[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 228 (Wednesday, November 26, 2003)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 66352-66371]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-29584]



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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 660

[Docket No. 021209300-3048-02; I.D. 111903C]


Fisheries off West Coast States and in the Western Pacific; 
Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery; Annual Specifications and Management 
Measures; Trip Limit Adjustments; Corrections

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

ACTION: Inseason adjustments to trip limits and rockfish conservation 
areas; partial closures of recreational fisheries; corrections; request 
for comments.

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SUMMARY: NMFS announces changes to commercial fisheries trip limits and 
rockfish conservation areas (RCAs), as well as recreational fisheries 
closures and prohibitions for the Pacific Coast groundfish fishery. 
Trip limit adjustments include changes to the limited entry trawl Dover 
sole, thornyhead, and sablefish (DTS) limits north of 40[deg]10' N. 
lat. This action also expands the commercial trawl and non-trawl RCAs 
as well as the areas closed to recreational fishing to provide more 
protection for overfished continental shelf species, particularly 
canary rockfish and lingcod. These changes will be effective for the 
trawl ``A'' platoon, as well as the trawl ``B'' platoon, on November 
21, 2003. These actions, which are authorized by the Pacific Coast 
Groundfish Fishery Management Plan (FMP), will allow fisheries access 
to more abundant groundfish stocks while protecting overfished and 
depleted stocks.

DATES: Changes to management measures are effective November 21, 2003, 
until the 2004 annual specifications and management measures are 
effective, unless modified, superseded, or rescinded through a 
publication in the Federal Register. Comments on this rule will be 
accepted through December 26, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments to D. Robert Lohn, Administrator, Northwest 
Region, NMFS, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115-0070; or Rod 
McInnis, Acting Administrator, Southwest Region, NMFS, 501 West Ocean 
Blvd, Suite 4200, Long Beach, CA 90802-4213.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carrie Nordeen or Jamie Goen 
(Northwest Region, NMFS), phone: 206-526-6140; fax: 206-526-6736; and 
e-mail: [email protected] or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

Electronic Access

    This Federal Register document is available on the Government 
Printing Office's Web site at: http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/ca/docs/aces/aces140.html. Background information and documents are 
available at the NMFS Northwest Region Web site at: http://www.nwr.noaa.gov/1sustfsh/gdfsh01.htm and at the Pacific Fishery 
Management Council's Web site at: http://www.pcouncil.org.

