permitted to take and retain, 
possess, or land yellowtail rockfish up to its cumulative limits north 
of 40[deg]10' N. lat., even if yellowtail rockfish is part of the 
landings from minor shelf rockfish taken and retained south of 
40[deg]10' N. lat. Widow rockfish is included in overall shelf rockfish 
limits for all gear groups. [Note: A vessel that takes and retains 
minor shelf rockfish on both sides of the management line in a single 
cumulative limit period is subject to the more restrictive cumulative 
limit for minor shelf rockfish during that period.]
    (e) ``DTS complex.'' For 2003, there are differential trip limits 
for the ``DTS complex'' (Dover sole, shortspine thornyhead, longspine 
thornyhead, sablefish) north and south of the management line at 
40[deg]10' N. lat. Vessels operating in the limited entry trawl fishery 
are subject to the crossover provisions in this paragraph A.(12) when 
making landings that include any one of the four species in the ``DTS 
complex.''
    (f) Flatfish complex. For 2003, there are differential trip limits 
for the flatfish complex (butter, curlfin, English, flathead, petrale, 
rex, rock, and sand soles, Pacific sanddab, and starry flounder) north 
and south of the management line at 40[deg]10' N. lat. Vessels 
operating in the limited entry trawl fishery are subject to the 
crossover provisions in this paragraph A.(12) when making landings that 
include any one of the species in the flatfish complex.
    (13) Sorting. It is unlawful for any person to ``fail to sort, 
prior to the first weighing after offloading, those groundfish species 
or species groups for which there is a trip limit, size limit, quota, 
or commercial OY, if the vessel fished or landed in an area during a 
time when such trip limit, size limit, commercial optimum yield, or 
quota applied.'' This provision applies to both the limited entry and 
open access fisheries (see 50 CFR 660.306(h).) The following species 
must be sorted in 2003:
    (a) For vessels with a limited entry permit:
    (i) Coastwide widow rockfish, canary rockfish, darkblotched 
rockfish, yelloweye rockfish, shortbelly rockfish, minor nearshore 
rockfish, minor shelf rockfish, minor slope rockfish, shortspine and 
longspine thornyhead, Dover sole, arrowtooth flounder, rex sole, 
petrale sole, arrowtooth flounder, other flatfish, lingcod, sablefish, 
and Pacific whiting [Note: Although both yelloweye and darkblotched 
rockfish are considered minor rockfish managed under the minor shelf 
and minor slope rockfish complexes, respectively, they have separate 
OYs and therefore must be sorted by species.]
    (ii) North of 40[deg]10' N. lat.- POP, yellowtail rockfish, and, 
for fixed gear, black rockfish and blue rockfish;
    (iii) South of 40[deg]10' N. lat.- minor shallow nearshore 
rockfish, minor deeper nearshore rockfish, chilipepper rockfish, 
bocaccio rockfish, splitnose rockfish, and Pacific sanddabs.
    (b) For open access vessels (vessels without a limited entry
    permit):
    (i) Coastwide-widow rockfish, canary rockfish, darkblotched 
rockfish, yelloweye rockfish, minor nearshore rockfish, minor shelf 
rockfish, minor slope rockfish, Dover sole, arrowtooth flounder, 
petrale sole, rex sole, other flatfish, lingcod, sablefish, Pacific 
whiting, and Pacific sanddabs;
    (ii) North of 40[deg]10' N. lat.- black rockfish, blue rockfish, 
POP, yellowtail rockfish;
    (iii) South of 40[deg]10' N. lat.- minor shallow nearshore 
rockfish, minor deeper nearshore rockfish, chilipepper rockfish, 
bocaccio rockfish, splitnose rockfish;
    (iv) South of Point Conception--thornyheads.
    (14) Limited Entry Trawl Gear Restrictions. Limited entry trip 
limits may vary depending on the type of trawl gear that is on board a 
vessel during a fishing trip: large footrope, small footrope, or 
midwater trawl gear. No more than one type of trawl gear may be on 
board during any single fishing trip.
    (a) Types of trawl gear--Large footrope, small footrope, and 
midwater or pelagic trawl gears are defined at 50 CFR 660.302 and 
660.322(b).
    (b) Cumulative trip limits and prohibitions by trawl gear type--(i) 
Large footrope trawl. If Table 3 does not provide a large footrope 
trawl cumulative or trip limit for a particular species or species 
group, it is unlawful to take and retain, possess or land that species 
or species group if large footrope gear is on board. It is unlawful for 
any vessel using large footrope gear to exceed large footrope gear 
limits for any species or to use large footrope gear to exceed small 
footrope gear or midwater trawl gear limits for any species. It is 
unlawful for any vessel using large footrope gear or that has large 
footrope trawl gear on board to fish for groundfish shoreward of the 
Rockfish Conservation Areas (RCAs) defined at paragraph (19) of this 
section. The presence of rollers or bobbins larger than 8 inches (20 
cm) in diameter on board the vessel, even if not attached to a trawl, 
will be considered to mean a large footrope trawl is on board.
    (ii) Small footrope or midwater trawl gear. Cumulative trip limits 
for canary rockfish, chilipepper rockfish, widow rockfish, yellowtail 
rockfish, bocaccio, minor shelf rockfish, minor nearshore rockfish, and 
lingcod, as indicated in Table 3 under NMFS Actions, are allowed only 
if small footrope gear or midwater trawl gear is used, and if that gear 
meets the specifications in paragraphs A.(14).
    (iii) Midwater trawl gear. Higher yellowtail and widow rockfish 
cumulative trip limits are available for limited entry vessels using 
midwater trawl gear. Each landing that contains yellowtail or widow 
rockfish is attributed to the gear on board with the most restrictive 
trip limit for those species. Landings attributed to small footrope 
trawl must not exceed the small footrope limit, and landings attributed 
to midwater trawl must not exceed the midwater trawl limit. If a vessel 
has landings attributed to both types of trawls during a cumulative 
trip limit period, all landings are counted toward the most restrictive 
gear-specific cumulative limit.
    (iv) More than one type of trawl gear on board; trawl gear and non-
trawl gear on board. The cumulative trip limits in Table 3 of Section 
IV must not be exceeded. For the first time in 2003, it is prohibited 
to have more than one type

[[Page 912]]

of trawl gear on board. It is prohibited to have more than one type of 
limited entry trawl gear on board and it is prohibited to have both 
limited entry trawl gear and exempted trawl gear on board. It is also 
prohibited to have both trawl gear and non-trawl (limited entry or open 
access) gear on board at the same time.
    (c) State landing receipts. Washington, Oregon, and California will 
require the type of trawl gear on board to be recorded on the State 
landing receipt(s) for each trip or on an attachment to the State 
landing receipt.
    (d) Gear inspection. All trawl gear and trawl gear components, 
including unattached rollers or bobbins, must be readily accessible and 
made available for inspection at the request of an authorized officer. 
No trawl gear may be removed from the vessel prior to offloading. All 
footropes shall be uncovered and clearly visible except when in use for 
fishing.
    (15) Platooning--limited entry trawl vessels. Limited entry trawl 
vessels are automatically in the ``A'' platoon, unless the ``B'' 
platoon is indicated on the limited entry permit. If a vessel is in the 
``A'' platoon, its cumulative trip limit periods begin and end on the 
beginning and end of a calendar month as in the past. No more than one 
trawl permit may be registered to a vessel unless a permit is endorsed 
for both trawl and either longline or pot gear and is being stacked 
under Sec.  660.335(c) for use in the limited entry fixed gear primary 
sablefish fishery. If a vessel is registered for use with more than one 
permit with a trawl endorsement through the fixed gear permit stacking 
program, then the vessel owner must designate one trawl-endorsed permit 
as his base trawl permit and may only fish in the platoon associated 
with that base trawl permit. If a limited entry trawl permit is 
authorized for the ``B'' platoon, then cumulative trip limit periods 
will begin on the 16th of the month (generally 2 weeks later than for 
the ``A'' platoon), unless otherwise specified.
    (a) For a vessel in the ``B'' platoon, cumulative trip limit 
periods begin on the 16th of the month at 0001 hours, l.t., and end at 
2400 hours, l.t., on the 15th of the month. Therefore, the management 
measures announced herein that are effective on January 1, 2003, for 
the ``A'' platoon will be effective on January 16, 2003, for the ``B'' 
platoon. The effective date of any inseason changes to the cumulative 
trip limits also will be delayed for 2 weeks for the ``B'' platoon, 
unless otherwise specified.
    (b) A vessel authorized to operate in the ``B'' platoon may take 
and retain, but may not land, groundfish from January 1, 2003, through 
January 15, 2003.
    (c) A vessel authorized to operate in the ``B'' platoon will have 
the same cumulative trip limits for the November 16, 2003, through 
December 31, 2003, period as a vessel operating in the ``A'' platoon 
has for the November 1, 2002, through December 31, 2002 period.
    (16) Permit transfers. Limited entry permit transfers are to take 
effect no earlier than the first day of a major cumulative limit period 
following the day NMFS receives the transfer form and original permit 
(50 CFR 660.335(e)(3)). Those days in 2003 are January 1, March 1, May 
1, July 1, September 1, and November 1, and are delayed by 15 days 
(starting on the 16th of a month) for the ``B'' platoon.
    (17) Exempted fisheries. U.S. vessels operating under an exempted 
fishing permit (EFP) issued under 50 CFR part 600 are also subject to 
these restrictions, unless otherwise provided in the permit. EFPs may 
include the collecting of scientific samples of groundfish species that 
would otherwise be prohibited for retention.
    (18) Application of requirements. Paragraphs B. and C. pertain to 
the commercial groundfish fishery, but not to Washington coastal tribal 
fisheries, which are described in Section V. The provisions in 
paragraphs B. and C. that are not covered under the headings ``limited 
entry'' or ``open access'' apply to all vessels in the commercial 
fishery that take and retain groundfish, unless otherwise stated. 
Paragraph D. pertains to the recreational fishery.
    (19) Rockfish Conservation Areas. For 2003, the Council has 
introduced several RCAs and a Yelloweye Rockfish Conservation Area 
(YRCA) and has retained the Cowcod Conservation Area (CCAs) used in 
2001 and 2002. Collectively, any geographically defined area where 
specific fishing activities are prohibited (closed) or otherwise 
restricted intended to protect a particular groundfish species or 
species group or intended to protect a complex of species is referred 
to as a Groundfish Conservation Area. The YRCA, the CCAs, and the 
larger depth-based RCAs are Groundfish Conservation Areas. Larger RCAs 
intended to protect a complex of species, such as overfished shelf 
rockfish species, have boundaries defined by a series of coordinates 
intended to approximate particular depth contours, such as 100 fm (183 
m), 150 fm (274 m), 250 fm (457,) etc. Different gear types or fishing 
sectors may have RCAs with differing boundaries.
    (a) Yelloweye Rockfish Conservation Area. Recreational fishing for 
groundfish is prohibited within the YRCA. It is unlawful for 
recreational fishing vessels to take, retain, possess, or land 
groundfish inside the YRCA. The YRCA is a C-shaped area off the 
northern Washington coast that is bound by straight lines connecting 
all of the following points in the order listed:
    48[deg]00' N. lat.; 124[deg]59' W. long.;
    48[deg]00' N. lat.; 125[deg]18' W. long.;
    48[deg]04' N. lat.; 124[deg]59' W. long.;
    48[deg]04' N. lat.; 125[deg]18' W. long.;
    48[deg]04' N. lat.; 125[deg]11' W. long.;
    48[deg]04' N. lat.; 125[deg]18' W. long.;
    48[deg]18' N. lat.; 125[deg]11' W. long.;
    48[deg]18' N. lat.; 125[deg]18' W. long.;
    and connecting back to 48[deg]00' N. lat.; 124[deg]59' W. long.
    (b) Cowcod Conservation Areas. The coordinates of the Cowcod 
Conservation Areas (CCAs) are defined at Sec.  660.304(c). Recreational 
and commercial fishing for groundfish is prohibited within the CCAs, 
except that recreational and commercial fishing for rockfish and 
lingcod is permitted in waters inside 20 fathoms (36.9 m). It is 
unlawful to take and retain, possess, or land groundfish inside the 
CCAs, except for rockfish and lingcod taken in waters inside the 20-
fathom (36.9 m) depth contour, when those waters are open to fishing. 
Commercial fishing vessels may transit through the Western CCA with 
their gear stowed and groundfish on board only in a corridor through 
the Western CCA bounded on the north by the latitude line at 
33[deg]00'30'' N. lat., and bounded on the south by the latitude line 
at 32[deg]59'30'' N. lat.
    (c) Limited entry trawl groundfish coastwide and open access 
exempted trawl south of 40[deg]10' N. lat. Conservation Area.
    (i) The trawl RCA is closed to limited entry groundfish trawl 
fishing coastwide and to open access exempted trawl fishing (except for 
pink shrimp trawling) south of 40[deg]10' N. lat. Fishing with limited 
entry groundfish trawl gear is prohibited within the trawl RCA north of 
40[deg]10' N. lat. and fishing with any trawl gear is prohibited within 
the trawl RCA south of 40[deg]10' N. lat., unless that vessel is 
trawling for pink shrimp. Coastwide, it is unlawful to take and retain, 
possess, or land groundfish taken with limited entry groundfish trawl 
gear in the trawl RCA. South of 40[deg]10' N. lat., it is unlawful to 
take and retain, possess, or land any species of fish taken with any 
type of trawl gear in the trawl RCA. Trawl vessels may transit through 
the trawl RCA, with or without groundfish on board, provided all 
groundfish trawl gear is stowed either: (1) below deck; or (2) if the 
gear cannot readily be moved, in a secured and covered manner, detached 
from all

