[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 83 (Thursday, April 29, 2004)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 23440-23449]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-9649]



[[Page 23440]]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 660

[Docket No. 031216314-3314-01; I.D. 041904C]


Fisheries Off West Coast States and in the Western Pacific; 
Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery; Annual Specifications and Management 
Measures; Inseason Adjustments; Corrections

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

ACTION: Inseason adjustments to management measures; corrections; 
request for comments.

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SUMMARY: NMFS announces changes to the recreational fishery, and to the 
commercial fishery's trawl rockfish conservation areas (RCAs) for the 
Pacific Coast groundfish fishery. These actions, which are authorized 
by the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan (FMP), will 
allow fisheries to access more abundant groundfish stocks while 
protecting overfished and depleted stocks. This action also contains 
corrections and revisions to the 2004 management measures.

DATES: Effective 0001 hours (local time) April 29, 2004, until the 
2005-06 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unless modified, superseded, or rescinded through a publication in the 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 June 
1, 2004.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by [031216314-01 and/or 
0648-AR54], by any of the following methods:
    [bul] E-mail: GroundfishInseason[numsign][email protected]: identified 
by [031216314-01 and/or 0648-AR54] in the subject line of the message.
    [bul]Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow 
the instructions for submitting comments.
    [bul] Fax: 206-526-6736
    [bul] Mail: 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: Jamie Goen (Northwest Region, NMFS), 
phone: 206-526-6150; fax: 206-526-6736; and e-mail: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Electronic Access

    This Federal Register document is available on the Government 
Printing Office's website at: www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/index.html.
    Background information and documents are available at the NMFS 
Northwest Region website at: www.nwr.noaa.gov/1sustfsh/gdfsh01.htm and 
at the Pacific Fishery Management Council's website at: 
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. 
Groundfish specifications and management measures are developed by the 
Pacific Fishery Management Council (Pacific Council), and are 
implemented by NMFS. The specifications and management measures for the 
2004 fishing year (January 1-December 31, 2004) were initially 
published in the Federal Register as an emergency rule for January 1-
February 29, 2004 (69 FR 1322, January 8, 2004) and as a proposed rule 
for March 1-December 31, 2004 (69 FR 1380, January 8, 2004). The 
emergency rule was amended at 69 FR 4084, January 28, 2004, and the 
final rule for March 1-December 31, 2004 was published in the Federal 
Register on March 9, 2004 (69 FR 11064).
    The following changes to current groundfish management measures 
were recommended by the Pacific Council, in consultation with Pacific 
Coast Treaty Indian Tribes and the states of Washington, Oregon, and 
California, at its March 8-12, 2004, meeting in Tacoma, WA. Pacific 
Coast groundfish landings will be monitored throughout the year, and 
further adjustments to trip limits or management measures will be made 
as necessary to allow achievement of, or to avoid exceeding the 2004 
optimum yields (OYs).

California's Recreational Fishery for the California Rockfish, Cabezon, 
Greenling Complex (RCG Complex)

    California's recreational harvest exceeded California's 
recreational set asides for some species in 2003, including minor 
nearshore rockfish, bocaccio, canary rockfish, yelloweye rockfish, and 
lingcod. In order to reduce the recreational catch of rockfish in 2004, 
the California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG) proposed to their 
California Fish and Game Commission (California Commission) at their 
March 4-5, 2004 meeting to: (1) reduce the RCG Complex bag limit north 
of 40[deg]10' N. lat. to match the more restrictive RCG Complex bag 
limit south of 40[deg]10' N. lat., and (2) remove the shallow nearshore 
rockfish sub-bag limit within the RCG Complex bag limit south of 
40[deg]10' N. lat. The shallow nearshore sub-bag limit implemented in 
2003 did not function as anticipated and instead resulted in an 
increase in discard of nearshore rockfish, especially gopher rockfish. 
Removing this sub-bag limit is, therefore, projected to reduce rockfish 
mortality. The California Commission adopted these changes and CDFG 
recommended to the Pacific Council at their March 7-12, 2004, meeting 
that these changes also be made for Federal waters.
    Based on CDFG and the California Commission's request, the Pacific 
Council recommended, and NMFS is implementing, a reduction in the RCG 
Complex bag limit north of 40[deg]10' N. lat. from 10 rockfish per day, 
of which no more than 2 may be bocaccio, 10 cabezon per day, 10 kelp 
greenling and 10 rock greenling per day to 10 RCG Complex fish per day 
(not including canary rockfish, yelloweye rockfish and cowcod, which 
are prohibited), of which up to 10 may be rockfish (no more than 1 of 
which may be bocaccio), no more than two fish per day may be greenling 
(kelp and/or other greenlings) and no more than three fish per day may 
be cabezon. Also based on CDFG and the California Commission's request, 
the Pacific Council recommended and NMFS is implementing removal of the 
shallow nearshore rockfish 2 fish sub bag limit from the RCG Complex 
bag limits south of 40[deg]10' N. lat.