Background

    The Pacific Coast Groundfish FMP and its implementing regulations 
at 50 CFR part 660, subpart G, regulate fishing for over 80 species of 
groundfish off the coasts of Washington, Oregon, and California. Annual 
groundfish specifications and management measures are initially 
developed by the Pacific Fishery Management Council (Pacific Council), 
and are implemented by NMFS. The groundfish specifications include 
acceptable biological catches (ABCs) and optimum yields (OYs) for 
groundfish species and species groups. The OYs are the annual harvest 
targets and management measures are implemented at the start of the 
season, and adjusted inseason, to allow the fishery to achieve, but not 
exceed, the OYs for groundfish. The ABCs are the maximum total 
mortality levels for species or species groups under sustainable 
management. Should catch levels approach the ABC, total mortality of 
that species or species group will be minimized in order to prevent 
exceeding the ABC and overfishing that species or species group. The 
specifications and management measures for the 2003 fishing year 
(January 1-December 31, 2003) were initially published in the Federal 
Register as an emergency rule for January 1-February 28, 2003 (68 FR 
908, January 7, 2003) and as a proposed rule for March 1-December 31, 
2003 (68 FR 936, January 7, 2003). The emergency rule was amended at 68 
FR 4719, January 30, 2003, and the final rule for March 1-December 31, 
2003 was published in the Federal Register on March 7, 2003 (68 FR 
11182). The final rule has been subsequently amended at 68 FR 18166 
(April 15, 2003), at 68 FR 23901 (May 6, 2003), at 68 FR 23924 (May 6, 
2003), at 68 FR 32680 (June 2, 2003), at 68 FR 35575 (June 16, 2003), 
at 68 FR 40187 (July 7, 2003), at 68 FR 43473 (July 23, 2003), at 68 FR 
52703 (September 5, 2003), and at 68 FR 60865 (October 24, 2003).
    The following changes to current groundfish management measures 
were recommended by the Pacific Council, in consultation with Pacific 
Coast Treaty Tribes and the States of Washington, Oregon, and 
California, at its November 3-7, 2003, meeting in Del Mar, CA.
    At the Pacific Council's November 3-7, 2003, meeting, the most 
recent commercial and recreational catch data were reviewed by the 
Pacific Council's Groundfish Management Team (GMT) in preparation for 
recommending inseason adjustments to the Pacific Council. These data 
included: Commercial landed catch data through the middle of October 
available in the Pacific Fishery Information Network (PacFIN); 
estimated discard in the commercial groundfish fisheries; recreational 
catch estimates through the end of August available in the Recreational 
Fishery Information Network (RecFIN); as well as estimated recreational 
catch through the end of October and projected recreational catch 
through the end of the year compiled by state agency personnel and GMT 
members. When the GMT reviewed these data, it became apparent that the 
RecFIN catch estimates for California, specifically nearshore rockfish, 
canary rockfish, and lingcod, during the months of July and August were 
significantly higher than the GMT had initially predicted for those 
months. RecFIN catch estimates for the State of California during July 
and August are as follows: shallow nearshore rockfish 88.2 mt (88,200 
kg), deeper nearshore rockfish 748 mt (748,000 kg), lingcod 509 mt 
(509,000 kg), and canary rockfish 14 mt (14,000 kg).
    While catch rate and the weight of individual fish were above 
average during this period, the principle factor contributing to the 
significantly higher than predicted RecFIN catch estimates is the 
exceptionally high estimates of effort (angler days) for the private 
and rental boat participants in northern California (north of 
34[deg]27' N. lat.). This higher than expected influx of effort is 
estimated to have occurred during the first two months (July and 
August) of the fishery. It may be due, in part, to a NMFS and State of 
California prohibition on fishing between 40[deg]10' N. lat. and the 
U.S./Mexico border for the first six months of 2003.
    Combining RecFin catch estimates from California with catch 
estimates from other recreational and commercial fisheries coastwide 
produces total mortality estimates that exceed harvest targets for 
groundfish species and/or

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species groups. Specifically, the total mortality estimate for canary 
rockfish, an overfished species, through October is 52 mt (52,000 kg), 
as compared to its 2003 OY of 44 mt (44,000 kg) and ABC of 272 mt 
(272,000 kg); and the total mortality estimate for lingcod, another 
overfished species, through October is 956.4 mt (956,400 kg), as 
compared to its 2003 OY of 651 mt (651,000 kg) and ABC of 841 mt 
(841,000 kg). Additionally, the California state harvest guidelines for 
shallow nearshore rockfish (105 mt (105,000 kg)) and deeper nearshore 
rockfish (54 mt (54,000 kg)) are also predicted to be exceeded by the 
end of October.
    Because of the magnitude of RecFIN catch estimates for the 
California recreational groundfish fisheries during July and August and 
its implications for other Pacific Coast groundfish fisheries for the 
remainder of the year, the California Department of Fish and Game 
(CDFG) staff thought these catch estimates warranted evaluation. 
Therefore, CDFG staff explored these data by stratifying RecFIN catch 
estimates by area (Area One is between 42[deg]00' N. lat. (Oregon/
California border) and 40[deg]10' N. lat. and Area Two is between 
40[deg]10' N. lat. and the 34[deg]27' N. lat.) as well as applying a 
historical effort estimate to replace the exceptionally high RecFIN 
effort estimate for July and August 2003. The historical estimate used 
was the next highest effort estimate from the July and August period 
which occurred during 1985. When RecFIN catch estimates were stratified 
by applying the effort and catch per unit effort (CPUE) for the two 
areas, the total mortality estimates for canary rockfish (48.3 mt 
(48,300 kg)) and lingcod (928.2 mt (928,200 kg)) were slightly lower 
than those estimated by unadjusted RecFIN data. When the unusually high 
RecFIN effort estimate for July and August was treated as an anomaly 
and replaced with the historical estimate described above, the 
estimated total mortality for canary rockfish was similar to the 
stratified estimate (47.8 mt (47,800 kg)). However, this technique of 
adjusting the RecFIN effort estimate reduced the total mortality 
estimate for lingcod to 821.2 mt (821,200 kg), a harvest level that 
still exceeds the lingcod OY but is about 20 mt (20,000 kg) below the 
lingcod ABC.
    The Pacific Council reviewed RecFIN catch estimates, data presented 
by CDFG, statements on inseason adjustments prepared by the GMT and 
Groundfish Advisory Panel (GAP), as well as public testimony before 
recommending inseason adjustments to groundfish management measures for 
the remainder of 2003. In order to keep the harvest of canary rockfish 
and lingcod within levels that allow continued rebuilding, as well as 
minimizing the mortality of California nearshore rockfish species, the 
Pacific Council was faced with the need to recommend drastic inseason 
adjustments. In an effort to continue sustainable groundfish management 
while recognizing the economic importance of allowing fishery access to 
more abundant groundfish stocks, the Pacific Council recommended a 
series of inseason adjustments to groundfish management measures that 
would provide some fishery opportunities with minimal mortality of 
canary rockfish and lingcod.