[[Page 913]]

towing lines, so that it is rendered unusable for fishing; or (3) 
remaining on deck uncovered if the trawl doors are hung from their 
stanchions and the net is disconnected from the doors. These 
restrictions do not apply to vessels fishing with midwater trawl gear 
for Pacific whiting during the primary whiting season or taking and 
retaining yellowtail rockfish or widow rockfish in association with 
Pacific whiting during the primary whiting season caught with midwater 
trawl gear or to taking and retaining yellowtail or widow rockfish with 
midwater trawl gear when mid-water gear trip limits are authorized for 
those species (November-December 2003.) If a vessel fishes in an RCA, 
it may not participate in any fishing on that trip that is inconsistent 
with the restrictions that apply within the RCA. For example, if a 
vessel participates in the pink shrimp fishery within the RCA, the 
vessel cannot on the same trip participate in the DTS fishery outside 
of the RCA. Nothing in these Federal regulations supercede any State 
regulations that may prohibit trawling shoreward of the 3 nm State 
waters boundary line.
    (ii) Between the U.S. border with Canada and 40[deg]10' N. lat., 
the trawl RCA is defined along an eastern, inshore boundary 
approximating 100 fm (183 m) in January through June and October 
through December, and approximating 75 fm (137 m) in July and August. 
Between 40[deg]10' N. lat. and 34[deg]27' N. lat., the trawl RCA is 
defined along an eastern, inshore boundary approximating 50 fm (91 m) 
in January and February and 60 fm (110 m) in March through December. 
Between 34[deg]27' N. lat. and the U.S. border with Mexico, along the 
mainland coast of California, the trawl RCA is defined along an 
eastern, inshore boundary approximating 100 fm (183 m) throughout the 
year. Between 34[deg]27' N. lat. and the U.S. border with Mexico, 
adjacent to the islands offshore of California, the trawl RCA is 
defined along an inshore boundary approximating 20 fm (37 m) throughout 
the year. Boundary coordinates are provided below at paragraph (e) of 
this section.
    (iii) Between the U.S. border with Canada and 38[deg] N. lat., the 
trawl RCA is defined along a western, offshore boundary approximating 
250 fm (457 m) in March through October, and approximating 250 fm (457 
m) with some modifications to provide open areas to allow winter 
petrale sole fishing in January, February, November, and December. 
Between 38[deg] N. lat. and the U.S. border with Mexico, the trawl RCA 
is defined along a western, offshore boundary approximating 150 fm (274 
m) throughout the year. Boundary coordinates are provided below at 
paragraph (e) of this section.
    (d) Non-trawl (limited entry fixed gear and open access nontrawl 
gears) Groundfish Conservation Area.
    (i) The non-trawl RCA is closed to non-trawl gear (limited entry or 
open access longline and pot or trap, open access hook-and-line, pot or 
trap, gillnet, set net, trammel net and spear) fishing for groundfish. 
Fishing with non-trawl gear is prohibited within the non-trawl gear 
RCA. It is unlawful to take and retain, possess, or land groundfish 
taken with non-trawl gear in the non-trawl gear RCA. Limited entry 
fixed gear and open access non-trawl gear vessels may transit through 
the non-trawl gear RCA, with or without groundfish on board. These 
restrictions do not apply to vessels fishing for species other than 
groundfish with non-trawl gear. If a vessel fishes in an RCA, it may 
not participate in any fishing on that trip that is inconsistent with 
the restrictions that apply within the RCA. For example, if a vessel 
participates in the salmon troll fishery within the RCA, the vessel 
cannot on the same trip participate in the sablefish fishery outside of 
the RCA.
    (ii) Between the U.S. border with Canada and 46[deg]16' N. lat., 
the non-trawl gear RCA extends to the shoreline. Between 46[deg]16' N. 
lat. and 40[deg]10' N. lat., the non-trawl gear RCA is defined along an 
eastern, inshore boundary approximating 27 fm (49 m) throughout the 
year. Between 40[deg]10' N. lat. and the U.S. border with Mexico, the 
non-trawl gear RCA is defined along an eastern, inshore boundary 
approximating 20 fm (37 m) throughout the year, except as provided for 
between Point Fermin (33[deg]41' N. lat.; 118[deg]18' W. long.) and the 
Newport South Jetty (33[deg]36' N .lat.; 117[deg] 51' W. long.) Between 
a line drawn due south from Point Fermin, CA (33[deg]41' N. lat.; 
118[deg]18' W. long.) and a line drawn due west from the Newport South 
Jetty (33[deg]36' N .lat.; 117[deg] 51' W. long.,) vessels fishing with 
hook-and-line and/or trap (or pot) gear may operate from shore to a 
boundary line approximating 50 fm (91 m) in the months of July and 
August. Boundary coordinates are provided below at paragraph (e) of 
this section.
    (iii) Between the U.S. border with Canada and 40[deg]10' N. lat., 
the non-trawl gear RCA is defined along a western, offshore boundary 
approximating 100 fm (183 m) throughout the year. Between 40[deg]10' N. 
lat. and the U.S. border with Mexico, the trawl RCA is defined along a 
western, offshore boundary approximating 150 fm (274 m) throughout the 
year. Boundary coordinates are provided below at paragraph (e) of this 
section.
    (e) RCA Boundary Coordinates. Coordinates for the specific 
boundaries that approximate the depth contours selected for both trawl 
and non-trawl gear RCAs are provided here.
    (i) The 27-fm (49-m) depth contour used between 46[deg]16' N. lat. 
and 40[deg]10' N. lat. as an eastern boundary for the non-trawl RCA is 
defined by straight lines connecting all of the following points in the 
order stated:
    (1) 46[deg]16.00' N. lat., 124[deg]12.39' W. long.;
    (2) 46[deg]14.85' N. lat., 124[deg]12.39' W. long.;
    (3) 46[deg]3.95' N. lat., 124[deg]3.64' W. long.;
    (4) 45[deg]43.14' N. lat., 124[deg]0.17' W. long.;
    (5) 45[deg]23.33' N. lat., 124[deg]1.99' W. long.;
    (6) 45[deg]9.54' N. lat., 124[deg]1.65' W. long.;
    (7) 44[deg]39.99' N. lat., 124[deg]8.67' W. long.;
    (8) 44[deg]20.86' N. lat., 124[deg]10.31' W. long.;
    (9) 43[deg]37.11' N. lat., 124[deg]14.91' W. long.;
    (10) 43[deg]27.54' N. lat., 124[deg]18.98' W. long.;
    (11) 43[deg]20.68' N. lat., 124[deg]25.53' W. long.;
    (12) 43[deg]15.08' N. lat., 124[deg]27.17' W. long.;
    (13) 43[deg]6.89' N. lat., 124[deg]29.65' W. long.;
    (14) 43[deg]1.02' N. lat., 124[deg]29.70' W. long.;
    (15) 42[deg]52.67' N. lat., 124[deg]36.10' W. long.;
    (16) 42[deg]45.96' N. lat., 124[deg]37.95' W. long.;
    (17) 42[deg]45.80' N. lat., 124[deg]35.41' W. long.;
    (18) 42[deg]38.46' N. lat., 124[deg]27.49' W. long.;
    (19) 42[deg]35.29' N. lat., 124[deg]26.85' W. long.;
    (20) 42[deg]31.49' N. lat., 124[deg]31.40' W. long.;
    (21) 42[deg]29.06' N. lat., 124[deg]32.24' W. long.;
    (22) 42[deg]14.26' N. lat., 124[deg]26.27' W. long.;
    (23) 42[deg]4.86' N. lat., 124[deg]21.94' W. long.;
    (24) 42[deg]0.10' N. lat., 124[deg]20.99' W. long.;
    (25) 42[deg]0.00' N. lat., 124[deg]21.03' W. long.;
    (26) 41[deg]56.33' N. lat., 124[deg]20.34' W. long.;
    (27) 41[deg]50.93' N. lat., 124[deg]23.74' W. long.;
    (28) 41[deg]41.83' N. lat., 124[deg]16.99' W. long.;
    (29) 41[deg]35.48' N. lat., 124[deg]16.35' W. long.;

[[Page 914]]

    (30) 41[deg]23.51' N. lat., 124[deg]10.48' W. long.;
    (31) 41[deg]4.62' N. lat., 124[deg]14.44' W. long.;
    (32) 40[deg]54.28' N. lat., 124[deg]13.90' W. long.;
    (33) 40[deg]40.37' N. lat., 124[deg]26.21' W. long.;
    (34) 40[deg]34.03' N. lat., 124[deg]27.36' W. long.;
    (35) 40[deg]28.88' N. lat., 124[deg]32.41' W. long.;
    (36) 40[deg]24.82' N. lat., 124[deg]29.56' W. long.;
    (37) 40[deg]22.64' N. lat., 124[deg]24.05' W. long.;
    (38) 40[deg]18.67' N. lat., 124[deg]21.90' W. long.;
    (39) 40[deg]14.23' N. lat., 124[deg]23.72' W. long.; and
    (40) 40[deg]10.00' N. lat., 124[deg]17.22' W. long.;
    (ii) The 75-fm (137-m) depth contour used north of 40[deg]10' N. 
lat. as an eastern boundary for the trawl RCA in the months of July and 
August is defined by straight lines connecting all of the following 
points in the order stated:
    (1) 48[deg]14.58' N. lat., 125[deg]42.47' W. long.;
    (2) 48[deg]20.26' N. lat., 125[deg]23.03' W. long.;
    (3) 48[deg]23.00' N. lat., 124[deg]50.00' W. long.;
    (4) 48[deg]17.10' N. lat., 124[deg]54.82' W. long.;
    (5) 48[deg]05.10' N. lat., 124[deg]59.40' W. long.;
    (6) 48[deg]04.98' N. lat., 125[deg]10.02' W. long.;
    (7) 47[deg]54.00' N. lat., 125[deg]04.98' W. long.;
    (8) 47[deg]44.52' N. lat., 125[deg]00.00' W. long.;
    (9) 47[deg]42.00' N. lat., 124[deg]58.98' W. long.;
    (10) 47[deg]35.52' N. lat., 124[deg]55.50' W. long.;
    (11) 47[deg]22.02' N. lat., 124[deg]44.40' W. long.;
    (12) 47[deg]16.98' N. lat., 124[deg]45.48' W. long.;
    (13) 47[deg]10.98' N. lat., 124[deg]48.48' W. long.;
    (14) 47[deg]04.98' N. lat., 124[deg]49.02' W. long.;
    (15) 46[deg]57.98' N. lat., 124[deg]46.50' W. long.;
    (16) 46[deg]54.00' N. lat., 124[deg]45.00' W. long.;
    (17) 46[deg]48.48' N. lat., 124[deg]44.52' W. long.;
    (18) 46[deg]40.02' N. lat., 124[deg]36.00' W. long.;
    (19) 46[deg]34.09' N. lat., 124[deg]27.03' W. long.;
    (20) 46[deg]24.64' N. lat., 124[deg]30.33' W. long.;
    (21) 46[deg]19.98' N. lat., 124[deg]36.00' W. long.;
    (22) 46[deg]18.14' N. lat., 124[deg]34.26' W. long.;
    (23) 46[deg]18.72' N. lat., 124[deg]22.68' W. long.;
    (24) 46[deg]14.64' N. lat., 124[deg]22.54' W. long.;
    (25) 46[deg]11.08' N. lat., 124[deg]30.74' W. long.;
    (26) 46[deg]4.28' N. lat., 124[deg]31.49' W. long.;
    (27) 45[deg]55.97' N. lat., 124[deg]19.95' W. long.;
    (28) 45[deg]44.97' N. lat., 124[deg]15.96' W. long.;
    (29) 45[deg]43.14' N. lat., 124[deg]21.86' W. long.;
    (30) 45[deg]34.44' N. lat., 124[deg]14.44' W. long.;
    (31) 45[deg]15.49' N. lat., 124[deg]11.49' W. long.;
    (32) 44[deg]57.31' N. lat., 124[deg]15.03' W. long.;
    (33) 44[deg]43.90' N. lat., 124[deg]28.88' W. long.;
    (34) 44[deg]28.64' N. lat., 124[deg]35.67' W. long.;
    (35) 44[deg]25.31' N. lat., 124[deg]43.08' W. long.;
    (36) 44[deg]17.15' N. lat., 124[deg]47.98' W. long.;
    (37) 44[deg]13.67' N. lat., 124[deg]54.41' W. long.;
    (38) 43[deg]56.85' N. lat., 124[deg]55.32' W. long.;
    (39) 43[deg]57.50' N. lat., 124[deg]41.23' W. long.;
    (40) 44[deg]1.79' N. lat., 124[deg]38.00' W. long.;
    (41) 44[deg]2.16' N. lat., 124[deg]32.62' W. long.;
    (42) 43[deg]58.15' N. lat., 124[deg]30.39' W. long.;
    (43) 43[deg]53.25' N. lat., 124[deg]31.39' W. long.;
    (44) 43[deg]35.56' N. lat., 124[deg]28.17' W. long.;
    (45) 43[deg]21.84' N. lat., 124[deg]36.07' W. long.;
    (46) 43[deg]19.73' N. lat., 124[deg]34.86' W. long.;
    (47) 43[deg]9.38' N. lat., 124[deg]39.30' W. long.;
    (48) 43[deg]7.11' N. lat., 124[deg]37.66' W. long.;
    (49) 42[deg]56.27' N. lat., 124[deg]43.29' W. long.;
    (50) 42[deg]45.00' N. lat., 124[deg]41.50' W. long.;
    (51) 42[deg]39.72' N. lat., 124[deg]39.11' W. long.;
    (52) 42[deg]32.88' N. lat., 124[deg]40.13' W. long.;
    (53) 42[deg]32.30' N. lat., 124[deg]39.04' W. long.;
    (54) 42[deg]26.96' N. lat., 124[deg]44.31' W. long.;
    (55) 42[deg]24.11' N. lat., 124[deg]42.16' W. long.;
    (56) 42[deg]21.10' N. lat., 124[deg]35.46' W. long.;
    (57) 42[deg]14.72' N. lat., 124[deg]32.30' W. long.;
    (58) 42[deg]9.24' N. lat., 124[deg]32.04' W. long.;
    (59) 42[deg]1.89' N. lat., 124[deg]32.70' W. long.;
    (60) 42[deg]0.03' N. lat., 124[deg]32.02' W. long.;
    (61) 42[deg]0.00' N. lat., 124[deg]32.02' W. long.;
    (62) 41[deg]46.18' N. lat., 124[deg]26.60' W. long.;
    (63) 41[deg]29.22' N. lat., 124[deg]28.04' W. long.;
    (64) 41[deg]9.62' N. lat., 124[deg]19.75' W. long.;
    (65) 40[deg]50.71' N. lat., 124[deg]23.80' W. long.;
    (66) 40[deg]43.35' N. lat., 124[deg]29.30' W. long.;
    (67) 40[deg]40.24' N. lat., 124[deg]29.86' W. long.;
    (68) 40[deg]37.50' N. lat., 124[deg]28.68' W. long.;
    (69) 40[deg]34.42' N. lat., 124[deg]29.65' W. long.;
    (70) 40[deg]34.74' N. lat., 124[deg]34.61' W. long.;
    (71) 40[deg]31.70' N. lat., 124[deg]37.13' W. long.;
    (72) 40[deg]25.03' N. lat., 124[deg]34.77' W. long.;
    (73) 40[deg]23.58' N. lat., 124[deg]31.49' W. long.;
    (74) 40[deg]23.64' N. lat., 124[deg]28.35' W. long.;
    (75) 40[deg]22.53' N. lat., 124[deg]24.76' W. long.;
    (76) 40[deg]21.46' N. lat., 124[deg]24.86' W. long.;
    (77) 40[deg]21.74' N. lat., 124[deg]27.63' W. long.;
    (78) 40[deg]19.76' N. lat., 124[deg]28.15' W. long.;
    (79) 40[deg]18.00' N. lat., 124[deg]25.38' W. long.;
    (80) 40[deg]18.54' N. lat., 124[deg]22.94' W. long.;
    (81) 40[deg]15.55' N. lat., 124[deg]25.75' W. long.;
    (82) 40[deg]16.06' N. lat., 124[deg]30.48' W. long.;
    (83) 40[deg]15.75' N. lat., 124[deg]31.69' W. long.; and
    (84) 40[deg]10.00' N. lat., 124[deg]21.28' W. long.
    (iii) The 100-fm (183-m) depth contour used north of 40[deg]10' N. 
lat. as an eastern boundary for the trawl RCA and as a western boundary 
for the non-trawl RCA is defined by straight lines connecting all of 
the following points in the order stated:
    (1) 48[deg]15.00' N. lat., 125[deg]41.00' W. long.;
    (2) 48[deg]14.00' N. lat., 125[deg]36.00' W. long.;
    (3) 48[deg]09.50' N. lat., 125[deg]40.50' W. long.;

[[Page 915]]