California's Recreational Fishery for Lingcod Closed Nov-Dec

    Based on a CDFG analysis presented at the Pacific Council's March 
meeting, the Pacific Council recommended that NMFS implement the 
following measures for California's recreational lingcod fishery: 
Increase the minimum size limit from 24 inches (61 cm) to 30 inches (77 
cm), decrease the bag limit from 2 fish to 1 fish, and prohibit 
retention of lingcod off California during November and December 2004.
    Prior to the March Pacific Council meeting, CDFG and NMFS jointly 
developed lingcod management measures that would keep the harvest of 
lingcod in the recreational fishery within CDFG's 2004 recreational 
catch projection of 346.8 mt. Because lingcod harvest exceeded the ABC 
in both 2002 and 2003, there was concern by NMFS

[[Page 23441]]

that the 2004 management measures, as proposed for 2004, would not keep 
harvest within the 2004 catch projection for California's recreational 
fishery. On February 18, 2004, CDFG sent NMFS a letter with a proposal 
and supporting analysis to increase the lingcod size limit from 24 
inches (61-cm) to 30 inches (77 cm) and to decrease the bag limit from 
2 fish to 1 fish per day beginning April 1, 2004. The CDFG analysis was 
based on the best available fisheries data at that time and showed that 
California's recreational lingcod take should stay within the 346.8 mt 
catch projection. Under a 30-inch (77-cm), 1 fish bag limit, the 
anticipated catch was expected to be 291 mt, leaving a 55.8 mt buffer. 
NMFS believed this buffer was reasonable, as it allowed up to a 13 
percent hooking mortality for discarded catch. A 1998 CDFG study (Albin 
& Karpov in ``Marine Fisheries Review'') estimated lingcod hooking 
mortality with rod-and-reel at 4.3 percent.
    At the March Pacific Council meeting, CDFG identified an error in 
the base catch data used in their projections for the February 18, 2004 
analysis submitted to NMFS. Previously the base catch data used an 
average for 2002 and 2003 Wave 6 (November-December) catch data from 
the Marine Recreational Fisheries Statistical Survey. However, Wave 6 
was closed entirely in 2002 and for part of 2003, thereby 
underestimating the average catch for 2002 and 2003 used for 2004 catch 
projections. At the March Council meeting, catch projections were 
revised using a proxy for the 2002 and 2003 Wave 6 data based on an 
average of Wave 1 (January-February) and Wave 5 (September-October) 
when the fishery was open. The base catch data used to recalculate the 
projections at the March Council meeting (Exhibit E.4.b, Supplemental 
CDFG Report) showed that a 30-inch (77-cm), 1 fish bag limit, while 
remaining within the original catch projection, provided less of a 
buffer (only 13 mt buffer). Therefore, CDFG proposed alternatives to 
keep the 2004 recreational lingcod take below the original catch 
projection and to increase the buffer. These alternatives included 
prohibiting the retention of lingcod during November through December, 
2004. With a closure added during November through December, the buffer 
increases to 59 mt with an estimated 2004 catch of 288 mt. (NOTE: CDFG 
presented the wrong table to the Pacific Council under Option 2 of 
Exhibit E.4.b, Supplemental CDFG Report. The numbers projected for the 
November through December closure are from a new table provided to NMFS 
in an email on March 30, 2004, showing the correct analysis results and 
incorporating a request from the Pacific Council to include a 5 percent 
assumed discard mortality rate (the rate preliminarily recommended by 
the Pacific Council's Groundfish Management Team (GMT) at the March 
meeting).
    NMFS had previously implemented the 30-inch minimum size limit (77-
cm), 21-inch (54-cm) minimum filet size limit (increased from 16-inches 
(41-cm)), and the 1-fish bag limit for lingcod in the final rule (69 FR 
11064, March 9, 2004). These management measures will become effective 
April 1, 2004. Based on the CDFG analysis, the Pacific Council 
recommended that NMFS also implement a November through December 
prohibition on the retention of lingcod through this action.