Trawl Rockfish Conservation Area (RCA) Coastwide

    In order to provide some year-end fishing opportunity for the trawl 
fleet while protecting canary rockfish and lingcod, the trawl RCA (the 
area closed to fishing for groundfish with trawl gear) is expanded in 
size for the remainder of the year to extend from the shoreline to 
specific latitude and longitude coordinates that approximate the 200-fm 
(366-m) depth contour and are modified to allow fishing for petrale 
sole. This increase in the size of the trawl RCA results in a change 
from the previously scheduled eastern trawl RCA boundary. That 
previously scheduled eastern trawl RCA boundary consisted of specific 
latitude and longitude coordinates approximating the 50-fm (91-m) depth 
contour between the U.S./Canada border and 40[deg]10' N. lat., 
coordinates approximating the 60-fm (110-m) depth contour between 
40[deg]10' N. lat. and 34[deg]27' N. lat., and coordinates 
approximating the 100-fm (183-m) depth contour between 34[deg]27' N. 
lat. and the U.S./Mexico border. Expanding this closed area is intended 
to protect canary rockfish and lingcod by prohibiting trawling over the 
continental shelf, where canary rockfish and lingcod are found.
    Year-end fishery access to deepwater, slope species, specifically 
petrale sole, is economically important to the limited entry trawl 
groundfish fleet. According to PacFIN, the coastwide exvessel price for 
petrale sole is currently averaging about one dollar per pound and last 
year's exvessel revenue generated by petrale sole landed with trawl 
gear was over three and a half million dollars. During winter months 
(November--February), petrale sole aggregate in certain areas along the 
coast to spawn. Within these ``petrale sole areas'', petrale sole can 
be harvested with a lower bycatch rate than in other areas. Because 
canary rockfish are typically found at depths shallower than 150-fm 
(274-m), allowing the petrale sole fishery to continue as previously 
scheduled is not predicted to result in additional mortality of canary 
rockfish. Using NMFS West Coast Groundfish Observer data, the effects 
of allowing the slope/petrale sole fishery to continue as previously 
scheduled is predicted to result in about 1 mt (1,000 kg) of additional 
lingcod take by the end of 2003.
    In the inseason adjustment to Pacific Coast annual specifications 
and management measures for October--December (68 FR 60865, October 24, 
2003), NMFS announced a western trawl RCA boundary with specific 
latitude and longitude coordinates approximating the 200-fm (366-m) 
depth contour which was modified to allow for petrale sole fishing. 
That boundary contained several errors, specifically it omitted 
boundary modifications to allow for fishing in the petrale sole areas 
off the states of Oregon and California. Therefore, this inseason 
action corrects that 200-fm (366-m) trawl RCA boundary by modifying it 
to allow for petrale fishing in areas where petrale sole aggregate.