    (4) 48[deg]08.00' N. lat., 125[deg]38.00' W. long.;
    (5) 48[deg]05.00' N. lat., 125[deg]37.25' W. long.;
    (6) 48[deg]02.60' N. lat., 125[deg]34.70' W. long.;
    (7) 47[deg]59.00' N. lat., 125[deg]34.00' W. long.;
    (8) 47[deg]57.26' N. lat., 125[deg]29.82' W. long.;
    (9) 47[deg]59.87' N. lat., 125[deg]25.81' W. long.;
    (10) 48[deg]01.08' N. lat., 125[deg]24.53' W. long.;
    (11) 48[deg]02.08' N. lat., 125[deg]22.98' W. long.;
    (12) 48[deg]02.97' N. lat., 125[deg]22.89' W. long.;
    (13) 48[deg]04.47' N. lat., 125[deg]21.75' W. long.;
    (14) 48[deg]06.11' N. lat., 125[deg]19.33' W. long.;
    (15) 48[deg]07.95' N. lat., 125[deg]18.55' W. long.;
    (16) 48[deg]09.00' N. lat., 125[deg]18.00' W. long.;
    (17) 48[deg]11.31' N. lat., 125[deg]17.55' W. long.;
    (18) 48[deg]14.60' N. lat., 125[deg]13.46' W. long.;
    (19) 48[deg]16.67' N. lat., 125[deg]14.34' W. long.;
    (20) 48[deg]18.73' N. lat., 125[deg]14.41' W. long.;
    (21) 48[deg]19.98' N. lat., 125[deg]13.24' W. long.;
    (22) 48[deg]22.95' N. lat., 125[deg]10.79' W. long.;
    (23) 48[deg]21.61' N. lat., 125[deg]02.54' W. long.;
    (24) 48[deg]23.00' N. lat., 124[deg]49.34' W. long.;
    (25) 48[deg]17.00' N. lat., 124[deg]56.50' W. long.;
    (26) 48[deg]06.00' N. lat., 125[deg]00.00' W. long.;
    (27) 48[deg]04.62' N. lat., 125[deg]01.73' W. long.;
    (28) 48[deg]04.84' N. lat., 125[deg]04.03' W. long.;
    (29) 48[deg]06.41' N. lat., 125[deg]06.51' W. long.;
    (30) 48[deg]06.00' N. lat., 125[deg]08.00' W. long.;
    (31) 48[deg]07.28' N. lat., 125[deg]11.14' W. long.;
    (32) 48[deg]03.45' N. lat., 125[deg]16.66' W. long.;
    (33) 47[deg]59.50' N. lat., 125[deg]18.88' W. long.;
    (34) 47[deg]58.68' N. lat., 125[deg]16.19' W. long.;
    (35) 47[deg]56.62' N. lat., 125[deg]13.50' W. long.;
    (36) 47[deg]53.71' N. lat., 125[deg]11.96' W. long.;
    (37) 47[deg]51.70' N. lat., 125[deg]09.38' W. long.;
    (38) 47[deg]49.95' N. lat., 125[deg]06.07' W. long.;
    (39) 47[deg]49.00' N. lat., 125[deg]03.00' W. long.;
    (40) 47[deg]46.95' N. lat., 125[deg]04.00' W. long.;
    (41) 47[deg]46.58' N. lat., 125[deg]03.15' W. long.;
    (42) 47[deg]44.07' N. lat., 125[deg]04.28' W. long.;
    (43) 47[deg]43.32' N. lat., 125[deg]04.41' W. long.;
    (44) 47[deg]40.95' N. lat., 125[deg]04.14' W. long.;
    (45) 47[deg]39.58' N. lat., 125[deg]04.97' W. long.;
    (46) 47[deg]36.23' N. lat., 125[deg]02.77' W. long.;
    (47) 47[deg]34.28' N. lat., 124[deg]58.66' W. long.;
    (48) 47[deg]32.17' N. lat., 124[deg]57.77' W. long.;
    (49) 47[deg]30.27' N. lat., 124[deg]56.16' W. long.;
    (50) 47[deg]30.60' N. lat., 124[deg]54.80' W. long.;
    (51) 47[deg]29.26' N. lat., 124[deg]52.21' W. long.;
    (52) 47[deg]28.21' N. lat., 124[deg]50.65' W. long.;
    (53) 47[deg]27.38' N. lat., 124[deg]49.34' W. long.;
    (54) 47[deg]25.61' N. lat., 124[deg]48.26' W. long.;
    (55) 47[deg]23.54' N. lat., 124[deg]46.42' W. long.;
    (56) 47[deg]20.64' N. lat., 124[deg]45.91' W. long.;
    (57) 47[deg]17.99' N. lat., 124[deg]45.59' W. long.;
    (58) 47[deg]18.20' N. lat., 124[deg]49.12' W. long.;
    (59) 47[deg]15.01' N. lat., 124[deg]51.09' W. long.;
    (60) 47[deg]12.61' N. lat., 124[deg]54.89' W. long.;
    (61) 47[deg]08.22' N. lat., 124[deg]56.53' W. long.;
    (62) 47[deg]08.50' N. lat., 124[deg]54.95' W. long.;
    (63) 47[deg]01.92' N. lat., 124[deg]57.74' W. long.;
    (64) 47[deg]01.14' N. lat., 124[deg]59.35' W. long.;
    (65) 46[deg]58.48' N. lat., 124[deg]57.81' W. long.;
    (66) 46[deg]56.79' N. lat., 124[deg]56.03' W. long.;
    (67) 46[deg]58.01' N. lat., 124[deg]55.09' W. long.;
    (68) 46[deg]55.07' N. lat., 124[deg]54.14' W. long.;
    (69) 46[deg]59.60' N. lat., 124[deg]49.79' W. long.;
    (70) 46[deg]58.72' N. lat., 124[deg]48.78' W. long.;
    (71) 46[deg]54.45' N. lat., 124[deg]48.36' W. long.;
    (72) 46[deg]53.99' N. lat., 124[deg]49.95' W. long.;
    (73) 46[deg]54.38' N. lat., 124[deg]52.73' W. long.;
    (74) 46[deg]52.38' N. lat., 124[deg]52.02' W. long.;
    (75) 46[deg]48.93' N. lat., 124[deg]49.17' W. long.;
    (76) 46[deg]41.50' N. lat., 124[deg]43.00' W. long.;
    (77) 46[deg]34.50' N. lat., 124[deg]28.50' W. long.;
    (78) 46[deg]29.00' N. lat., 124[deg]30.00' W. long.;
    (79) 46[deg]20.00' N. lat., 124[deg]36.50' W. long.;
    (80) 46[deg]18.00' N. lat., 124[deg]38.00' W. long.;
    (81) 46[deg]17.00' N. lat., 124[deg]35.50' W. long.;
    (82) 46[deg]17.00' N. lat., 124[deg]22.50' W. long.;
    (83) 46[deg]15.02' N. lat., 124[deg]23.77' W. long.;
    (84) 46[deg]12.00' N. lat., 124[deg]35.00' W. long.;
    (85) 46[deg]10.50' N. lat., 124[deg]39.00' W. long.;
    (86) 46[deg]8.90' N. lat., 124[deg]39.11' W. long.;
    (87) 46[deg]0.97' N. lat., 124[deg]38.56' W. long.;
    (88) 45[deg]57.04' N. lat., 124[deg]36.42' W. long.;
    (89) 45[deg]54.29' N. lat., 124[deg]40.02' W. long.;
    (90) 45[deg]47.19' N. lat., 124[deg]35.58' W. long.;
    (91) 45[deg]41.75' N. lat., 124[deg]28.32' W. long.;
    (92) 45[deg]34.16' N. lat., 124[deg]24.23' W. long.;
    (93) 45[deg]27.10' N. lat., 124[deg]21.74' W. long.;
    (94) 45[deg]17.14' N. lat., 124[deg]17.85' W. long.;
    (95) 44[deg]59.51' N. lat., 124[deg]19.34' W. long.;
    (96) 44[deg]49.30' N. lat., 124[deg]29.97' W. long.;
    (97) 44[deg]45.64' N. lat., 124[deg]33.89' W. long.;
    (98) 44[deg]33.00' N. lat., 124[deg]36.88' W. long.;
    (99) 44[deg]28.20' N. lat., 124[deg]44.72' W. long.;
    (100) 44[deg]13.16' N. lat., 124[deg]56.36' W. long.;
    (101) 43[deg]56.34' N. lat., 124[deg]55.74' W. long.;
    (102) 43[deg]56.47' N. lat., 124[deg]34.61' W. long.;
    (103) 43[deg]42.73' N. lat., 124[deg]32.41' W. long.;
    (104) 43[deg]30.92' N. lat., 124[deg]34.43' W. long.;
    (105) 43[deg]17.44' N. lat., 124[deg]41.16' W. long.;
    (106) 43[deg]7.04' N. lat., 124[deg]41.25' W. long.;
    (107) 43[deg]3.45' N. lat., 124[deg]44.36' W. long.;
    (108) 43[deg]3.90' N. lat., 124[deg]50.81' W. long.;

[[Page 916]]

    (109) 42[deg]55.70' N. lat., 124[deg]52.79' W. long.;
    (110) 42[deg]54.12' N. lat., 124[deg]47.36' W. long.;
    (111) 42[deg]43.99' N. lat., 124[deg]42.38' W. long.;
    (112) 42[deg]38.23' N. lat., 124[deg]41.25' W. long.;
    (113) 42[deg]33.02' N. lat., 124[deg]42.38' W. long.;
    (114) 42[deg]31.89' N. lat., 124[deg]42.04' W. long.;
    (115) 42[deg]30.08' N. lat., 124[deg]42.67' W. long.;
    (116) 42[deg]28.27' N. lat., 124[deg]47.08' W. long.;
    (117) 42[deg]25.22' N. lat., 124[deg]43.51' W. long.;
    (118) 42[deg]19.22' N. lat., 124[deg]37.92' W. long.;
    (119) 42[deg]16.28' N. lat., 124[deg]36.11' W. long.;
    (120) 42[deg]5.65' N. lat., 124[deg]34.92' W. long.;
    (121) 42[deg]0.00' N. lat., 124[deg]35.27' W. long.;
    (122) 42[deg]00.00' N. lat., 124[deg]35.26' W. long.;
    (123) 41[deg]47.04' N. lat., 124[deg]27.64' W. long.;
    (124) 41[deg]32.92' N. lat., 124[deg]28.79' W. long.;
    (125) 41[deg]24.17' N. lat., 124[deg]28.46' W. long.;
    (126) 41[deg]10.12' N. lat., 124[deg]20.50' W. long.;
    (127) 40[deg]51.41' N. lat., 124[deg]24.38' W. long.;
    (128) 40[deg]43.71' N. lat., 124[deg]29.89' W. long.;
    (129) 40[deg]40.14' N. lat., 124[deg]30.90' W. long.;
    (130) 40[deg]37.35' N. lat., 124[deg]29.05' W. long.;
    (131) 40[deg]34.76' N. lat., 124[deg]29.82' W. long.;
    (132) 40[deg]36.78' N. lat., 124[deg]37.06' W. long.;
    (133) 40[deg]32.44' N. lat., 124[deg]39.58' W. long.;
    (134) 40[deg]24.82' N. lat., 124[deg]35.12' W. long.;
    (135) 40[deg]23.30' N. lat., 124[deg]31.60' W. long.;
    (136) 40[deg]23.52' N. lat., 124[deg]28.78' W. long.;
    (137) 40[deg]22.43' N. lat., 124[deg]25.00' W. long.;
    (138) 40[deg]21.72' N. lat., 124[deg]24.94' W. long.;
    (139) 40[deg]21.87' N. lat., 124[deg]27.96' W. long.;
    (140) 40[deg]21.40' N. lat., 124[deg]28.74' W. long.;
    (141) 40[deg]19.68' N. lat., 124[deg]28.49' W. long.;
    (142) 40[deg]17.73' N. lat., 124[deg]25.43' W. long.;
    (143) 40[deg]18.37' N. lat., 124[deg]23.35' W. long.;
    (144) 40[deg]15.75' N. lat., 124[deg]26.05' W. long.;
    (145) 40[deg]16.75' N. lat., 124[deg]33.71' W. long.;
    (146) 40[deg]16.29' N. lat., 124[deg]34.36' W. long.; and
    (147) 40[deg]10.00' N. lat., 124[deg]21.12' W. long.
    (iv) The 250-fm (457-m) depth contour used north of 38[deg] N. lat. 
for March through October as a western boundary for the trawl RCA is 
defined by straight lines connecting all of the following points in the 
order stated:
    (1) 48[deg]14.68' N. lat., 125[deg]42.10' W. long.;
    (2) 48[deg]12.83' N. lat., 125[deg]39.71' W. long.;
    (3) 48[deg]13.00' N. lat., 125[deg]39.00' W. long.;
    (4) 48[deg]12.73' N. lat., 125[deg]38.87' W. long.;
    (5) 48[deg]12.43' N. lat., 125[deg]39.12' W. long.;
    (6) 48[deg]11.83' N. lat., 125[deg]40.01' W. long.;
    (7) 48[deg]11.78' N. lat., 125[deg]41.70' W. long.;
    (8) 48[deg]10.62' N. lat., 125[deg]43.41' W. long.;
    (9) 48[deg]09.23' N. lat., 125[deg]42.80' W. long.;
    (10) 48[deg]08.79' N. lat., 125[deg]43.79' W. long.;
    (11) 48[deg]08.50' N. lat., 125[deg]45.00' W. long.;
    (12) 48[deg]07.43' N. lat., 125[deg]46.36' W. long.;
    (13) 48[deg]06.00' N. lat., 125[deg]46.50' W. long.;
    (14) 48[deg]05.38' N. lat., 125[deg]42.82' W. long.;
    (15) 48[deg]04.19' N. lat., 125[deg]40.40' W. long.;
    (16) 48[deg]03.50' N. lat., 125[deg]37.00' W. long.;
    (17) 48[deg]01.50' N. lat., 125[deg]40.00' W. long.;
    (18) 47[deg]57.00' N. lat., 125[deg]37.00' W. long.;
    (19) 47[deg]55.21' N. lat., 125[deg]37.22' W. long.;
    (20) 47[deg]54.02' N. lat., 125[deg]36.57' W. long.;
    (21) 47[deg]53.67' N. lat., 125[deg]35.06' W. long.;
    (22) 47[deg]54.14' N. lat., 125[deg]32.35' W. long.;
    (23) 47[deg]55.50' N. lat., 125[deg]28.56' W. long.;
    (24) 47[deg]57.03' N. lat., 125[deg]26.52' W. long.;
    (25) 47[deg]57.98' N. lat., 125[deg]25.08' W. long.;
    (26) 48[deg]00.54' N. lat., 125[deg]24.38' W. long.;
    (27) 48[deg]01.45' N. lat., 125[deg]23.70' W. long.;
    (28) 48[deg]01.97' N. lat., 125[deg]22.34' W. long.;
    (29) 48[deg]03.68' N. lat., 125[deg]21.20' W. long.;
    (30) 48[deg]01.96' N. lat., 125[deg]19.56' W. long.;
    (31) 48[deg]00.98' N. lat., 125[deg]20.43' W. long.;
    (32) 48[deg]00.00' N. lat., 125[deg]20.68' W. long.;
    (33) 47[deg]58.00' N. lat., 125[deg]20.00' W. long.;
    (34) 47[deg]57.65' N. lat., 125[deg]19.18' W. long.;
    (35) 47[deg]58.00' N. lat., 125[deg]18.00' W. long.;
    (36) 47[deg]56.59' N. lat., 125[deg]18.15' W. long.;
    (37) 47[deg]51.30' N. lat., 125[deg]18.32' W. long.;
    (38) 47[deg]49.88' N. lat., 125[deg]14.49' W. long.;
    (39) 47[deg]49.00' N. lat., 125[deg]11.00' W. long.;
    (40) 47[deg]47.99' N. lat., 125[deg]07.31' W. long.;
    (41) 47[deg]46.47' N. lat., 125[deg]08.63' W. long.;
    (42) 47[deg]46.00' N. lat., 125[deg]06.00' W. long.;
    (43) 47[deg]44.50' N. lat., 125[deg]07.50' W. long.;
    (44) 47[deg]43.39' N. lat., 125[deg]06.57' W. long.;
    (45) 47[deg]42.37' N. lat., 125[deg]05.74' W. long.;
    (46) 47[deg]40.61' N. lat., 125[deg]06.48' W. long.;
    (47) 47[deg]37.43' N. lat., 125[deg]07.33' W. long.;
    (48) 47[deg]33.68' N. lat., 125[deg]04.80' W. long.;
    (49) 47[deg]30.00' N. lat., 125[deg]00.00' W. long.;
    (50) 47[deg]28.00' N. lat., 124[deg]58.50' W. long.;
    (51) 47[deg]28.88' N. lat., 124[deg]54.71' W. long.;
    (52) 47[deg]27.70' N. lat., 124[deg]51.87' W. long.;
    (53) 47[deg]24.84' N. lat., 124[deg]48.45' W. long.;
    (54) 47[deg]21.76' N. lat., 124[deg]47.42' W. long.;
    (55) 47[deg]18.84' N. lat., 124[deg]46.75' W. long.;
    (56) 47[deg]19.82' N. lat., 124[deg]51.43' W. long.;
    (57) 47[deg]18.13' N. lat., 124[deg]54.25' W. long.;
    (58) 47[deg]13.50' N. lat., 124[deg]54.69' W. long.;
    (59) 47[deg]15.00' N. lat., 125[deg]00.00' W. long.;
    (60) 47[deg]08.00' N. lat., 124[deg]59.83' W. long.;
    (61) 47[deg]05.79' N. lat., 125[deg]01.00' W. long.;
    (62) 47[deg]03.34' N. lat., 124[deg]57.49' W. long.;
    (63) 47[deg]01.00' N. lat., 125[deg]00.00' W. long.;