Trawl RCA Revised to Close Cordell Banks

    NMFS received a request from CDFG during the comment period on the 
groundfish specifications and management measures proposed rule (69 FR 
1380, January 8, 2004) to add a closure at Cordell Banks for both the 
commercial and recreational fisheries to reduce the take of overfished 
species. The Cordell Banks area has been identified in previous GMT 
meetings as an area with high catch of canary and other overfished 
species. The closure for the recreational fishery was implemented 
through the final rule (69 FR 11064, March 9, 2004). However, for the 
commercial fishery, NMFS and CDFG requested that the Pacific Council 
consider whether to include the Cordell Banks in the RCA and which 
species would be affected by this closure. For the fixed gear fleet, 
the Cordell Banks is closed because it lies within the non-trawl RCA 
boundaries for 2004. However, for the trawl fleet, the Cordell Banks is 
located shoreward of the trawl RCA throughout 2004. After considering 
this issue, the Pacific Council recommended that the commercial closure 
should apply to both the fixed gear and trawl fleets and should be 
closed to fishing for all species of Federal groundfish, similar to the 
RCAs. The Pacific Council recommended and NMFS is implementing a 
commercial closure of Cordell Banks by adjusting the 75-fm (137- m) and 
100-fm (183-m) trawl RCA boundaries to incorporate the Cordell Banks 
into the trawl RCA.

Corrections and Revisions

    The following corrections and revisions are being made to the 2004 
management measures.
    The recreational restrictions for the Cowcod Conservation Areas 
(CCAs) are corrected for waters shoreward of the 20 fm (37 m) depth 
contour such that retention of rockfish in this area is limited to 
minor nearshore rockfish. The CCAs are being clarified to eliminate a 
discrepancy between Federal and State recreational CCA restrictions. 
Federal CCA restrictions for the recreational fishery read, ``Fishing 
for all groundfish, except sanddabs, will be prohibited in the CCA, 
except that recreational fishing for sanddabs, RCG complex, lingcod and 
California scorpionfish will be permitted shoreward of 20 fm in the 
CCA.'' State CCA restrictions for the recreational fishery read, 
``Recreational fishing for all groundfish, except rockfish, lingcod, 
and associated species limited to cabezon, greenlings of the genus 
Hexogrammos, California scorpionfish, California sheephead and ocean 
whitefish, is permitted in the CCA. Recreational fishing for all 
groundfish species is permitted shoreward of 20 fm in the CCA.'' 
Therefore, State recreational CCA restrictions are less restrictive 
than Federal recreational CCA restrictions. CDFG and NMFS brought this 
issue to the Pacific Council to get clarification on the Council's 
original intent with respect to the CCAs. The motion on CCAs from the 
November 2000 Council meeting, which first recommended the CCAs, stated 
that the CCAs would be closed, ``except that the CCAs would be open to 
minor nearshore rockfish, cabezon and greenlings inside 20 fm.'' CDFG 
commented that minor nearshore rockfish was specified to discourage any 
pressure on shelf rockfish, such as vermillion rockfish, near the 20-fm 
(37-m) boundary line. Targeting on shelf rockfish might increase 
incidental catch of cowcod. At the time of the motion, minor nearshore 
rockfish included California scorpionfish. California scorpionfish was 
separated from minor nearshore rockfish in Federal recreational 
management measures beginning in 2003. In 2002, lingcod was added to 
the list of species that could be retained shoreward of the 20-fm (37-
m) depth contour within the CCAs. In 2003, recreational sanddab fishing 
was permitted in the CCAs and shoreward of 20-fm (37-m) in the CCAs.
    Therefore, the Pacific Council recommended that both Federal and 
State recreational CCA restrictions should be corrected. The Federal 
recreational CCA restrictions are herein corrected to read, ``Fishing 
for all groundfish, except sanddabs, will be prohibited in the CCA, 
except that recreational fishing for sanddabs, minor