Non-Trawl Rockfish Conservation Area (RCA) Coastwide

    In 2003, the Pacific Coast non-trawl fleet has been severely 
constrained by low trip limits as well as limited nearshore fishing 
opportunities. Throughout the year, the non-trawl RCA (the area closed 
to fishing for groundfish with non-trawl gear) has extended from an 
eastern boundary ranging between the shoreline and specific latitude 
and longitude coordinates approximating the 30-fm (55-m) depth contour 
out to a western boundary ranging between specific latitude and 
longitude coordinates approximating the 100-fm (183-m) and 150-fm (274-
m) depth contours. These management measures were designed to limit the 
incidental take of overfished groundfish species.
    Much like inseason adjustments to the trawl RCA, the non-trawl RCA 
is similarly expanded to prevent further mortality of canary rockfish, 
lingcod, and California's nearshore rockfish species. In an effort to 
protect these species while still allowing access to more abundant 
deepwater groundfish stocks, the non-trawl RCA is expanded for the 
remainder of the year to extend from the shoreline to specific latitude 
and longitude coordinates that approximate the 200-fm (366-m) depth 
contour, modified to allow fishing for petrale sole, between the U.S./
Canada border and 46[deg]16' N. lat. and from the shoreline to specific 
latitude and

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longitude coordinates that approximate the 150-fm (274-m) depth contour 
between 46[deg]16' N. lat. and the U.S./Mexico border. This increase in 
the size of the non-trawl RCA results in a change from the previously 
scheduled non-trawl RCA. The previously scheduled non-trawl RCA 
boundary extended from the shoreline to specific latitude and longitude 
coordinates approximating the 100-fm (183-m) depth contour between the 
U.S./Canada border and 46[deg]16' N. lat., from specific latitude and 
longitude coordinates approximating the 27-fm (49-m) to the 100-fm 
(183-m) depth contours between the 46[deg]16' N. lat. and 40[deg]10' N. 
lat., from specific latitude and longitude coordinates approximating 
the 20-fm (37-m) to the 150-fm (274-m) depth contours between 
40[deg]10' N. lat. and 34[deg]27' N. lat., and from the 30-fm (55-m) to 
the 150-fm (274-m) depth contours between 34[deg]27' N. lat. and the 
U.S./Mexico border.
    The GMT predicted that allowing fishing to continue seaward of the 
expanded non-trawl RCA for the remainder of the year would result in no 
additional mortality of canary rockfish or California nearshore 
rockfish species and only minimal additional mortality of lingcod. No 
additional mortality of canary rockfish or the California nearshore 
rockfish species is predicted because these species are typically found 
at depths shallower than 150-fm (274-m). The GMT predicted that 
additional mortality of lingcod from the remaining non-trawl fishery 
would be minimal. According to NMFS shelf and slope survey data from 
the summers of 1984 to the present, 1 percent of lingcod catches 
occurred at depths greater than 150-fm (274-m) between the U.S./Canada 
border and 40[deg]10' N. lat. and 34 percent of lingcod catches 
occurred at depths greater than 150-fm (274-m) between 40[deg]10' N. 
lat. and the U.S./Mexico border. Because this adjustment to the non-
trawl RCA is occurring from November 21, 2003, through December 31, 
2003 the GMT has predicted that impacts on lingcod would be further 
reduced because lingcod typically move into shallower waters (less than 
100-fm (183-m)) to spawn during winter months.