[[Page 917]]

    (64) 46[deg]55.00' N. lat., 125[deg]02.00' W. long.;
    (65) 46[deg]51.00' N. lat., 124[deg]57.00' W. long.;
    (66) 46[deg]47.00' N. lat., 124[deg]55.00' W. long.;
    (67) 46[deg]34.00' N. lat., 124[deg]38.00' W. long.;
    (68) 46[deg]30.50' N. lat., 124[deg]41.00' W. long.;
    (69) 46[deg]33.00' N. lat., 124[deg]32.00' W. long.;
    (70) 46[deg]29.00' N. lat., 124[deg]32.00' W. long.;
    (71) 46[deg]20.00' N. lat., 124[deg]39.00' W. long.;
    (72) 46[deg]18.16' N. lat., 124[deg]40.00' W. long.;
    (73) 46[deg]15.83' N. lat., 124[deg]27.01' W. long.;
    (74) 46[deg]15.00' N. lat., 124[deg]30.96' W. long.;
    (75) 46[deg]13.17' N. lat., 124[deg]37.87' W. long.;
    (76) 46[deg]13.17' N. lat., 124[deg]38.75' W. long.;
    (77) 46[deg]10.50' N. lat., 124[deg]42.00' W. long.;
    (78) 46[deg]6.21' N. lat., 124[deg]41.85' W. long.;
    (79) 46[deg]3.02' N. lat., 124[deg]50.27' W. long.;
    (80) 45[deg]57.00' N. lat., 124[deg]45.52' W. long.;
    (81) 45[deg]46.85' N. lat., 124[deg]45.91' W. long.;
    (82) 45[deg]45.81' N. lat., 124[deg]47.05' W. long.;
    (83) 45[deg]44.87' N. lat., 124[deg]45.98' W. long.;
    (84) 45[deg]43.44' N. lat., 124[deg]46.03' W. long.;
    (85) 45[deg]35.82' N. lat., 124[deg]45.72' W. long.;
    (86) 45[deg]35.70' N. lat., 124[deg]42.89' W. long.;
    (87) 45[deg]24.45' N. lat., 124[deg]38.21' W. long.;
    (88) 45[deg]11.68' N. lat., 124[deg]39.38' W. long.;
    (89) 44[deg]57.94' N. lat., 124[deg]37.02' W. long.;
    (90) 44[deg]44.28' N. lat., 124[deg]50.79' W. long.;
    (91) 44[deg]32.63' N. lat., 124[deg]54.21' W. long.;
    (92) 44[deg]23.20' N. lat., 124[deg]49.87' W. long.;
    (93) 44[deg]13.17' N. lat., 124[deg]58.81' W. long.;
    (94) 43[deg]57.92' N. lat., 124[deg]58.29' W. long.;
    (95) 43[deg]50.12' N. lat., 124[deg]53.36' W. long.;
    (96) 43[deg]49.53' N. lat., 124[deg]43.96' W. long.;
    (97) 43[deg]42.76' N. lat., 124[deg]41.40' W. long.;
    (98) 43[deg]24.00' N. lat., 124[deg]42.61' W. long.;
    (99) 43[deg]19.74' N. lat., 124[deg]45.12' W. long.;
    (100) 43[deg]19.62' N. lat., 124[deg]52.95' W. long.;
    (101) 43[deg]17.41' N. lat., 124[deg]53.02' W. long.;
    (102) 42[deg]49.15' N. lat., 124[deg]54.93' W. long.;
    (103) 42[deg]46.74' N. lat., 124[deg]53.39' W. long.;
    (104) 42[deg]43.76' N. lat., 124[deg]51.64' W. long.;
    (105) 42[deg]45.41' N. lat., 124[deg]49.35' W. long.;
    (106) 42[deg]43.92' N. lat., 124[deg]45.92' W. long.;
    (107) 42[deg]38.87' N. lat., 124[deg]43.38' W. long.;
    (108) 42[deg]34.78' N. lat., 124[deg]46.56' W. long.;
    (109) 42[deg]31.47' N. lat., 124[deg]46.89' W. long.;
    (110) 42[deg]31.00' N. lat., 124[deg]44.28' W. long.;
    (111) 42[deg]29.22' N. lat., 124[deg]46.93' W. long.;
    (112) 42[deg]28.39' N. lat., 124[deg]49.94' W. long.;
    (113) 42[deg]26.28' N. lat., 124[deg]47.60' W. long.;
    (114) 42[deg]19.58' N. lat., 124[deg]43.21' W. long.;
    (115) 42[deg]13.75' N. lat., 124[deg]40.06' W. long.;
    (116) 42[deg]5.12' N. lat., 124[deg]39.06' W. long.;
    (117) 41[deg]59.99' N. lat., 124[deg]37.72' W. long.;
    (118) 42[deg]0.00' N. lat., 124[deg]37.76' W. long.;
    (119) 41[deg]47.93' N. lat., 124[deg]31.79' W. long.;
    (120) 41[deg]21.35' N. lat., 124[deg]30.35' W. long.;
    (121) 41[deg]7.11' N. lat., 124[deg]25.25' W. long.;
    (122) 40[deg]57.37' N. lat., 124[deg]30.25' W. long.;
    (123) 40[deg]41.03' N. lat., 124[deg]33.21' W. long.;
    (124) 40[deg]37.40' N. lat., 124[deg]38.96' W. long.;
    (125) 40[deg]33.70' N. lat., 124[deg]42.50' W. long.;
    (126) 40[deg]31.31' N. lat., 124[deg]41.59' W. long.;
    (127) 40[deg]25.00' N. lat., 124[deg]36.65' W. long.;
    (128) 40[deg]22.42' N. lat., 124[deg]32.19' W. long.;
    (129) 40[deg]17.17' N. lat., 124[deg]32.21' W. long.;
    (130) 40[deg]18.68' N. lat., 124[deg]50.44' W. long.;
    (131) 40[deg]10.11' N. lat., 124[deg]28.25' W. long.;
    (132) 40[deg]1.63' N. lat., 124[deg]17.25' W. long.;
    (133) 39[deg]51.85' N. lat., 124[deg]10.33' W. long.;
    (134) 39[deg]32.41' N. lat., 124[deg]0.01' W. long.;
    (135) 38[deg]57.16' N. lat., 124[deg]1.89' W. long.;
    (136) 38[deg]11.66' N. lat., 123[deg]30.87' W. long.;
    (137) 38[deg]3.18' N. lat., 123[deg]33.45' W. long.; and
    (138) 38[deg]00.00' N. lat., 123[deg]28.84' W. long.
    (v) The 250-fm (457-m) depth contour modified to allow fishing for 
petrale in winter months of January, February, November, and December 
and used north of 38[deg] N. lat. as a western boundary for the trawl 
RCA is defined by straight lines connecting all of the following points 
in the order stated:
    (1) 48[deg]14.71' N. lat., 125[deg]41.95' W. long.;
    (2) 48[deg]13.00' N. lat., 125[deg]39.00' W. long.;
    (3) 48[deg]08.50' N. lat., 125[deg]45.00' W. long.;
    (4) 48[deg]06.00' N. lat., 125[deg]46.50' W. long.;
    (5) 48[deg]03.50' N. lat., 125[deg]37.00' W. long.;
    (6) 48[deg]01.50' N. lat., 125[deg]40.00' W. long.;
    (7) 47[deg]57.00' N. lat., 125[deg]37.00' W. long.;
    (8) 47[deg]55.50' N. lat., 125[deg]28.50' W. long.;
    (9) 47[deg]58.00' N. lat., 125[deg]25.00' W. long.;
    (10) 48[deg]00.50' N. lat., 125[deg]24.50' W. long.;
    (11) 48[deg]03.50' N. lat., 125[deg]21.00' W. long.;
    (12) 48[deg]02.00' N. lat., 125[deg]19.50' W. long.;
    (13) 48[deg]00.00' N. lat., 125[deg]21.00' W. long.;
    (14) 47[deg]58.00' N. lat., 125[deg]20.00' W. long.;
    (15) 47[deg]58.00' N. lat., 125[deg]18.00' W. long.;
    (16) 47[deg]52.00' N. lat., 125[deg]16.50' W. long.;
    (17) 47[deg]49.00' N. lat., 125[deg]11.00' W. long.;
    (18) 47[deg]46.00' N. lat., 125[deg]06.00' W. long.;
    (19) 47[deg]44.50' N. lat., 125[deg]07.50' W. long.;
    (20) 47[deg]42.00' N. lat., 125[deg]06.00' W. long.;
    (21) 47[deg]38.00' N. lat., 125[deg]07.00' W. long.;
    (22) 47[deg]30.00' N. lat., 125[deg]00.00' W. long.;
    (23) 47[deg]28.00' N. lat., 124[deg]58.50' W. long.;
    (24) 47[deg]28.88' N. lat., 124[deg]54.71' W. long.;
    (25) 47[deg]27.70' N. lat., 124[deg]51.87' W. long.;
    (26) 47[deg]24.84' N. lat., 124[deg]48.45' W. long.;

[[Page 918]]

    (27) 47[deg]21.76' N. lat., 124[deg]47.42' W. long.;
    (28) 47[deg]18.84' N. lat., 124[deg]46.75' W. long.;
    (29) 47[deg]19.82' N. lat., 124[deg]51.43' W. long.;
    (30) 47[deg]18.13' N. lat., 124[deg]54.25' W. long.;
    (31) 47[deg]13.50' N. lat., 124[deg]54.69' W. long.;
    (32) 47[deg]15.00' N. lat., 125[deg]00.00' W. long.;
    (33) 47[deg]08.00' N. lat., 124[deg]59.82' W. long.;
    (34) 47[deg]05.79' N. lat., 125[deg]01.00' W. long.;
    (35) 47[deg]03.34' N. lat., 124[deg]57.49' W. long.;
    (36) 47[deg]01.00' N. lat., 125[deg]00.00' W. long.;
    (37) 46[deg]55.00' N. lat., 125[deg]02.00' W. long.;
    (38) 46[deg]51.00' N. lat., 124[deg]57.00' W. long.;
    (39) 46[deg]47.00' N. lat., 124[deg]55.00' W. long.;
    (40) 46[deg]34.00' N. lat., 124[deg]38.00' W. long.;
    (41) 46[deg]30.50' N. lat., 124[deg]41.00' W. long.;
    (42) 46[deg]33.00' N. lat., 124[deg]32.00' W. long.;
    (43) 46[deg]29.00' N. lat., 124[deg]32.00' W. long.;
    (44) 46[deg]20.00' N. lat., 124[deg]39.00' W. long.;
    (45) 46[deg]18.16' N. lat., 124[deg]40.00' W. long.;
    (46) 46[deg]15.83' N. lat., 124[deg]27.01' W. long.;
    (47) 46[deg]15.00' N. lat., 124[deg]30.96' W. long.;
    (48) 46[deg]13.17' N. lat., 124[deg]38.76' W. long.;
    (49) 46[deg]10.51' N. lat., 124[deg]41.99' W. long.;
    (50) 46[deg]6.24' N. lat., 124[deg]41.81' W. long.;
    (51) 46[deg]3.04' N. lat., 124[deg]50.26' W. long.;
    (52) 45[deg]56.99' N. lat., 124[deg]45.45' W. long.;
    (53) 45[deg]49.94' N. lat., 124[deg]45.75' W. long.;
    (54) 45[deg]49.94' N. lat., 124[deg]42.33' W. long.;
    (55) 45[deg]45.73' N. lat., 124[deg]42.18' W. long.;
    (56) 45[deg]45.73' N. lat., 124[deg]43.82' W. long.;
    (57) 45[deg]41.94' N. lat., 124[deg]43.61' W. long.;
    (58) 45[deg]41.58' N. lat., 124[deg]39.86' W. long.;
    (59) 45[deg]38.45' N. lat., 124[deg]39.94' W. long.;
    (60) 45[deg]35.75' N. lat., 124[deg]42.91' W. long.;
    (61) 45[deg]24.49' N. lat., 124[deg]38.20' W. long.;
    (62) 45[deg]14.43' N. lat., 124[deg]39.05' W. long.;
    (63) 45[deg]14.30' N. lat., 124[deg]34.19' W. long.;
    (64) 45[deg]8.98' N. lat., 124[deg]34.26' W. long.;
    (65) 45[deg]9.02' N. lat., 124[deg]38.81' W. long.;
    (66) 44[deg]57.98' N. lat., 124[deg]36.98' W. long.;
    (67) 44[deg]56.62' N. lat., 124[deg]38.32' W. long.;
    (68) 44[deg]50.82' N. lat., 124[deg]35.52' W. long.;
    (69) 44[deg]46.89' N. lat., 124[deg]38.32' W. long.;
    (70) 44[deg]50.78' N. lat., 124[deg]44.24' W. long.;
    (71) 44[deg]44.27' N. lat., 124[deg]50.78' W. long.;
    (72) 44[deg]32.63' N. lat., 124[deg]54.24' W. long.;
    (73) 44[deg]23.25' N. lat., 124[deg]49.78' W. long.;
    (74) 44[deg]13.16' N. lat., 124[deg]58.81' W. long.;
    (75) 43[deg]57.88' N. lat., 124[deg]58.25' W. long.;
    (76) 43[deg]56.89' N. lat., 124[deg]57.33' W. long.;
    (77) 43[deg]53.41' N. lat., 124[deg]51.95' W. long.;
    (78) 43[deg]51.56' N. lat., 124[deg]47.38' W. long.;
    (79) 43[deg]51.49' N. lat., 124[deg]37.77' W. long.;
    (80) 43[deg]48.02' N. lat., 124[deg]43.31' W. long.;
    (81) 43[deg]42.77' N. lat., 124[deg]41.39' W. long.;
    (82) 43[deg]24.09' N. lat., 124[deg]42.57' W. long.;
    (83) 43[deg]19.73' N. lat., 124[deg]45.09' W. long.;
    (84) 43[deg]15.98' N. lat., 124[deg]47.76' W. long.;
    (85) 43[deg]4.14' N. lat., 124[deg]52.55' W. long.;
    (86) 43[deg]4.00' N. lat., 124[deg]53.88' W. long.;
    (87) 42[deg]54.69' N. lat., 124[deg]54.54' W. long.;
    (88) 42[deg]45.46' N. lat., 124[deg]49.37' W. long.;
    (89) 42[deg]43.91' N. lat., 124[deg]45.90' W. long.;
    (90) 42[deg]38.84' N. lat., 124[deg]43.36' W. long.;
    (91) 42[deg]34.82' N. lat., 124[deg]46.56' W. long.;
    (92) 42[deg]31.57' N. lat., 124[deg]46.86' W. long.;
    (93) 42[deg]30.98' N. lat., 124[deg]44.27' W. long.;
    (94) 42[deg]29.21' N. lat., 124[deg]46.93' W. long.;
    (95) 42[deg]28.52' N. lat., 124[deg]49.40' W. long.;
    (96) 42[deg]26.06' N. lat., 124[deg]46.61' W. long.;
    (97) 42[deg]21.82' N. lat., 124[deg]43.76' W. long.;
    (98) 42[deg]17.47' N. lat., 124[deg]38.89' W. long.;
    (99) 42[deg]13.67' N. lat., 124[deg]37.51' W. long.;
    (100) 42[deg]13.76' N. lat., 124[deg]40.03' W. long.;
    (101) 42[deg]5.12' N. lat., 124[deg]39.06' W. long.;
    (102) 42[deg]2.67' N. lat., 124[deg]38.41' W. long.;
    (103) 42[deg]2.67' N. lat., 124[deg]35.95' W. long.;
    (104) 42[deg]0.00' N. lat., 124[deg]35.88' W. long.;
    (105) 41[deg]59.99' N. lat., 124[deg]35.92' W. long.;
    (106) 41[deg]56.38' N. lat., 124[deg]34.96' W. long.;
    (107) 41[deg]53.98' N. lat., 124[deg]32.50' W. long.;
    (108) 41[deg]50.69' N. lat., 124[deg]30.46' W. long.;
    (109) 41[deg]48.30' N. lat., 124[deg]29.91' W. long.;
    (110) 41[deg]47.93' N. lat., 124[deg]31.79' W. long.;
    (111) 41[deg]21.35' N. lat., 124[deg]30.35' W. long.;
    (112) 41[deg]7.11' N. lat., 124[deg]25.25' W. long.;
    (113) 40[deg]57.37' N. lat., 124[deg]30.25' W. long.;
    (114) 40[deg]41.03' N. lat., 124[deg]33.21' W. long.;
    (115) 40[deg]37.40' N. lat., 124[deg]38.96' W. long.;
    (116) 40[deg]33.70' N. lat., 124[deg]42.50' W. long.;
    (117) 40[deg]31.31' N. lat., 124[deg]41.59' W. long.;
    (118) 40[deg]25.00' N. lat., 124[deg]36.65' W. long.;
    (119) 40[deg]22.42' N. lat., 124[deg]32.19' W. long.;
    (120) 40[deg]17.17' N. lat., 124[deg]32.21' W. long.;
    (121) 40[deg]18.68' N. lat., 124[deg]50.44' W. long.;
    (122) 40[deg]10.11' N. lat., 124[deg]28.25' W. long.;
    (123) 40[deg]1.63' N. lat., 124[deg]17.25' W. long.;
    (124) 39[deg]51.85' N. lat., 124[deg]10.33' W. long.;
    (125) 39[deg]32.41' N. lat., 124[deg]0.01' W. long.;
    (126) 38[deg]57.16' N. lat., 124[deg]1.89' W. long.;
    (127) 38[deg]11.66' N. lat., 123[deg]30.87' W. long.;
    (128) 38[deg]3.18' N. lat., 123[deg]33.45' W. long.; and
    (129) 38[deg]00.00' N. lat., 123[deg]28.84' W. long.
    (vi) The 50-fm (91-m) depth contour used between 40[deg]10' N. lat. 
and 34[deg]27' N. lat. as an eastern boundary for the