[[Page 23442]]

nearshore rockfish, cabezon, greenlings of the genus Hexogrammos, 
lingcod and California scorpionfish will be permitted shoreward of 20-
fm (37-m) in the CCA.''
    The recreational RCA language is revised to allow combined RCA and 
non-RCA fishing trips. However, fishing cannot occur within the RCA 
while in possession of fish that are prohibited in the RCA. If an 
angler intends to fish for groundfish and other non-groundfish species 
in the same fishing trip, the angler must first fish within the RCA for 
non-groundfish species (except that fishing for sanddabs is permitted) 
and then fish shoreward of the RCA for groundfish. For example, with 
this clarification, a vessel could fish for salmon within the RCA at 
the start of a trip provided no prohibited groundfish species were 
onboard, then complete the trip by fishing for groundfish shoreward of 
the RCA. After hearing concern and confusion from the recreational 
community, the Enforcement Consultants (EC), an advisory body to the 
Pacific Council, brought this issue forward at the Council's April 
meeting, asking the Council to clarify its intent. The EC pointed out 
that combined RCA and non-RCA fishing trips did not bring up the same 
enforcement concerns that arise from combined trips for the commercial 
fishery. For the commercial fishery, it is difficult to enforce 
combined trips because groundfish fishing opportunity is available 
shoreward and seaward of the RCA and because of lack of at-sea 
enforcement capabilities. For the recreational fishery, there is not an 
enforcement concern because there are more at-sea enforcement 
capabilities in the nearshore where recreational fisheries occur. 
Groundfish fishing is only permitted shoreward of the RCA. Therefore, 
the Pacific Council recommended that NMFS clarify the recreational RCA 
language to prohibit recreational anglers from fishing in the RCA while 
in possession of species prohibited within the RCA.
    California's recreational fishery between 40[deg]10' N. lat. and 
34[deg]27' N. lat. is corrected to add a depth restriction to fishing 
occurring during September 1-29, 2004. The CDFG, along with the Pacific 
Council's GMT, recommended at the Pacific Council's September 2003 
meeting where final 2004 management measures were recommended, that the 
recreational fishery between 40[deg]10' N. lat. and 34[deg]27' N. lat. 
be subject to a recreational RCA at a boundary line approximating the 
30-fm (55-m) depth contour for the September through October two-month 
cumulative limit period. Part of this closure was inadvertently left 
out of the emergency, proposed, and final rules for the 2004 
specifications and management measures. Thus, the recreational RCA 
between 40[deg]10' N. lat. and 34[deg]27' N. lat. is herein corrected 
to add a closure at a boundary approximating the 30-fm (55-m) depth 
contour during September 1-29, 2004.
    A reference to the trawl RCA boundaries is corrected in section 
IV.A., paragraph (17)(c)(i) to refer to paragraph (f) rather than 
paragraph (e).
    Language describing the non-trawl RCA is revised to allow sanddab 
fishing within the RCA with the specified gear. As stated in the 
limited entry fixed gear and open access trip limit tables, Table 4 
(South) and Table 5 (South), fishing for sanddabs is permitted in the 
non-trawl RCA when fishing with hook and line gear with no more than 12 
hooks per line, using hooks no larger than ``Number 2'' hooks, which 
measure 11 mm (0.44 in) point to shank, and up to 1 lb (0.45 kg) of 
weight per line. However, under the general definitions and provisions, 
paragraph IV.A.(17)(d), describing the non-trawl RCA, there is no 
reference to an exception for fishing within the RCA for sanddabs. This 
inseason action clarifies that paragraph, adding the exception to allow 
fishing for sanddabs within the RCA with the appropriate gear.
    The introductory paragraph describing the 30-fm (55-m) RCA boundary 
in section IV. A., paragraph (17)(f)(ii)(E) is corrected to read ``30 
fm'' instead of ``300 fm.''
    Longitude coordinates for the 40-fm (73-m) and 50-fm (91-m) RCA 
boundaries in section IV. A., paragraph (17)(f)(iii) and (iv) are 
corrected to read ``W. long.'' instead of ``N. lat.''
    A latitude coordinate for the 60 fm (110 m) RCA boundary around the 
northern Channel Islands in section IV.A., paragraph (17)(f)(v)(A) line 
(13), is corrected to read ``34[deg]02.80' N. lat.'' instead of 
``34[deg]28.00' N. lat.''
    Footnote 4 of the limited entry fixed gear trip limit table, Table 
4 (South), is corrected to remove language stating that, ``chilipepper 
rockfish is included in the trip limits for minor shelf rockfish.'' In 
Table 4 (South), chilipepper rockfish has been pulled out of the minor 
shelf rockfish category and given it's own trip limit in 2004. The 
reference to chilipepper in footnote 4 is a remnant from past trip 
limit tables and is removed.