Limited Entry DTS Trawl Limits North of 40[deg]10' N. lat

    Throughout 2003, differential trip limits, or trip limits that vary 
with gear type, have been in place for DTS (Dover sole, thornyheads, 
sablefish) species in the area between the U.S./Canada border and 
40[deg]10' N. lat. Specifically, vessels that use large footrope or 
midwater trawl gear are offered higher DTS trip limits than those 
vessels that use small footrope gear. Because RCA regulations specify 
that small footrope and midwater trawl gear are the only limited entry 
trawl gears permitted shoreward of the trawl RCA while all limited 
entry trawl gears (large and small footrope, midwater) are permitted 
seaward of the RCA, the intent of the differential trip limits is to 
encourage fishing seaward of the trawl RCA rather than shoreward of the 
trawl RCA.
    As discussed earlier, this inseason action is expanding the eastern 
boundary of the trawl RCA to the shoreline. Thus, there is no trawling 
opportunity shoreward of the trawl RCA from November 21, 2003, through 
December 31, 2003, and no need for differential trip limits. Therefore, 
the Pacific Council recommended that the differential DTS trip limits 
between the U.S./Canada border and 40[deg]10' N. lat. be removed for 
November and December. The previously scheduled DTS trip limits 
associated with the use of large footrope or midwater trawl gear (i.e., 
7,000 lb (3,175 kg) per 2 months of sablefish, 4,500 lb (2,041 kg) per 
2 months of longspine thornyhead, 900 lb (408 kg) per 2 months of 
shortspine thornyhead, and 30,000 lb (13,608 kg) per 2 months of Dover 
sole) will be available to vessels using all limited entry trawl gear 
types. This change is not expected to negatively affect continental 
shelf overfished species, because those waters are protected by the 
trawl RCA. Additionally, because this change does not increase overall 
limits for deepwater species, NMFS does not expect this action to 
increase the impact of the fishery on continental slope overfished 
species.

Recreational Groundfish Fisheries Coastwide

    Much like the Pacific Coast commercial fisheries, the Pacific Coast 
recreational fisheries have been restricted in recent years to rebuild 
overfished groundfish species. Management measures intended to reduce 
the incidental take of overfished species in recreational fisheries 
include such things as decreased bag limits, reduced season length, and 
closed areas. An example of these restrictive management measures was 
evident this year in the California recreational fishery that occurs 
between 40[deg]10' N. lat. and the U.S./Mexico border. Historically, 
this recreational fishery has had year-round fishing opportunities. In 
an effort to keep this fishery's harvest levels within 2003 OYs for 
overfished species and within California harvest guidelines for target 
species, the season length for this fishery was reduced to six months 
and scheduled to extend from July through December. Despite this 
restricted season length, RecFIN catch estimates for California, 
specifically nearshore rockfish, canary rockfish, and lingcod, during 
the months of July and August were significantly higher than predicted. 
As discussed previously, combining RecFIN catch estimates from 
California with catch estimates from other recreational and commercial 
fisheries coastwide produces total mortality estimates which exceed 
harvest targets for some groundfish species and/or species groups. 
Therefore, the Pacific Council recommended inseason adjustments to 
recreational groundfish fisheries coastwide. From November 21, 2003, 
through December 31, 2003, recreational groundfish fisheries off the 
State of Washington will be prohibited seaward of the Federal/State 
three mile boundary. Effective November 13, 2003, the state of 
Washington took action to prohibit the retention of canary rockfish 
shoreward of the three mile boundary. Because inclement weather 
curtails recreational groundfish fisheries off Washington during winter 
months, the additional mortality of either canary rockfish or lingcod 
associated with this fishery occurring in State waters is predicted to 
be near zero. Additionally, recreational fishing for lingcod off 
Washington closed on October 16, 2003. Off the State of Oregon, 
recreational groundfish fisheries from November 21, 2003, through 
December 31, 2003, will be prohibited seaward of specific latitude and 
longitude coordinates approximating the 27-fm (49-m) depth contour and 
shoreward of the 27-fm (49-m) depth contour retention of canary 
rockfish and lingcod will be prohibited. Similarly to Washington, 
effort in Oregon's recreational groundfish fisheries during November 
and December is low. Because of this low effort, Oregon Department of 
Fish and Wildlife has predicted that the additional mortality 
associated with this fishery would be approximately 0.11 mt (110 kg) of 
canary rockfish and 0.09 mt (90 kg) of lingcod. Off the state of 
California, all recreational groundfish fisheries, with the exception 
of the fixed gear sanddab fishery, will be prohibited from November 21, 
2003, through December 31, 2003. Because of the small hooks used in 
this recreational sanddab fishery, California Department of Fish and 
Game has predicted that the additional mortality of canary rockfish, 
lingcod, and California nearshore rockfish species would be near zero.