[[Page 919]]

trawl RCA in the months of January and February is defined by straight 
lines connecting all of the following points in the order stated:
    (1) 40[deg]10.01' N. lat., 124[deg]19.97' W. long.;
    (2) 40[deg]9.20' N. lat., 124[deg]15.81' W. long.;
    (3) 40[deg]7.51' N. lat., 124[deg]15.29' W. long.;
    (4) 40[deg]5.22' N. lat., 124[deg]10.06' W. long.;
    (5) 40[deg]6.51' N. lat., 124[deg]8.01' W. long.;
    (6) 40[deg]0.72' N. lat., 124[deg]8.45' W. long.;
    (7) 39[deg]56.60' N. lat., 124[deg]7.12' W. long.;
    (8) 39[deg]52.58' N. lat., 124[deg]3.57' W. long.;
    (9) 39[deg]50.65' N. lat., 123[deg]57.98' W. long.;
    (10) 39[deg]40.16' N. lat., 123[deg]52.41' W. long.;
    (11) 39[deg]30.12' N. lat., 123[deg]52.92' W. long.;
    (12) 39[deg]24.53' N. lat., 123[deg]55.16' W. long.;
    (13) 39[deg]11.58' N. lat., 123[deg]50.93' W. long.;
    (14) 38[deg]55.13' N. lat., 123[deg]51.14' W. long.;
    (15) 38[deg]28.58' N. lat., 123[deg]22.84' W. long.;
    (16) 38[deg]14.58' N. lat., 123[deg]9.93' W. long.;
    (17) 38[deg]1.86' N. lat., 123[deg]9.76' W. long.;
    (18) 37[deg]53.66' N. lat., 123[deg]12.06' W. long.;
    (19) 37[deg]48.01' N. lat., 123[deg]15.84' W. long.;
    (20) 37[deg]36.77' N. lat., 122[deg]58.48' W. long.;
    (21) 37[deg]1.02' N. lat., 122[deg]33.71' W. long.;
    (22) 37[deg]2.28' N. lat., 122[deg]25.06' W. long.;
    (23) 36[deg]48.20' N. lat., 122[deg]3.28' W. long.;
    (24) 36[deg]51.46' N. lat., 121[deg]57.54' W. long.;
    (25) 36[deg]44.14' N. lat., 121[deg]58.10' W. long.;
    (26) 36[deg]36.76' N. lat., 122[deg]1.16' W. long.;
    (27) 36[deg]15.62' N. lat., 121[deg]57.13' W. long.;
    (28) 36[deg]10.60' N. lat., 121[deg]43.65' W. long.;
    (29) 35[deg]40.38' N. lat., 121[deg]22.59' W. long.;
    (30) 35[deg]24.35' N. lat., 121[deg]2.53' W. long.;
    (31) 35[deg]2.66' N. lat., 120[deg]51.63' W. long.;
    (32) 34[deg]39.52' N. lat., 120[deg]48.72' W. long.;
    (33) 34[deg]31.26' N. lat., 120[deg]44.12' W. long.; and
    (34) 34[deg]27.00' N. lat., 120[deg]31.25' W. long.
    (vii) The 60-fm (110-m) depth contour used between 40[deg]10' N. 
lat. and 34[deg]27' N. lat. as an eastern boundary for the trawl RCA in 
March through October is defined by straight lines connecting all of 
the following points in the order stated:
    (1) 40[deg]10.01' N. lat., 124[deg]19.97' W. long.;
    (2) 40[deg]9.20' N. lat., 124[deg]15.81' W. long.;
    (3) 40[deg]7.51' N. lat., 124[deg]15.29' W. long.;
    (4) 40[deg]5.22' N. lat., 124[deg]10.06' W. long.;
    (5) 40[deg]6.51' N. lat., 124[deg]8.01' W. long.;
    (6) 40[deg]0.72' N. lat., 124[deg]8.45' W. long.;
    (7) 39[deg]56.60' N. lat., 124[deg]7.12' W. long.;
    (8) 39[deg]52.58' N. lat., 124[deg]3.57' W. long.;
    (9) 39[deg]50.65' N. lat., 123[deg]57.98' W. long.;
    (10) 39[deg]40.16' N. lat., 123[deg]52.41' W. long.;
    (11) 39[deg]30.12' N. lat., 123[deg]52.92' W. long.;
    (12) 39[deg]24.53' N. lat., 123[deg]55.16' W. long.;
    (13) 39[deg]11.58' N. lat., 123[deg]50.93' W. long.;
    (14) 38[deg]55.13' N. lat., 123[deg]51.14' W. long.;
    (15) 38[deg]28.58' N. lat., 123[deg]22.84' W. long.;
    (16) 38[deg]8.32' N. lat., 123[deg]14.60' W. long.;
    (17) 38[deg]0.27' N. lat., 123[deg]15.29' W. long.;
    (18) 37[deg]56.93' N. lat., 123[deg]21.61' W. long.;
    (19) 37[deg]48.01' N. lat., 123[deg]15.84' W. long.;
    (20) 37[deg]36.77' N. lat., 122[deg]58.48' W. long.;
    (21) 37[deg]1.02' N. lat., 122[deg]33.71' W. long.;
    (22) 37[deg]2.28' N. lat., 122[deg]25.06' W. long.;
    (23) 36[deg]48.20' N. lat., 122[deg]3.28' W. long.;
    (24) 36[deg]51.46' N. lat., 121[deg]57.54' W. long.;
    (25) 36[deg]44.14' N. lat., 121[deg]58.10' W. long.;
    (26) 36[deg]36.76' N. lat., 122[deg]1.16' W. long.;
    (27) 36[deg]15.62' N. lat., 121[deg]57.13' W. long.;
    (28) 36[deg]10.60' N. lat., 121[deg]43.65' W. long.;
    (29) 35[deg]40.38' N. lat., 121[deg]22.59' W. long.;
    (30) 35[deg]24.35' N. lat., 121[deg]2.53' W. long.;
    (31) 35[deg]2.66' N. lat., 120[deg]51.63' W. long.;
    (32) 34[deg]39.52' N. lat., 120[deg]48.72' W. long.;
    (33) 34[deg]31.26' N. lat., 120[deg]44.12' W. long.; and
    (34) 34[deg]27.00' N. lat., 120[deg]31.25' W. long.
    (viii) The 100-fm (183-m) depth contour used between 34[deg]27' N. 
lat. and the U.S. border with Mexico as an eastern boundary for the 
trawl RCA is defined by straight lines connecting all of the following 
points in the order stated:
    (1) 34[deg]27.00' N. lat., 120[deg]31.74' W. long.;
    (2) 34[deg]21.90' N. lat., 120[deg]25.25' W. long.;
    (3) 34[deg]24.86' N. lat., 120[deg]16.81' W. long.;
    (4) 34[deg]22.80' N. lat., 119[deg]57.06' W. long.;
    (5) 34[deg]18.59' N. lat., 119[deg]44.84' W. long.;
    (6) 34[deg]15.04' N. lat., 119[deg]40.34' W. long.;
    (7) 34[deg]14.40' N. lat., 119[deg]45.39' W. long.;
    (8) 34[deg]12.32' N. lat., 119[deg]42.41' W. long.;
    (9) 34[deg]9.71' N. lat., 119[deg]28.85' W. long.;
    (10) 34[deg]4.70' N. lat., 119[deg]15.38' W. long.;
    (11) 34[deg]3.33' N. lat., 119[deg]12.93' W. long.;
    (12) 34[deg]2.72' N. lat., 119[deg]7.01' W. long.;
    (13) 34[deg]3.90' N. lat., 119[deg]4.64' W. long.;
    (14) 34[deg]1.80' N. lat., 119[deg]3.23' W. long.;
    (15) 33[deg]59.32' N. lat., 119[deg]3.50' W. long.;
    (16) 33[deg]59.00' N. lat., 118[deg]59.55' W. long.;
    (17) 33[deg]59.51' N. lat., 118[deg]57.25' W. long.;
    (18) 33[deg]58.82' N. lat., 118[deg]52.47' W. long.;
    (19) 33[deg]58.54' N. lat., 118[deg]41.86' W. long.;
    (20) 33[deg]55.07' N. lat., 118[deg]34.25' W. long.;
    (21) 33[deg]54.28' N. lat., 118[deg]38.68' W. long.;
    (22) 33[deg]51.00' N. lat., 118[deg]36.66' W. long.;
    (23) 33[deg]39.77' N. lat., 118[deg]18.41' W. long.;
    (24) 33[deg]35.50' N. lat., 118[deg]16.85' W. long.;
    (25) 33[deg]32.68' N. lat., 118[deg]9.82' W. long.;
    (26) 33[deg]34.09' N. lat., 117[deg]54.06' W. long.;
    (27) 33[deg]31.60' N. lat., 117[deg]49.28' W. long.;
    (28) 33[deg]16.07' N. lat., 117[deg]34.74' W. long.;
    (29) 33[deg]7.06' N. lat., 117[deg]22.71' W. long.;

[[Page 920]]

    (30) 32[deg]53.34' N. lat., 117[deg]19.13' W. long.;
    (31) 32[deg]46.39' N. lat., 117[deg]23.45' W. long.;
    (32) 32[deg]42.79' N. lat., 117[deg]21.16' W. long.; and
    (33) 32[deg]34.22' N. lat., 117[deg]21.20' W. long.
    (ix) The 150-fm (274-m) depth contour used between 38[deg] N. lat. 
and the U.S. border with Mexico as a western boundary for both the 
trawl RCA and the non-trawl RCA is defined by straight lines connecting 
all of the following points in the order stated:
    (1) 37[deg]59.73' N. lat., 123[deg]29.85' W. long.;
    (2) 37[deg]51.46' N. lat., 123[deg]25.16' W. long.;
    (3) 37[deg]44.06' N. lat., 123[deg]11.44' W. long.;
    (4) 37[deg]35.26' N. lat., 123[deg]2.29' W. long.;
    (5) 37[deg]14.00' N. lat., 122[deg]50.00' W. long.;
    (6) 37[deg]1.00' N. lat., 122[deg]36.00' W. long.;
    (7) 36[deg]58.07' N. lat., 122[deg]28.35' W. long.;
    (8) 37[deg]0.71' N. lat., 122[deg]24.53' W. long.;
    (9) 36[deg]57.50' N. lat., 122[deg]24.98' W. long.;
    (10) 36[deg]58.38' N. lat., 122[deg]21.85' W. long.;
    (11) 36[deg]55.85' N. lat., 122[deg]21.95' W. long.;
    (12) 36[deg]52.86' N. lat., 122[deg]12.89' W. long.;
    (13) 36[deg]48.71' N. lat., 122[deg]9.28' W. long.;
    (14) 36[deg]46.65' N. lat., 122[deg]4.10' W. long.;
    (15) 36[deg]51.00' N. lat., 121[deg]58.00' W. long.;
    (16) 36[deg]44.00' N. lat., 121[deg]59.00' W. long.;
    (17) 36[deg]38.00' N. lat., 122[deg]2.00' W. long.;
    (18) 36[deg]26.00' N. lat., 121[deg]59.05' W. long.;
    (19) 36[deg]22.00' N. lat., 122[deg]1.00' W. long.;
    (20) 36[deg]19.00' N. lat., 122[deg]5.00' W. long.;
    (21) 36[deg]14.00' N. lat., 121[deg]58.00' W. long.;
    (22) 36[deg]10.61' N. lat., 121[deg]44.51' W. long.;
    (23) 35[deg]50.53' N. lat., 121[deg]29.93' W. long.;
    (24) 35[deg]46.00' N. lat., 121[deg]28.00' W. long.;
    (25) 35[deg]38.94' N. lat., 121[deg]23.16' W. long.;
    (26) 35[deg]26.00' N. lat., 121[deg]8.00' W. long.;
    (27) 35[deg]7.42' N. lat., 120[deg]57.08' W. long.;
    (28) 34[deg]42.00' N. lat., 120[deg]54.00' W. long.;
    (29) 34[deg]29.00' N. lat., 120[deg]44.00' W. long.;
    (30) 34[deg]22.00' N. lat., 120[deg]32.00' W. long.;
    (31) 34[deg]21.00' N. lat., 120[deg]21.00' W. long.;
    (32) 34[deg]24.00' N. lat., 120[deg]15.00' W. long.;
    (33) 34[deg]22.11' N. lat., 119[deg]56.63' W. long.;
    (34) 34[deg]19.00' N. lat., 119[deg]48.00' W. long.;
    (35) 34[deg]15.00' N. lat., 119[deg]48.00' W. long.;
    (36) 34[deg]8.00' N. lat., 119[deg]37.00' W. long.;
    (37) 34[deg]7.00' N. lat., 120[deg]11.00' W. long.;
    (38) 34[deg]13.00' N. lat., 120[deg]30.00' W. long.;
    (39) 34[deg]9.00' N. lat., 120[deg]38.00' W. long.;
    (40) 33[deg]58.00' N. lat., 120[deg]29.00' W. long.;
    (41) 33[deg]51.00' N. lat., 120[deg]9.00' W. long.;
    (42) 33[deg]38.00' N. lat., 119[deg]58.00' W. long.;
    (43) 33[deg]38.00' N. lat., 119[deg]50.00' W. long.;
    (44) 33[deg]46.25' N. lat., 119[deg]49.32' W. long.;
    (45) 33[deg]53.82' N. lat., 119[deg]53.42' W. long.;
    (46) 33[deg]59.00' N. lat., 119[deg]21.00' W. long.;
    (47) 34[deg]2.00' N. lat., 119[deg]13.00' W. long.;
    (48) 34[deg]1.52' N. lat., 119[deg]4.50' W. long.;
    (49) 33[deg]58.83' N. lat., 119[deg]3.76' W. long.;
    (50) 33[deg]56.55' N. lat., 118[deg]40.50' W. long.;
    (51) 33[deg]51.00' N. lat., 118[deg]38.00' W. long.;
    (52) 33[deg]39.63' N. lat., 118[deg]18.75' W. long.;
    (53) 33[deg]35.44' N. lat., 118[deg]17.57' W. long.;
    (54) 33[deg]31.98' N. lat., 118[deg]12.59' W. long.;
    (55) 33[deg]33.25' N. lat., 117[deg]54.15' W. long.;
    (56) 33[deg]31.43' N. lat., 117[deg]49.84' W. long.;
    (57) 33[deg]16.53' N. lat., 117[deg]36.13' W. long.;
    (58) 33[deg]6.51' N. lat., 117[deg]24.11' W. long.;
    (59) 32[deg]54.11' N. lat., 117[deg]21.45' W. long.;
    (60) 32[deg]46.15' N. lat., 117[deg]24.26' W. long.;
    (61) 32[deg]41.97' N. lat., 117[deg]22.10' W. long.;
    (62) 32[deg]39.00' N. lat., 117[deg]28.13' W. long.; and
    (63) 32[deg]34.84' N. lat., 117[deg]24.62' W. long.
    (x) The 150-fm (274-m) depth contour used around islands/seamounts 
off the state of California is defined by straight lines around each 
island/seamount connecting all of the following points in the order 
stated:
    (A) San Nicholas Island
    (1) 33[deg]32.73' N. lat., 119[deg]47.00' W. long.;
    (2) 33[deg]14.00' N. lat., 119[deg]15.00' W. long.;
    (3) 33[deg]12.00' N. lat., 119[deg]18.00' W. long.;
    (4) 33[deg]11.00' N. lat., 119[deg]26.00' W. long.;
    (5) 33[deg]13.13' N. lat., 119[deg]43.19' W. long.;
    (6) 33[deg]13.11' N. lat., 119[deg]53.05' W. long.;
    (7) 33[deg]30.00' N. lat., 119[deg]52.00' W. long.; and
    (8) 33[deg]32.73' N. lat., 119[deg]47.00' W. long.
    (B) Santa Catalina Island
    (1) 33[deg]19.00' N. lat., 118[deg]15.00' W. long.;
    (2) 33[deg]26.00' N. lat., 118[deg]22.00' W. long.;
    (3) 33[deg]28.00' N. lat., 118[deg]28.00' W. long.;
    (4) 33[deg]30.00' N. lat., 118[deg]31.00' W. long.;
    (5) 33[deg]31.00' N. lat., 118[deg]37.00' W. long.;
    (6) 33[deg]29.00' N. lat., 118[deg]41.00' W. long.;
    (7) 33[deg]23.00' N. lat., 118[deg]31.00' W. long.;
    (8) 33[deg]21.00' N. lat., 118[deg]33.00' W. long.;
    (9) 33[deg]18.00' N. lat., 118[deg]28.00' W. long.;
    (10) 33[deg]16.00' N. lat., 118[deg]13.00' W. long.; and
    (11) 33[deg]19.00' N. lat., 118[deg]15.00' W. long.
    (C) San Clemente Island
    (1) 32[deg]48.50' N. lat., 118[deg]18.34' W. long.;
    (2) 32[deg]56.00' N. lat., 118[deg]29.00' W. long.;
    (3) 33[deg]3.00' N. lat., 118[deg]34.00' W. long.;
    (4) 33[deg]5.00' N. lat., 118[deg]38.00' W. long.;
    (5) 33[deg]3.00' N. lat., 118[deg]40.00' W. long.;
    (6) 32[deg]48.00' N. lat., 118[deg]31.00' W. long.;
    (7) 32[deg]43.00' N. lat., 118[deg]24.00' W. long.; and
    (8) 32[deg]48.50' N. lat., 118[deg]18.34' W. long.
    (D) Santa Barbara Island
    (1) 33[deg]36.06' N. lat., 118[deg]57.15' W. long.;
    (2) 33[deg]20.64' N. lat., 118[deg]59.39' W. long.;