NMFS Actions

    For the reasons stated herein, NMFS concurs with the Pacific 
Council's recommendations and hereby announces the following changes to 
the 2004 specifications and management measures (69 FR 11064, March 9, 
2004), to read as follows:
    1. In section IV., under A. General Definitions and Provisions, 
paragraph (17)(b) is corrected to read as follows:
* * * * *
    (b) Cowcod Conservation Areas. The CCAs are two areas off the 
southern California coast intended to protect cowcod. The specific 
latitude and longitude coordinates of the Cowcod Conservation Areas 
(CCAs) are defined at Sec.  660.304(c)(2). During January 1-December 
31, commercial fishing is prohibited within the CCAs, except that 
commercial fishing for rockfish and lingcod is permitted shoreward of 
the 20-fm (37-m) depth contour. In general, during March 1-December 31, 
recreational fishing for all groundfish, except sanddabs, is prohibited 
within the CCAs. However, recreational fishing for the following 
species is permitted shoreward of the 20-fm (37-m) depth contour: minor 
nearshore rockfish, cabezon, kelp greenling, lingcod, California 
scorpionfish, and sanddabs. (Note: California State regulations also 
permit recreational fishing for all greenlings of the genus Hexogrammos 
shoreward of the 20-fm (37-m) depth contour in the CCAs.) It is 
unlawful to take and retain, possess, or land groundfish within the 
CCAs, except for species stated in this section, 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.
* * * * *
    2. In section IV., under A. General Definitions and Provisions, 
paragraph (17)(c)(i) is corrected to read as follows:
* * * * *
    (c) Trawl (Limited Entry and Open Access Exempted Trawl Gears) 
Rockfish Conservation Area.
    (i) Trawl RCAs are intended to protect a complex of species, such 
as overfished shelf rockfish species, and have boundaries defined by 
specific latitude and longitude coordinates intended to approximate 
particular depth contours, such as 75 fm (137 m), 150 fm (274 m), and 
200 fm (366 m). The trawl RCA is closed coastwide to limited entry 
groundfish trawl fishing, except for mid-water trawl vessels 
participating in the primary whiting season. The trawl RCA is also 
closed coastwide to open access exempted trawl fishing, except for pink

[[Page 23443]]