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NMFS Actions

0
For the reasons stated herein, NMFS concurs with the Pacific Council's 
recommendations and hereby announces the following changes to the 2003 
specifications and management measures (68 FR 11182, March 7, 2003, as 
amended at 68 FR 18166, April 15, 2003, at 68 FR 23901, May 6, 2003, at 
68 FR 23925, May 6, 2003, at 68 FR 32680, June 2, 2003, at 68 FR 35575, 
June 16, 2003, at 68 FR 40187, July 7, 2003, at 68 FR 43473, July 23, 
2003, at 68 FR 52703, September 5, 2003, and at 68 FR 60865, October 
24, 2003) to read as follows:
0
1. On pages 11218-11221, in section IV., under B. Limited Entry 
Fishery, at the end of paragraph (1), Table 3 (North), Table 3 (South), 
Table 4 (North), and Table 4 (South) are revised to read as follows:

IV. NMFS Actions

B. Limited Entry Fishery

    (1) * * *
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

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0
2. On pages 11224 and 11225, in section IV., under C. Trip Limits in 
the Open Access Fishery, at the end of paragraph (1), Table 5 (North) 
and Table 5 (South) are revised to read as follows:

IV. NMFS Actions

C. Trip Limits in the Open Access Fishery

    (1) * * *

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* * * * *

0
3. On page 11226, in section IV., under D. Recreational Fishery, in 
column 2, paragraph (1)(a) is renumbered as paragraph (1)(a)(i), a new 
paragraph (1)(a) and paragraph (1)(a)(ii) are added, and 
paragraph(1)(b) is revised to read as follows:
* * * * *
    (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 as 
specified below). The following sublimits and closed areas apply:
    (a) Closed Areas.--
    (i) Yelloweye Rockfish Conservation Area. The Yelloweye Rockfish 
Conservation Area, or YRCA, is a ``C-shaped'' area which is closed to 
recreational groundfish and halibut fishing. The YRCA is defined by 
latitude and longitude coordinates specified at 50 CFR 660.304(d).
    (ii) Federal waters (3-200 nautical miles). Recreational groundfish 
fishing is prohibited in Federal waters, from 3 to 200 nautical miles 
offshore from November 21, 2003, through December 31, 2003.
    (b) Rockfish. In areas seaward of Washington that are open to 
recreational groundfish fishing, there is a 10 rockfish per day bag 
limit. Taking and retaining yelloweye rockfish and canary rockfish is 
prohibited.
* * * * *

0
4. On page 11226, in section IV., under D. Recreational Fishery, in 
column 2, paragraph (2) is revised to read as follows:
* * * * *
    (2) Oregon. The bag limits for each person engaged in recreational 
fishing seaward of Oregon is 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 yelloweye rockfish 
and taking and retaining canary rockfish and lingcod is prohibited. 
From November 21, 2003, through December 31, 2003, recreational 
groundfish fishing is prohibited seaward of specific latitude and 
longitude coordinates approximating the 27-fm (49-m) depth contour off 
Oregon. Coordinates for specific latitude and longitude coordinates 
approximating the 27-fm (49-m) depth contour are listed in section 
IV.A.(19)(e)(i). 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 and retain, possess or land yelloweye 
rockfish or canary rockfish.
* * * * *