[[Page 921]]

    (3) 33[deg]23.00' N. lat., 119[deg]7.00' W. long.;
    (4) 33[deg]43.00' N. lat., 119[deg]14.00' W. long.;
    (5) 33[deg]46.00' N. lat., 119[deg]12.00' W. long.; and
    (6) 33[deg]36.06' N. lat., 118[deg]57.15' W. long.
    (E) Orange County Seamount
    (1) 33[deg]25.00' N. lat., 118[deg]1.00' W. long.;
    (2) 33[deg]25.00' N. lat., 117[deg]58.00' W. long.;
    (3) 33[deg]23.00' N. lat., 117[deg]58.00' W. long.;
    (4) 33[deg]23.00' N. lat., 118[deg]1.00' W. long.; and
    (5) 33[deg]25.00' N. lat., 118[deg]1.00' W. long.
    (20) Rockfish categories. Rockfish (except thornyheads) are divided 
into categories north and south of 40[deg]10' N. lat., depending on the 
depth where they most often are caught: nearshore, shelf, or slope 
(scientific names appear in Table 2). Nearshore rockfish are further 
divided into shallow nearshore and deeper nearshore categories south of 
40[deg]10' N. lat. Trip limits are established for ``minor rockfish'' 
species according to these categories (see Tables 2-5).
    (a) Nearshore rockfish consists entirely of the minor nearshore 
rockfish species listed in Table 2, which includes California 
scorpionfish.
    (i) Shallow nearshore rockfish consists of black-and-yellow 
rockfish, China rockfish, gopher rockfish, grass rockfish, and kelp 
rockfish.
    (ii) Deeper nearshore rockfish consists of black rockfish, blue 
rockfish, brown rockfish, calico rockfish, copper rockfish, olive 
rockfish, quillback rockfish, and treefish.
    (iii) California scorpionfish.
    (b) Shelf rockfish consists of canary rockfish, shortbelly 
rockfish, widow rockfish, yelloweye rockfish, yellowtail rockfish, 
bocaccio, chilipepper, cowcod, and the minor shelf rockfish species 
listed in Table 2.
    (c) Slope rockfish consists of POP, splitnose rockfish, 
darkblotched rockfish, and the minor slope rockfish species listed in 
Table 2.
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[[Page 923]]



B. Limited Entry Fishery

    (1) General. Most species taken in limited entry fisheries will be 
managed with cumulative trip limits (see paragraph A.(1)(d),) size 
limits (see paragraph A.(6)), seasons (see paragraph A.(7)), and areas 
that are closed to specific gear types. The trawl fishery has gear 
requirements and trip limits that differ by the type of trawl gear on 
board (see paragraph A.(14)). Cowcod retention is prohibited in all 
fisheries and groundfish vessels operating south of Point Conception 
must adhere to CCA restrictions (see paragraph A.(20)). Yelloweye 
rockfish retention is prohibited in the limited entry fixed gear 
fisheries. Most of the management measures for the limited entry 
fishery are listed above and in the following tables: Table 3 (North), 
Table 3 (South), Table 4 (North), and Table 4 (South). A header in 
Table 3 (North), Table 3 (South), Table 4 (North), and Table 5 (South) 
approximates the Rockfish Conservation Area (i.e., closed area) for 
vessels participating in the limited entry fishery. [Note: Between a 
line drawn due south from Point Fermin (33[deg] 42' 30'' N. lat.; 
118[deg] 17' 30'' W. long.) and a line drawn due west from the Newport, 
South Jetty (33[deg] 35' 37'' N. lat.; 117[deg] 52' 50'' W. long.,) 
vessels fishing with hook-and-line- and/or trap (or pot) gear may 
operate from shore to a boundary line approximating 50 fm (91 m).]
    Management measures may be changed during the year by announcement 
in the Federal Register. However, the management regimes for several 
fisheries (nontrawl sablefish, Pacific whiting, and black rockfish) do 
not neatly fit into these tables and are addressed immediately 
following Table 3 (North), Table 3 (South), Table 4 (North), and Table 
4 (South).

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[[Page 928]]

    (2) Sablefish. The limited entry sablefish allocation is further 
allocated 58 percent to trawl gear and 42 percent to nontrawl gear.
    (a) Trawl trip and size limits. Management measures for the limited 
entry trawl fishery for sablefish are listed in Table 3 (North) and 
Table 3 (South).
    (b) Nontrawl (fixed gear) trip and size limits. To take, retain, 
possess, or land sablefish during the primary season for the limited 
entry fixed gear sablefish fishery, the owner of a vessel must hold a 
limited entry permit for that vessel, affixed with both a gear 
endorsement for longline or trap (or pot) gear, and a sablefish 
endorsement. (See 50 CFR 663.323(a)(2)(i).) A sablefish endorsement is 
not required to participate in the limited entry daily trip limit 
fishery.
    (i) Primary season. The primary season begins at 12 noon l.t. on 
April 1, 2003, and ends at 12 noon l.t. on October 31, 2003. There are 
no pre-season or post-season closures. During the primary season, each 
vessel with at least one limited entry permit with a sablefish 
endorsement that is registered for use with that vessel may land up to 
the cumulative trip limit for each of the sablefish-endorsed limited 
entry permits registered for use with that vessel, for the tier(s) to 
which the permit(s) are assigned. For 2003, the following limits would 
be in effect: Tier 1, 53,000 lb (24,040 kg); Tier 2, 24,000 lb (10,886 
kg); Tier 3, 14,000 lb (6,350 kg). All limits are in round weight. If a 
vessel is registered for use with a sablefish-endorsed limited entry 
permit, all sablefish taken after April 1, 2003, count against the 
cumulative limits associated with the permit(s) registered for use with 
that vessel.
    (ii) Daily trip limit. Daily and/or weekly sablefish trip limits 
listed in Table 4 (North) and Table 4 (South) apply to any limited 
entry fixed gear vessels not participating in the primary sablefish 
season described in paragraph (i) of this section. North of 36[deg] N. 
lat., the daily and/or weekly trip limits apply to fixed gear vessels 
that are not registered for use with a sablefish-endorsed limited entry 
permit, and to fixed gear vessels that are registered for use with a 
sablefish-endorsed limited entry permit when those vessels are not 
fishing against their primary sablefish season cumulative limits. South 
of 36[deg] N. lat., the daily and/or weekly trip limits for taking and 
retaining sablefish that are listed in Table 4 (South) apply throughout 
the year to all vessels registered for use with a limited entry fixed 
gear permit.
    (iii) Participating in both the primary and daily trip limit 
fisheries. A vessel that is eligible to participate in the primary 
sablefish season may participate in the daily trip limit fishery for 
sablefish once that vessel's primary season sablefish limit(s) have 
been taken or after October 31, 2003, whichever occurs first. No vessel 
may land sablefish against both its primary season cumulative sablefish 
limits and against the daily trip limit fishery limits within the same 
24 hour period of 0001 hour l.t. to 2400 hours l.t. If a vessel has 
taken all of its tier limit except for an amount that is smaller than 
the daily trip limit amount, that vessel's subsequent sablefish 
landings are automatically subject to daily and/or weekly trip limits.
    (3) Whiting. Additional regulations that apply to the whiting 
fishery are found at 50 CFR 660.306 and at 50 CFR 660.323(a)(3) and 
(a)(4).
    (a) Allocations. The non-tribal allocations, based on percentages 
that are applied to the commercial OY of 121,200 mt in 2003 (see 50 CFR 
660.323 (a)(4)), are as follows:
    (i) Catcher/processor sector--41,288 mt (34 percent);
    (ii) Mothership sector--29,080 mt (24 percent);
    (iii) Shore-based sector--50,904 mt (42 percent). No more than 5 
percent (2,545 mt) of the shore-based whiting allocation may be taken 
before the shore-based fishery begins north of 42[deg] N. lat. on June 
15, 2003.
    (iv) Tribal allocation--See paragraph V.
    (b) Seasons. The 2003 primary seasons for the whiting fishery start 
on the same dates as in 2002, as follows (see 50 CFR 660.323(a)(3)):
    (i) Catcher/processor sector--May 15;
    (ii) Mothership sector--May 15;
    (iii) Shore-based sector--June 15 north of 42[deg] N. lat.; April 1 
between 42[deg]-40[deg]30' N. lat.; April 15 south of 40[deg]30' N. 
lat.
    (c) Trip limits. (i) Before and after the regular season. The ``per 
trip'' limit for whiting before and after the regular season for the 
shore-based sector is announced in Table 3 (North) and Table 3 (South), 
as authorized at 50 CFR 660.323(a)(3) and (a)(4). This trip limit 
includes any whiting caught shoreward of 100 fathoms (183 m) in the 
Eureka area.
    (ii) Inside the Eureka 100 fm (183 m) contour. No more than 10,000 
lb (4,536 kg) of whiting may be taken and retained, possessed, or 
landed by a vessel that, at any time during ax fishing trip, fished in 
the fishery management area shoreward of the 100 fathom (183 m) contour 
(as shown on NOAA Charts 18580, 18600, and 18620) in the Eureka area.
    (4) Black rockfish. The regulations at 50 CFR 660.323(a)(1) state: 
``The trip limit for black rockfish (Sebastes melanops) for commercial 
fishing vessels using hook-and-line gear between the U.S.-Canada border 
and Cape Alava (48[deg]09'30'' N. lat.) and between Destruction Island 
(47[deg]40'00'' N. lat.) and Leadbetter Point (46[deg]38'10'' N. lat.), 
is 100 lb (45 kg) or 30 percent, by weight of all fish on board, 
whichever is greater, per vessel per fishing trip.'' These ``per trip'' 
limits apply to limited entry and open access fisheries, in conjunction 
with the cumulative trip limits and other management measures listed in 
Tables 4 (North) and Table 5 (North) of NMFS Actions. The crossover 
provisions at paragraphs A.(12) do not apply to the black rockfish per-
trip limits.

C. Trip Limits in the Open Access Fishery

    (1) General. Open access gear is gear used to take and retain 
groundfish from a vessel that does not have a valid permit for the 
Pacific Coast groundfish fishery with an endorsement for the gear used 
to harvest the groundfish. This includes longline, trap, pot, hook-and-
line (fixed or mobile), setnet and trammel net (south of 38[deg] N. 
lat. only), and exempted trawl gear (trawls used to target non-
groundfish species: pink shrimp or prawns, and, south of Pt. Arena, CA 
(38[deg]57'30'' N. lat.), California halibut or sea cucumbers). Unless 
otherwise specified, a vessel operating in the open access fishery is 
subject to, and must not exceed any trip limit, frequency limit, and/or 
size limit for the open access fishery. Groundfish species taken in 
open access fisheries will be managed with cumulative trip limits (see 
paragraph A.(1)(d)), size limits (see paragraph A.(6)), seasons (see 
paragraph A.(7)), and closed areas. Cowcod retention is prohibited in 
all fisheries and groundfish vessels operating south of Point 
Conception must adhere to CCA restrictions (see paragraph A.(19)). 
Retention of yelloweye rockfish and canary rockfish and, south of 
40[deg]10' N. lat., bocaccio is prohibited in all open access 
fisheries. The trip limits, size limits, seasons, and other management 
measures for open access groundfish gear, including exempted trawl 
gear, are listed in Table 5 (North) and Table 5 (South). A header in 
Table 5 (North) and Table 5 (South) approximates the Rockfish 
Conservation Area (i.e., closed area) for vessels participating in the 
open access fishery. [Note: Between a line drawn due south from Point 
Fermin (33[deg]42'30'' N. lat.; 118[deg]17'30'' W. long.)