shrimp trawling. Fishing with any trawl gear is prohibited within the 
trawl RCA coastwide, unless that vessel is participating in the primary 
whiting season with mid-water trawl gear, trawling with midwater gear 
for yellowtail or widow rockfish when that is permitted, or trawling 
for pink shrimp. Coastwide, it is unlawful to take and retain, possess, 
or land any species of fish taken with trawl gear within the trawl RCA, 
except as permitted for vessels participating in the primary whiting 
season with mid-water trawl gear or for vessels participating in the 
pink shrimp trawl fishery. Throughout the year, boundaries for the 
trawl RCA are provided in Table 3 of section IV.B. and in Table 5 of 
section IV.C. and may be modified by NMFS inseason pursuant to the 
requirements of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA). Trawl RCA 
boundaries are defined by specific latitude and longitude coordinates 
and are provided below at paragraph (f) of this section.
* * * * *
    3. In section IV., under A. General Definitions and Provisions, 
paragraph (17)(d)(i) is revised to read as follows:
* * * * *
    (d) Non-Trawl (Limited Entry Fixed Gear and Open Access Non-trawl 
Gears) Rockfish Conservation Area.
    (i) Non-trawl RCAs are intended to protect a complex of species, 
such as overfished shelf rockfish species, and have boundaries defined 
by specific latitude and longitude coordinates intended to approximate 
particular depth contours, such as 27 fm (49 m), 100 fm (183 m), and 
150 fm (274 m). 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, except that fishing for sanddabs is permitted within the 
non-trawl RCA with the gear specified in Table 4 (South) of section 
IV.B. and Table 5 (South) of section IV.C. Fishing for groundfish, 
except sanddabs, with non-trawl gear is prohibited within the non-trawl 
RCA. It is unlawful to take and retain, possess, or land groundfish 
(except sanddabs) taken with non-trawl gear within the non-trawl RCA. 
Limited entry fixed gear and open access non-trawl gear vessels may 
transit through the non-trawl RCA, with or without groundfish on board. 
These restrictions do not apply to vessels fishing for species other 
than groundfish with non-trawl gear, although non-trawl vessels on a 
fishing trip for species other than groundfish that occurs within the 
non-trawl RCA may not retain any groundfish taken on that trip. If a 
vessel fishes in the non-trawl RCA, it may not participate in any 
fishing on that trip that is prohibited by the restrictions that apply 
within the non-trawl 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. Throughout the 
year, boundaries for the non-trawl RCA are provided in Table 4 of 
section IV.B. and in Table 5 of section IV.C. and may be modified by 
NMFS inseason pursuant to the requirements of the APA. Non-trawl RCA 
boundaries are defined by specific latitude and longitude coordinates 
and are provided below at paragraph (f) of this section.
* * * * *
    4. In section IV., under A. General Definitions and Provisions, 
paragraph (17)(e)(i) is revised to read as follows:
* * * * *
    (e) Recreational Rockfish Conservation Area.
    (i) Recreational RCAs are closed areas intended to protect 
overfished rockfish species. Recreational RCAs may either have (1) 
boundaries defined by general depth contours or (2) boundaries defined 
by specific latitude and longitude coordinates intended to approximate 
particular depth contours. The recreational RCA is closed to 
recreational fishing for groundfish. Fishing for groundfish with 
recreational gear is prohibited within the recreational RCA. It is 
unlawful to take and retain, possess, or land groundfish taken with 
recreational gear within the recreational RCA. If a vessel fishes in 
the recreational RCA, it may not be in possession of any species 
prohibited by the restrictions that apply within the recreational RCA. 
For example, if a vessel participates in the recreational salmon 
fishery within the RCA, the vessel cannot be in possession of 
groundfish while in the RCA. The vessel may, however, on the same trip 
fish for and retain groundfish shoreward of the RCA on the return trip 
to port. Throughout the year, boundaries for the recreational RCAs are 
provided in the text in section IV.D. under each state (Washington, 
Oregon and California) and may be modified by NMFS inseason. 
Recreational RCA boundaries that are defined by specific latitude and 
longitude coordinates are provided below at paragraph (f) of this 
section.
* * * * *
    5. In section IV., under A. General Definitions and Provisions, the 
introductory text in paragraph (17)(f)(ii)(E) is corrected to read as 
follows:
* * * * *
    (E) The 30-fm (55-m) depth contour around Santa Catalina Island off 
the State of California is defined by straight lines connecting all of 
the following points in the order stated:
* * * * *
    6. In section IV., under A. General Definitions and Provisions, 
paragraphs (17)(f)(iii) and (17)(f)(iv) are corrected to read as 
follows:
* * * * *
    (iii) The 40 fm (73 m) depth contour between 46[deg]16' N. lat. and 
42[deg]00' N. lat. is defined by straight lines connecting all of the 
following points in the order stated:
    (1) 46[deg]16.00' N. lat., 124[deg]16.10' W. long.;
    (2) 46[deg]15.29' N. lat., 124[deg]15.60' W. long.;
    (3) 46[deg]11.90' N. lat., 124[deg]13.59' W. long.;
    (4) 46[deg]06.93' N. lat., 124[deg]10.15' W. long.;
    (5) 46[deg]05.33' N. lat., 124[deg]08.30' W. long.;
    (6) 45[deg]58.69' N. lat., 124[deg]05.60' W. long.;
    (7) 45[deg]57.71' N. lat., 124[deg]05.82' W. long.;
    (8) 45[deg]53.97' N. lat., 124[deg]05.04' W. long.;
    (9) 45[deg]49.75' N. lat., 124[deg]05.14' W. long.;
    (10) 45[deg]47.88' N. lat., 124[deg]05.16' W. long.;
    (11) 45[deg]47.07'N. lat., 124[deg]04.21' W. long.;
    (12) 45[deg]44.34'N. lat., 124[deg]05.09' W. long.;
    (13) 45[deg]40.64'N. lat., 124[deg]04.90' W. long.;
    (14) 45[deg]33.00'N. lat., 124[deg]04.46' W. long.;
    (15) 45[deg]32.27'N. lat., 124[deg]04.74' W. long.;
    (16) 45[deg]29.26'N. lat., 124[deg]04.22' W. long.;
    (17) 45[deg]19.99'N. lat., 124[deg]04.62' W. long.;
    (18) 45[deg]17.50'N. lat., 124[deg]04.91' W. long.;
    (19) 45[deg]11.29'N. lat., 124[deg]05.19' W. long.;
    (20) 45[deg]05.79'N. lat., 124[deg]05.40' W. long.;
    (21) 45[deg]05.07'N. lat., 124[deg]05.93' W. long.;
    (22) 45[deg]01.70'N. lat., 124[deg]06.53' W. long.;
    (23) 44[deg]58.75'N. lat., 124[deg]07.14' W. long.;
    (24) 44[deg]51.28'N. lat., 124[deg]10.21' W. long.;
    (25) 44[deg]49.49'N. lat., 124[deg]10.89' W. long.;