0
5. On pages 11226 and 11227, in section IV., under D. Recreational 
Fishery, paragraphs (3)(a), (3)(a)(i), (3)(a)(ii), (3)(b)(ii) through 
(iv) are revised to read as follows:
* * * * *
    (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. Retention of all federally managed groundfish species, 
except sanddabs, is prohibited in the recreational fishery seaward of 
California November 21, 2003, through December 31, 2003.
    (a) North of 40[deg]10' N. lat. In times and areas when the 
recreational fishery is open and 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 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.'' Recreational 
fishing for the RCG Complex is prohibited.
    (ii) Lingcod. Recreational fishing for lingcod is prohibited.
* * * * *
    (b) South of 40[deg]10' N. lat. In times and areas when the 
recreational fishery is open and 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:
    (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.'' Recreational 
fishing for the RCG Complex is prohibited.
    (iii) California scorpionfish. California scorpionfish only occur 
south of 40[deg]10' N. lat. Recreational fishing for the California 
scorpionfish is prohibited.
    (iv) Lingcod. Recreational fishing for lingcod is prohibited.
* * * * *
    Additionally, there is a correction to the western trawl RCA 
boundary with specific latitude and longitude coordinates approximating 
the 200-fm (366-m) depth contour (modified to allow fishing for petrale 
sole) that was announced in an inseason action on October 24, 2003 (68 
FR 60865).
    1. On pages 60867-60870, in section IV., under A. General 
Definitions, paragraph (19)(e)(xviii) is revised to read as follows:
    (xviii) * * *
* * * * *
    (72) 46[deg]15.99' N. lat., 124[deg]24.88' W. long.;
    (73) 46[deg]14.22' N. lat., 124[deg]26.28' W. long.;
    (74) 46[deg]11.53' N. lat., 124[deg]39.58' W. long.;
    (75) 46[deg]08.77' N. lat., 124[deg]41.71' W. long.;
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* * * * *

Classification

    These actions are authorized by the Pacific Coast groundfish FMP 
and its implementing regulations, and are based on the most recent data 
available. The aggregate data upon which these actions are based are 
available for public inspection at the Office of the Administrator, 
Northwest Region, NMFS, (see ADDRESSES) during business hours.
    The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries (AA), NMFS, 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 opportunity for comment would be 
impracticable. It would be impracticable because affording prior notice 
and opportunity for public comment would impede the Agency's function 
of managing fisheries to protect overfished groundfish species while 
allowing the harvest of more abundant groundfish species. Based on the 
best available science, it is predicted that harvest levels in the 
Pacific Coast groundfish fishery exceeded the ABC for lingcod and the 
OY for canary rockfish, both overfished groundfish species, during 
October. The inseason adjustments in this document primarily include 
increases to closed areas, or RCAs, and prohibitions in recreational 
groundfish fisheries to minimize the total mortality of canary rockfish 
and lingcod and allow for the continued rebuilding of those overfished 
stocks. These inseason adjustments must be implemented in a timely 
manner to reduce the magnitude of overfishing on lingcod and the amount 
by which the canary rockfish OY is exceeded. Additionally, this 
inseason action contains a correction to the western boundary of the 
trawl RCA and non-differential trip limits for DTS species. This 
correction to the trawl RCA and adjusted DTS trip limits allow fishers 
to access groundfish allocations without exceeding the OY for those 
species and with minimal effects on overfished or depleted stocks. 
Delaying these adjustments could prevent the industry from obtaining 
the intended economic benefits associated with these adjustments. The 
Pacific Coast commercial groundfish fishery is managed by trip limits 
and area closures, most of which are based on a 2-month cumulative 
period (January-February, March-April, May-June, July-August, 
September-October, November-December). Because the last 2-month 
cumulative period began on November 1, 2003, these actions should be 
implemented as soon as possible to protect overfished groundfish 
species and allow access to more abundant groundfish stocks. The 
affected public had the opportunity to comment on these actions at the 
November 3-7, 2003, Pacific Council meeting in Del Mar, CA. For these 
reasons, good cause also exists to waive the 30-day delay in 
effectiveness requirement of 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3).
    These actions are taken under the authority of 50 CFR 300.63(a)(3) 
and 660.323(b)(1), and are exempt from review under Executive Order 
12866.

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

    Dated: November 21, 2003.
Bruce C. Morehead,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 03-29584 Filed 11-21-03; 4:50 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P