[[Page 929]]

and a line drawn due west from the Newport South Jetty (33[deg]35'37'' 
N. lat.; 117[deg]52'50'' W. long.,) vessels fishing with hook-and-line 
and/or trap (or pot) gear may operate from shore to a boundary line 
approximating 50 fm (91 m) in the months of July and August.] For 
vessels participating in exempted trawl fisheries, the RCAs are the 
same as those for limited entry trawl gear. Exempted trawl gear RCAs 
are detailed in the exempted trawl gear sections at the bottom of Table 
5 (North) and Table 5 (South). Retention of groundfish caught by 
exempted trawl gear is prohibited in the designated RCAs. The trip 
limit at 50 CFR 660.323(a)(i) for black rockfish caught with hook-and-
line gear also applies. (The black rockfish limit is repeated at 
paragraph B.(4).)
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BILLING CODE 3510-22-C

[[Page 931]]

    (2) Groundfish taken with exempted trawl gear by vessels engaged in 
fishing for spot and ridgeback prawns, California halibut, or sea 
cucumbers. [Note: The States of California and Washington will likely 
prohibit trawling for spot prawn beginning in 2003, while the State of 
Oregon will likely begin phasing out trawling for spot prawn in 2003.] 
Trip limits and RCAs for groundfish retained in the spot and ridgeback 
prawn, California halibut, or sea cucumber fisheries are in Table 5 
(North) and Table 5 (South).
    (a) State law. The trip limits in Table 5(North) and Table 5(South) 
are not intended to supersede any more restrictive state law relating 
to the retention of groundfish taken in shrimp or prawn pots or traps.
    (b) Participation in the California halibut fishery. A trawl vessel 
will be considered participating in the California halibut fishery if:
    (i) It is not fishing under a valid limited entry permit issued 
under 50 CFR 660.333 for trawl gear;
    (ii) All fishing on the trip takes place south of Pt. Arena, CA, 
and;
    (iii) The landing includes California halibut of a size required by 
California Fish and Game Code section 8392(a), which states: ``No 
California halibut may be taken, possessed or sold which measures less 
than 22 in (56 cm) in total length, unless it weighs 4 lbs (1.8144 kg) 
or more in the round, 3 and one-half lbs (1.587 kg) or more dressed 
with the head on, or 3 lbs (1.3608 kg) or more dressed with the head 
off. Total length means ``the shortest distance between the tip of the 
jaw or snout, whichever extends farthest while the mouth is closed, and 
the tip of the longest lobe of the tail, measured while the halibut is 
lying flat in natural repose, without resort to any force other than 
the swinging or fanning of the tail.''
    (c) Participation in the sea cucumber fishery. A trawl vessel will 
be considered to be participating in the sea cucumber fishery if:
    (i) It is not fishing under a valid limited entry permit issued 
under 50 CFR 660.333 for trawl gear;
    (ii) All fishing on the trip takes place south of Pt. Arena, CA, 
and;
    (iii) The landing includes sea cucumbers taken in accordance with 
California Fish and Game Code, section 8405, which requires a permit 
issued by the State of California.
    (3) Groundfish taken with exempted trawl gear by vessels engaged in 
fishing for pink shrimp. Trip limits for groundfish retained in the 
pink shrimp fishery are in Table 5 (North) and Table 5 (South). 
Notwithstanding section A.(11), a vessel that takes and retains pink 
shrimp and also takes and retains groundfish in either the limited 
entry or another open access fishery during the same applicable 
cumulative limit period that it takes and retains pink shrimp (which 
may be 1 month or 2 months, depending on the fishery and the time of 
year), may retain the larger of the two limits, but only if the 
limit(s) for each gear or fishery are not exceeded when operating in 
that fishery or with that gear. The limits are not additive; the vessel 
may not retain a separate trip limit for each fishery.

D. Recreational Fishery

    Federal recreational groundfish regulations are not intended to 
supersede any more restrictive state recreational groundfish 
regulations relating to federally managed groundfish.
    (1) Washington. For each person engaged in recreational fishing 
seaward of Washington, the groundfish bag limit is 15 groundfish, 
including rockfish and lingcod, and is open year-round (except for 
lingcod). The following sublimits and closed areas apply:
    (a) Yelloweye Rockfish Conservation Area. The YRCA is a ``C-
shaped'' area which is closed to recreational groundfish and halibut 
fishing. The coordinates for the YRCA are defined at A.(19).
    (b) Rockfish. In areas seaward of Washington that are open to 
recreational groundfish fishing, there is a 10-rockfish per day bag 
limit, of which no more than 1 may be canary rockfish. Taking and 
retaining yelloweye rockfish is prohibited.
    (c) Lingcod. Recreational fishing for lingcod is closed between 
January 1 and March 15, and between October 16 and December 31. In 
areas seaward of Washington that are open to recreational groundfish 
fishing and when the recreational season for lingcod is open (i.e., 
between March 16-October 15), there is a bag limit of 2 lingcod per 
day, which may be no smaller than 24 in (61 cm) total length.
    (2) Oregon. The bag limits for each person engaged in recreational 
fishing seaward of Oregon are 2 lingcod per day, which may be no 
smaller than 24 in (61 cm) total length; and 10 marine fish per day, 
which excludes salmon, tuna, surfperch, sanddab, lingcod, and baitfish, 
but which includes rockfish and other groundfish. The minimum size 
limit for cabezon retained in the recreational fishery is 15 in (38 
cm). Within the 10 marine fish bag limit, no more than 1 may be canary 
rockfish, no more than 1 may be yelloweye rockfish and when the all-
depth recreational fisheries for Pacific halibut (Hippoglossus 
stenolopis) are open, the first Pacific halibut taken of 32 in (81 cm) 
or greater in length may be retained. During the all-depth recreational 
fisheries for Pacific halibut, vessels with halibut on board may not 
take, retain, possess or land yelloweye rockfish or canary rockfish.
    (3) California. Seaward of California (north and south of 
40[deg]10' N. lat.), California law provides that, in times and areas 
when the recreational fishery is open, there is a 20-fish bag limit for 
all species of finfish, within which no more than 10 fish of any one 
species may be taken or possessed by any one person. Retention of 
cowcod is prohibited in California's recreational fishery all year in 
all areas.
    (a) North of 40[deg]10' N. lat. North of 40[deg]10' N. lat. to the 
California/Oregon border, California's recreational groundfish fishery 
will generally conform with Oregon's recreational regulations (see 
D.(2)). For each person engaged in recreational fishing seaward of 
California north of 40[deg]10' N. lat., the following seasons, bag 
limits, and size limits apply:
    (i) RCG Complex. The California rockfish, cabezon, greenling 
complex (RCG Complex), as defined in state regulation (Section 1.91, 
Title 14, California Code of Regulations), includes all rockfish, kelp 
greenling, rock greenling, and cabezon. This category does not include 
California scorpionfish, also known as ``sculpin.''
    (A) Seasons. North of 40[deg]10' N. lat., recreational fishing for 
the RCG Complex is open from January 1 through December 31.
    (B) Bag limits, boat limits, hook limits. North of 40[deg]10' N. 
lat., the bag limit is 10 rockfish per day, of which no more than 2 may 
be bocaccio, 1 may be canary rockfish, and no more than 1 per day up to 
a maximum of two per boat may be yelloweye rockfish. The following 
daily bag limits also apply: no more than 10 cabezon per day and no 
more than 10 greenlings (kelp and/or rock greenlings) per day. Multi-
day limits are authorized by a valid permit issued by California and 
must not exceed the daily limit multiplied by the number of days in the 
fishing trip.
    (C) Size limits. The following size limits apply: cabezon may be no 
smaller than 15 in (38 cm) total length and kelp and rock greenling may 
be no smaller than 12 in (30 cm) total length.
    (D) Dressing/filleting. Cabezon, kelp greenling, and rock greenling 
taken in the recreational fishery may not be filleted at sea. Rockfish 
skin may not be removed when filleting or otherwise dressing rockfish 
taken in the recreational fishery. Brown-skinned

[[Page 932]]

rockfish fillets may be no smaller than 6.5 in (16.6 cm). ``Brown-
skinned'' rockfish include the following species: brown, calico, 
copper, gopher, kelp, olive, speckled, squarespot, and yellowtail.
    (ii) Lingcod.
    (A) Seasons. North of 40[deg]10' N. lat., recreational fishing for 
lingcod is open from January 1 through December 31.
    (B) Bag limits, boat limits, hook limits. North of 40[deg]10' N. 
lat., the bag limit is 2 lingcod per day. Multi-day limits are 
authorized by a valid permit issued by California and must not exceed 
the daily limit multiplied by the number of days in the fishing trip.
    (C) Size limits. Lingcod may be no smaller than 24 in (61 cm) total 
length.
    (D) Dressing/fileting. Lingcod filets may be no smaller than 16 in. 
(41 cm) in length .
    (b) South of 40[deg]10' N. lat. For each person engaged in 
recreational fishing seaward of California south of 40[deg]10' N. lat., 
the following seasons, bag limits, size limits and closed areas apply:
    (i) Closed Areas.
    (A) Cowcod Conservation Areas. Recreational fishing for groundfish 
is prohibited within the CCAs, for coordinates described in Federal 
regulations at 50 CFR 660.304(c), except that fishing for sanddabs is 
permitted subject to the provisions in paragraph D.(3)(iv) and that 
fishing for species managed under this section (not including cowcod, 
bocaccio, canary, and yelloweye rockfishes) is permitted in waters 
shoreward of the 20- fm (37-m) depth contour within the CCAs from July 
1 through December 31, 2003, subject to the bag limits in this section.
    (B) South of 40[deg]10' N. lat., recreational fishing for all 
groundfish, including lingcod, is prohibited seaward of the 20-fm (37-
m) depth contour, except that recreational fishing for sanddabs is 
permitted seaward of the 20-fm (37-m) depth contour subject to the 
provisions in paragraph D.(3)(iv).
    (ii) RCG Complex. The California rockfish, cabezon, greenling 
complex (RCG Complex), as defined in state regulations (Section 1.91, 
Title 14, California Code of Regulations), includes all rockfish, kelp 
greenling, rock greenling, and cabezon. This category does not include 
California scorpionfish, also known as ``sculpin.''
    (A) Seasons. South of 40[deg]10' N. lat., recreational fishing for 
the RCG Complex is open from July 1 through December 31 (i.e., it's 
closed from January 1 through June 30). When recreational fishing for 
the RCG Complex is open, it is permitted only inside the 20-fm (37-m) 
depth contour, subject to the bag limits in paragraph (B) of this 
section.
    (B) Bag limits, boat limits, hook limits. South of 40[deg]10' N. 
lat., in times and areas when the recreational season for the RCG 
Complex is open, there is a limit of 2-hooks and one line when fishing 
for rockfish, and the bag limit is 10 RCG Complex fish per day, of 
which up to 10 may be rockfish, no more than 2 of which may be shallow 
nearshore rockfish. [Note: The shallow nearshore rockfish group off 
California are composed of kelp, grass, black-and-yellow, China, and 
gopher rockfishes.] Also within the 10 RCG Complex fish per day limit, 
no more than 2 groundfish per day may be greenlings (kelp and/or rock 
greenlings) and no more than 3 groundfish per day may be cabezon. 
Lingcod, California scorpionfish, and sanddabs taken in recreational 
fisheries off California do not count toward the 10 RCG Complex fish 
per day bag limit. Multi-day limits are authorized by a valid permit 
issued by California and must not exceed the daily limit multiplied by 
the number of days in the fishing trip.
    (C) Size limits. The following size limits apply: cabezon may be no 
smaller than 15 in (38 cm) and kelp and rock greenling may be no 
smaller than 12 in (30 cm).
    (D) Dressing/filleting. Cabezon, kelp greenling, and rock greenling 
taken in the recreational fishery may not be filleted at sea. Rockfish 
skin may not be removed when filleting or otherwise dressing rockfish 
taken in the recreational fishery. Brown-skinned rockfish filets may be 
no smaller than 6.5 in (16.6 cm). ``Brown-skinned'' rockfish include 
the following species: brown, calico, copper, gopher, kelp, olive, 
speckled, squarespot, and yellowtail.
    (iii) California scorpionfish. California scorpionfish only occur 
south of 40[deg]10' N. lat. (A) Seasons. South of 40[deg]10' N. lat., 
recreational fishing for California scorpionfish is closed from March 1 
through June 30 (i.e., the California scorpionfish season is open 
during January-February and during July-December). When recreational 
fishing for California scorpionfish is open, it is permitted only 
inside the 20-fm (37-m) depth contour (except at Huntington Flats 
between a line drawn due south from Point Fermin (33 42'30'' N. lat.; 
118 17'30'' W. long.) and a line drawn due west from the Newport South 
Jetty (33 35'37'' N. lat.; 117 52'50'' W. long.,) recreational fishing 
for California scorpionfish may occur from shore to a boundary line 
approximating 50-fm (91-m) during July-August), subject to the bag 
limits in paragraph (B) of this section.
    (B) Bag limits, boat limits, hook limits. South of 40[deg]10' N. 
lat., in times and areas where the recreational season for California 
scorpionfish is open, and the bag limit is 5 California scorpionfish 
per day. California scorpionfish do not count against the 10 RCG 
Complex fish per day limit. Multi-day limits are authorized by a valid 
permit issued by California and must not exceed the daily limit 
multiplied by the number of days in the fishing trip.
    (C) Size limits. California scorpionfish may be no smaller than 10 
in (25 cm) total length.
    (D) Dressing/filleting. California scorpionfish fillets may be no 
smaller than 5 in (12.8 cm).
    (iv) Lingcod. (A) Seasons. South of 40[deg]10' N. lat., 
recreational fishing for lingcod is open July 1 through December 31. 
When recreational fishing for lingcod is open in the south, it is 
permitted only inside the 20 fm (37 m) depth contour, subject to the 
bag limits in paragraph (B) of this section.
    (B) Bag limits, boat limits, hook limits. South of 40[deg]10' N. 
lat., in times and areas when the recreational season for lingcod is 
open, there is a limit of 2-hooks and one line when fishing for 
lingcod, and the bag limit is 2 lingcod per day. Lingcod do not count 
against the 10 RCG Complex fish per day limit. Multi-day limits are 
authorized by a valid permit issued by California and must not exceed 
the daily limit multiplied by the number of days in the fishing trip.
    (C) Size limits. Lingcod may be no smaller than 24 in (61 cm) total 
length.
    (D) Dressing/filleting. Lingcod fillets may be no smaller than 16 
in. (41 cm) in length.
    (iv) Sanddabs. South of 40[deg]10' N. lat., recreational fishing 
for sanddabs is permitted both shoreward and seaward of the 20-fm (37-
m) depth contour (i.e., recreational fishing for sanddabs is permitted 
in all areas south of 40[deg]10' N. lat.). Recreational fishing for 
sanddabs is permitted seaward of the 20- fm (37-m) depth contour 
subject to a limit of up to 5-hooks ``Number 2'' or smaller, which 
measure 11 mm (0.44 inches) point to shank, and up to 1 lb (45 kg) of 
weight per line. There is no bag limit, season, or size limit for 
sanddabs, however, it is prohibited to fillet sanddabs at sea.

V. Washington Coastal Tribal Fisheries

    The legal basis for and background information on groundfish 
allocations harvest by the four Washington Coastal Tribes (Makah, 
Quileute, Hoh, and Quinault) with treaty rights to groundfish is 
described in the proposed

[[Page 933]]

rule to implement the 2003 groundfish specifications and management 
measures in the Proposed Rules section of the January 7, 2003 issue of 
the Federal Register.
    The Assistant Administrator (AA) announces the following tribal 
allocations for 2003, including those that are the same as in 2002. 
Trip limits for certain species were recommended by the tribes and the 
Council and are specified here with the tribal allocations.

A. Sablefish

    The tribal allocation is 631 mt, 10 percent of the total catch OY, 
less 3 percent estimated discard mortality.