[[Page 23444]]

    (26) 44[deg]44.96'N. lat., 124[deg]14.39' W. long.;
    (27) 44[deg]43.44'N. lat., 124[deg]14.78' W. long.;
    (28) 44[deg]42.27'N. lat., 124[deg]13.81' W. long.;
    (29) 44[deg]41.68'N. lat., 124[deg]15.38' W. long.;
    (30) 44[deg]34.87'N. lat., 124[deg]15.80' W. long.;
    (31) 44[deg]33.74'N. lat., 124[deg]14.43' W. long.;
    (32) 44[deg]27.66'N. lat., 124[deg]16.99' W. long.;
    (33) 44[deg]19.13'N. lat., 124[deg]19.22' W. long.;
    (34) 44[deg]15.35'N. lat., 124[deg]17.37' W. long.;
    (35) 44[deg]14.38'N. lat., 124[deg]17.78' W. long.;
    (36) 44[deg]12.80'N. lat., 124[deg]17.18' W. long.;
    (37) 44[deg]09.23'N. lat., 124[deg]15.96' W. long.;
    (38) 44[deg]08.38'N. lat., 124[deg]16.80' W. long.;
    (39) 44[deg]01.18'N. lat., 124[deg]15.42' W. long.;
    (40) 43[deg]51.60'N. lat., 124[deg]14.68' W. long.;
    (41) 43[deg]42.66'N. lat., 124[deg]15.46' W. long.;
    (42) 43[deg]40.49'N. lat., 124[deg]15.74' W. long.;
    (43) 43[deg]38.77'N. lat., 124[deg]15.64' W. long.;
    (44) 43[deg]34.52'N. lat., 124[deg]16.73' W. long.;
    (45) 43[deg]28.82'N. lat., 124[deg]19.52' W. long.;
    (46) 43[deg]23.91'N. lat., 124[deg]24.28' W. long.;
    (47) 43[deg]17.96'N. lat., 124[deg]28.81' W. long.;
    (48) 43[deg]16.75'N. lat., 124[deg]28.42' W. long.;
    (49) 43[deg]13.98'N. lat., 124[deg]31.99' W. long.;
    (50) 43[deg]13.71'N. lat., 124[deg]33.25' W. long.;
    (51) 43[deg]12.26'N. lat., 124[deg]34.16' W. long.;
    (52) 43[deg]10.96'N. lat., 124[deg]32.34' W. long.;
    (53) 43[deg]05.65'N. lat., 124[deg]31.52' W. long.;
    (54) 42[deg]59.66'N. lat., 124[deg]32.58' W. long.;
    (55) 42[deg]54.97'N. lat., 124[deg]36.99' W. long.;
    (56) 42[deg]53.81'N. lat., 124[deg]38.58' W. long.;
    (57) 42[deg]49.14'N. lat., 124[deg]39.92' W. long.;
    (58) 42[deg]46.47'N. lat., 124[deg]38.65' W. long.;
    (59) 42[deg]45.60'N. lat., 124[deg]39.04' W. long.;
    (60) 42[deg]44.79'N. lat., 124[deg]37.96' W. long.;
    (61) 42[deg]45.00'N. lat., 124[deg]36.39' W. long.;
    (62) 42[deg]44.14'N. lat., 124[deg]35.16' W. long.;
    (63) 42[deg]42.15'N. lat., 124[deg]32.82' W. long.;
    (64) 42[deg]38.82'N. lat., 124[deg]31.09' W. long.;
    (65) 42[deg]35.91'N. lat., 124[deg]31.02' W. long.;
    (66) 42[deg]31.34'N. lat., 124[deg]34.84' W. long.;
    (67) 42[deg]28.13'N. lat., 124[deg]34.83' W. long.;
    (68) 42[deg]26.73'N. lat., 124[deg]35.58' W. long.;
    (69) 42[deg]23.85'N. lat., 124[deg]34.05' W. long.;
    (70) 42[deg]21.68'N. lat., 124[deg]30.64' W. long.;
    (71) 42[deg]19.62'N. lat., 124[deg]29.02' W. long.;
    (72) 42[deg]15.01'N. lat., 124[deg]27.72' W. long.;
    (73) 42[deg]11.38'N. lat., 124[deg]25.62' W. long.;
    (74) 42[deg]04.66'N. lat., 124[deg]24.39' W. long.; and
    (75) 42[deg]00.00'N. lat., 124[deg]23.55' W. long.