B. Rockfish

    (1) For the commercial harvest of black rockfish off Washington 
State, a harvest guideline of: 20,000 lb (9,072 kg) north of Cape Alava 
(48[deg]09'30'' N. lat.) and 10,000 lb (4,536 kg) between Destruction 
Island (47[deg]40'00'' N. lat.) and Leadbetter Point (46[deg]38'10'' N. 
lat.).
    (2) Thornyheads are subject to a 300-lb (136-kg) trip limit.
    (3) Canary rockfish are subject to a 300-lb (136-kg) trip limit.
    (4) Yelloweye rockfish are subject to a 100-lb (45-kg) trip limit.
    (5) Yellowtail rockfish taken in the tribal mid-water trawl 
fisheries are subject to a cumulative limit of 30,000 lb (13,608 kg) 
per two-month period. Landings of widow rockfish must not exceed 10 
percent of the weight of yellowtail rockfish landed in any two-month 
period. These limits may be adjusted by an individual tribe inseason to 
minimize the incidental catch of canary rockfish and widow rockfish.
    (6) Other rockfish, including minor nearshore, minor shelf, and 
minor slope rockfish groups are subject to a 300-lb (136-kg) trip limit 
per species or species group, or to the non-tribal limited entry trip 
limit for those species if those limits are less restrictive than 300-
lb (136-kg) per trip.
    (7) Rockfish taken during open competition tribal commercial 
fisheries for Pacific halibut will not be subject to trip limits.

C. Lingcod

    Lingcod are subject to a 300-lb (136-kg) daily trip limit and a 
900-lb (408-kg) weekly limit.

D. Pacific whiting

     The tribal allocation is 25,000 mt.

Classification

    These final management measures for January 1 through February 28, 
2003 are issued under the authority of, and are in accordance with, the 
Magnuson-Stevens Act and 50 CFR parts 600 and 660 subpart G (the 
regulations implementing the FMP).
    The AA finds good cause to waive the requirement to provide prior 
notice and opportunity for public comment on this action pursuant to 5 
U.S.C. 553(b)(B), because providing prior notice and comment would be 
impracticable and contrary to the public interest.
    The January-February management measures are intended to protect 
overfished and other depressed stocks while also allowing as much 
harvest of healthy stocks as possible. As explained above, delay in 
implementation of these regulatory measures could cause harm to some 
stocks and would require unnecessarily restrictive measures later in 
the year to make up for the late implementation. Because the 2002 
measures are not strict enough, leaving these measures in place could 
cause harm to some stocks. Much of the data necessary for these 
specifications and management measures came from the 2002 fishing year 
and new stock assessments were not available until June. Because of the 
timing of the receipt, development, review, and analysis of the fishery 
information necessary for setting the initial specifications and 
management measures, it is impracticable and contrary to the public 
interest to publish these measures in the Federal Register and to take 
public comment on the measures prior to January 1, 2002. It would be 
impracticable because, as explained above, providing prior notice would 
delay the effective date of these measures and the January-February 
2002 measures would remain in place. Because the 2002 measures are not 
conservative enough, they do not meet the Council's rebuilding goals 
for 2003. Leaving the 2002 measures in place for 2003 could cause harm 
to some stocks.
    For the reasons above, the AA also finds good cause under 5 U.S.C. 
553(d) to waive the requirement to delay for 30 days the effective date 
of the rule.
    Because there is no requirement to provide for prior notice and 
opportunity for public comment on this rule the analytical requirements 
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act do not apply. However, as described 
above, the January-February 2003 management measures are based on the 
overall analysis underlying the 2003 specifications and March-December 
2003 management measures which are proposed in the Proposed Rules 
section of this issue of the Federal Register. The Council's Initial 
Regulatory Flexibility analysis prepared for the 2003 specifications 
and management measures considers the effects of the January and 
February management measures on the fisheries.
    This action has been determined to be not significant for purposes 
of Executive Order 12866.
    Pursuant to Executive Order 13175, this emergency rule was 
developed after meaningful consultation and collaboration with tribal 
officials from the area covered by the FMP. Under the Magnuson-Stevens 
Act at 16 U.S.C. 1852(b)(5), one of the voting members of the Council 
must be a representative of an Indian tribe with federally recognized 
fishing rights from the area of the Council's jurisdiction. In 
addition, regulations implementing the FMP establish a procedure by 
which the tribes with treaty fishing rights in the area covered by the 
FMP request new allocation or regulations specific to the tribes, in 
writing, before the first of the two autumn groundfish meetings of the 
Council. The regulation at 50 CFR 660.324(d) further states ``the 
Secretary will develop tribal allocations and regulations under this 
paragraph in consultation with the affected tribe(s) and, insofar as 
possible, with tribal consensus.'' The tribal management measures in 
this final rule have been developed following these procedures. The 
tribal representative on the Council made a motion to adopt the tribal 
management measures, which was passed by the Council, and those 
management measures, which were developed and proposed by the tribes, 
are included in this emergency rule.
    NMFS issued Biological Opinions (BOs) under the Endangered Species 
Act on August 10, 1990, November 26, 1991, August 28, 1992, September 
27, 1993, May 14, 1996, and December 15, 1999, pertaining to the 
effects of the groundfish fishery on chinook salmon (Puget Sound, Snake 
River spring/summer, Snake River fall, upper Columbia River spring, 
lower Columbia River, upper Willamette River, Sacramento River winter, 
Central Valley, California coastal), coho salmon (Central California 
coastal, southern Oregon/northern California coastal, Oregon coastal), 
chum salmon (Hood Canal, Columbia River), sockeye salmon (Snake River, 
Ozette Lake), and steelhead (upper, middle and lower Columbia River, 
Snake River Basin, upper Willamette River, central California coast, 
California Central Valley, south-central California, northern 
California, and southern California).
    During the 2000 Pacific whiting season, the whiting fisheries 
exceeded the chinook bycatch amount specified in the Pacific whiting 
fishery's

[[Page 934]]

Biological Opinion's (whiting BO) (December 19, 1999) incidental catch 
statement estimate of 11,000 fish, by approximately 500 fish. In the 
2001 whiting season, however, the whiting fishery's chinook bycatch was 
about 7,000 fish, which approximates the long-term average. After 
reviewing data from, and management of, the 2000 and 2001 whiting 
fisheries (including industry bycatch minimization measures), the 
status of the affected listed chinook, environmental baseline 
information, and the incidental catch statement from the 1999 whiting 
BO, NMFS determined in a letter dated April 25, 2002, that a re-
initiation of the 1999 whiting BO was not required. NMFS has concluded 
that implementation of the FMP for the Pacific Coast groundfish fishery 
is not expected to jeopardize the continued existence of any endangered 
or threatened species under the jurisdiction of NMFS, or result in the 
destruction or adverse modification of critical habitat. This action is 
within the scope of these consultations.
    Because prior notice and opportunity for public comment are not 
required for this emergency rule by 5 U.S.C. 553, or any other law, the 
analytical requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601 
et seq., are inapplicable. However, as described above, the January-
February 2003 management measures are based on the overall analysis 
underlying the 2003 specifications and March-December 2003 management 
measures which are proposed in the Proposed Rules section of this issue 
of the Federal Register. The Council's Initial Regulatory Flexibility 
analysis prepared for the 2003 specifications and management measures 
considers the effects of the January and February management measures 
on the fisheries.

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 660

    Administrative practice and procedure, American Samoa, Fisheries, 
Fishing, Guam, Hawaiian Natives, Indians, Northern Mariana Islands, 
Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

    Dated: December 20, 2002.
Rebecca Lent,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.

    For the reasons set out in the preamble, 50 CFR part 660 is amended 
as follows:

PART 660--FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES AND IN THE WESTERN 
PACIFIC

    l. The authority citation for part 660 continues to read as 
follows:

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

    2. In Sec.  660.302, the definition for ``Open access fishery'' is 
suspended and a definition for ``Open access fishery (for the period 
January 1, 2003 to February 28, 2003)'' is temporarily added to read as 
follows:


Sec.  660.302  Definitions.

* * * * *
    Open access fishery (for the period January 1, 2003 to February 28, 
2003) means the fishery composed of vessels using open access gear 
fished pursuant to the harvest guidelines, quotas, and other management 
measures governing the open access fishery. Any commercial fishing 
vessels that does not have a limited entry permit and which lands 
groundfish in any commercial fishery is a participant in the open 
access fishery.
* * * * *

    3. In Sec.  660.304, paragraphs (a) through (f) are suspended and 
paragraphs (g) through (j) are temparily added to read as follows:


Sec.  660.304  Management areas.

* * * * *
    (g) Management areas--(1) Vancouver. (i) The northeastern boundary 
is that part of a line connecting the light on Tatoosh Island, WA, with 
the light on Bonilla Point on Vancouver Island, British Columbia (at 48 
deg.35'75'' N. lat., 124 deg.43'00'' W. long.) south of the 
International Boundary between the U.S. and Canada (at 48 
deg.29'37.19'' N. lat., 124 deg.43'33.19'' W. long.), and north of the 
point where that line intersects with the boundary of the U.S. 
territorial sea.
    (ii) The northern and northwestern boundary is a line connecting 
the following coordinates in the order listed, which is the provisional 
international boundary of the EEZ as shown on NOAA/NOS Charts 
[numsign]18480 and [numsign]18007:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                             Point                                      N. lat.                  W. long.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.............................................................        48 deg.29'37.19''       124 deg.43'33.19''
2.............................................................           48 deg.30'11''          124 deg.47'13''
3.............................................................           48 deg.30'22''          124 deg.50'21''
4.............................................................           48 deg.30'14''          124 deg.54'52''
5.............................................................           48 deg.29'57''          124 deg.59'14''
6.............................................................           48 deg.29'44''          125 deg.00'06''
7.............................................................           48 deg.28'09''          125 deg.05'47''
8.............................................................           48 deg.27'10''          125 deg.08'25''
9.............................................................           48 deg.26'47''          125 deg.09'12''
10............................................................           48 deg.20'16''          125 deg.22'48''
11............................................................           48 deg.18'22''          125 deg.29'58''
12............................................................           48 deg.11'05''          125 deg.53'48''
13............................................................           47 deg.49'15''          126 deg.40'57''
14............................................................           47 deg.36'47''          127 deg.41'23''
15............................................................           47 deg.22'00''          127 deg.41'23''
16............................................................           46 deg.42'05''          128 deg.51'56''
17............................................................           46 deg.31'47''          129 deg.07'39''
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (iii) The southern limit is 47 deg.30' N. lat.
    (2) Columbia. (i) The northern limit is 47 deg.30' N. lat.
    (ii) The southern limit is 43 deg.00' N. lat.
    (3) Eureka. (i) The northern limit is 43 deg.00' N. lat.
    (ii) The southern limit is 40 deg.30' N. lat.
    (4) Monterey. (i) The northern limit is 40 deg.30' N. lat.
    (ii) The southern limit is 36 deg.00' N. lat.
    (5) Conception. (i) The northern limit is 36 deg.00' N. lat.
    (ii) The southern limit is the U.S.-Mexico International Boundary, 
which

[[Page 935]]

is a line connecting the following coordinates in the order listed:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                             Point                                      N. lat.                  W. long.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.............................................................           32 deg.35'22''          117 deg.27'49''
2.............................................................           32 deg.37'37''          117 deg.49'31''
3.............................................................           31 deg.07'58''          118 deg.36'18''
4.............................................................           30 deg.32'31''          121 deg.51'58''
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (h) Commonly used geographic coordinates--
    (1) Cape Falcon, OR--45[deg]46' N. lat.
    (2) Cape Lookout, OR--45[deg]20'15'' N. lat.
    (3) Cape Blanco, OR--42[deg]50' N. lat.
    (4) Cape Mendocino, CA--40[deg]30' N. lat.
    (5) North/South management line--40[deg]10' N. lat.
    (6) Point Arena, CA--38[deg]57'30'' N. lat.
    (7) Point Conception, CA--34[deg]27' N. lat.
    (i) Cowcod Conservation Areas (CCAs). (1) The Western CCA is an 
area south of Point Conception that is bound by straight lines 
connecting all of the following points in the order listed:
    33[deg]50' N. lat., 119[deg]30' W. long.;
    33[deg]50' N. lat., 118[deg]50' W. long.;
    32[deg]20' N. lat., 118[deg]50' W. long.;
    32[deg]20' N. lat., 119[deg]37' W. long.;
    33[deg]00' N. lat., 119[deg]37' W. long.;
    33[deg]00' N. lat., 119[deg]53' W. long.;
    33[deg]33' N. lat., 119[deg]53' W. long.;
    33[deg]33' N. lat., 119[deg]30' W. long.;
    and connecting back to 33[deg]50' N. lat., 119[deg]30' W. long.
    (2) The Eastern CCA is a smaller area west of San Diego that is 
bound by straight lines connecting all of the following points in the 
order listed:
    32[deg]42' N. lat., 118[deg]02' W. long.;
    32[deg]42' N. lat., 117[deg]50' W. long.;
    32[deg]36'42'' N. lat., 117[deg]50' W. long.;
    32[deg]30' N. lat., 117[deg]53'30'' W. long.;
    32[deg]30' N. lat., 118[deg]02' W. long.;
    and connecting back to 32[deg]42' N. lat., 118[deg]02' W. long.
    (j) International boundaries. (1) Any person fishing subject to 
this subpart is bound by the international boundaries described in this 
section, notwithstanding any dispute or negotiation between the United 
States and any neighboring country regarding their respective 
jurisdictions, until such time as new boundaries are established or 
recognized by the United States.
    (2) The inner boundary of the fishery management area is a line 
coterminous with the seaward boundaries of the States of Washington, 
Oregon, and California (the ``3-mile limit'').
    (3) The outer boundary of the fishery management area is a line 
drawn in such a manner that each point on it is 200 nm from the 
baseline from which the territorial sea is measured, or is a 
provisional or permanent international boundary between the United 
States and Canada or Mexico.
* * * * *

    4. In Sec.  660.322, paragraph (b)(5) is suspended and paragraphs 
(b)(6) and (b)(7) are temporarily added to read as follows:


Sec.  660.322  Gear restrictions.

* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (6) Large and small footrope trawl gear. Large footrope trawl gear 
is bottom trawl gear, as specified at Sec.  660.302, with a footrope 
diameter larger than 8 inches (20 cm) (including rollers, bobbins or 
other material encircling or tied along the length of the footrope). 
Small footrope trawl gear is bottom trawl gear, as specified at Sec.  
660.302 and 660.322(b), with a footrope diameter 8 inches (20 cm) or 
smaller (including rollers, bobbins or other material encircling or 
tied along the length of the footrope). Chafing gear may be used only 
on the last 50 meshes of a small footrope trawl, measured from the 
terminal (closed) end of the codend. Other lines or ropes that run 
parallel to the footrope may not be augmented or modified to violate 
footrope size restrictions. For enforcement purposes, the footrope will 
be measured in a straight line from the outside edge to the opposite 
outside edge at the widest part on any individual part, including any 
individual disk, roller, bobbin, or any other device.
    (7) Pelagic or ``midwater'' trawls. Pelagic trawl nets must have 
unprotected footropes at the trawl mouth, and must not have rollers, 
bobbins, tires, wheels, rubber discs, or any similar device anywhere in 
the net. The footrope of pelagic gear may not be enlarged by encircling 
it with chains or by any other means. Ropes or lines running parallel 
to the footrope of pelagic trawl gear must be bare and may not be 
suspended with chains or any other materials. Sweeplines, including the 
bottom leg of the bridle, must be bare. For at least 20 ft (6.15 m) 
immediately behind the footrope or headrope, bare ropes or mesh of 16-
inch (40.6-cm) minimum mesh size must completely encircle the net. A 
band of mesh (a ``skirt'') may encircle the net under transfer cables, 
lifting or splitting straps (chokers), but must be: Over riblines and 
restraining straps; the same mesh size and coincide knot-to-knot with 
the net to which it is attached; and no wider than 16 meshes.
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 02-32755 Filed 12-31-02; 1:23 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S