    (iv) The 50-fm (91-m) depth contour between the U.S. border with 
Canada and the Swiftsure Bank is defined by straight lines connecting 
all of the following points in the order stated:
    (1) 48[deg]30.15' N. lat., 124[deg]56.12' W. long.;
* * * * *
    7. In section IV., under A. General Definitions and Provisions, 
paragraph (17)(f)(v)(A), line (13), is corrected to read as follows:
* * * * *
    (13) 34[deg]02.80' N. lat., 119[deg]21.40' W. long.;
* * * * *
    8. In section IV., under A. General Definitions and Provisions, 
paragraph (17)(f)(vi) is revised to read as follows:
* * * * *
    (vi) The 75-fm (137-m) depth contour used between the U.S. border 
with Canada and the U.S. border with Mexico is defined by straight 
lines connecting all of the following points in the order stated:
* * * * *
    (123) 38[deg]00.00' N. lat., 123[deg]22.19' W. long.;
    (124) 37[deg]57.70' N. lat., 123[deg]25.98' W. long.;
    (125) 37[deg]56.73' N. lat., 123[deg]25.22' W. long.;
    (126) 37[deg]55.59' N. lat., 123[deg]25.62' W. long.;
    (127) 37[deg]52.79' N. lat., 123[deg]23.85' W. long.;
    (128) 37[deg]49.13' N. lat., 123[deg]18.83' W. long.;
    (129) 37[deg]46.01' N. lat., 123[deg]12.28' W. long.;
    (130) 37[deg]36.12' N. lat., 123[deg]00.33' W. long.;
    (131) 37[deg]03.52' N. lat., 122[deg]37.57' W. long.;
    (132) 36[deg]59.69' N. lat., 122[deg]27.32' W. long.;
    (133) 37[deg]01.41' N. lat., 122[deg]24.41' W. long.;
    (134) 36[deg]58.75' N. lat., 122[deg]23.81' W. long.;
    (135) 36[deg]59.17' N. lat., 122[deg]21.44' W. long.;
    (136) 36[deg]57.51' N. lat., 122[deg]20.69' W. long.;
    (137) 36[deg]51.46' N. lat., 122[deg]10.01' W. long.;
    (138) 36[deg]48.43' N. lat., 122[deg]06.47' W. long.;
    (139) 36[deg]48.66' N. lat., 122[deg]04.99' W. long.;
    (140) 36[deg]47.75' N. lat., 122[deg]03.33' W. long.;
    (141) 36[deg]51.23' N. lat., 121[deg]57.79' W. long.;
    (142) 36[deg]49.72' N. lat., 121[deg]57.87' W. long.;
    (143) 36[deg]48.84' N. lat., 121[deg]58.68' W. long.;
    (144) 36[deg]47.89' N. lat., 121[deg]58.53' W. long.;
    (145) 36[deg]48.66' N. lat., 121[deg]50.49' W. long.;
    (146) 36[deg]45.56' N. lat., 121[deg]54.11' W. long.;
    (147) 36[deg]45.30' N. lat., 121[deg]57.62' W. long.;
    (148) 36[deg]38.54' N. lat., 122[deg]01.13' W. long.;
    (149) 36[deg]35.76' N. lat., 122[deg]00.87' W. long.;
    (150) 36[deg]32.58' N. lat., 121[deg]59.12' W. long.;
    (151) 36[deg]32.95' N. lat., 121[deg]57.62' W. long.;
    (152) 36[deg]31.96' N. lat., 121[deg]56.27' W. long.;
    (153) 36[deg]31.74' N. lat., 121[deg]58.24' W. long.;
    (154) 36[deg]30.57' N. lat., 121[deg]59.66' W. long.;
    (155) 36[deg]27.80' N. lat., 121[deg]59.30' W. long.;
    (156) 36[deg]26.52' N. lat., 121[deg]58.09' W. long.;
    (157) 36[deg]23.65' N. lat., 121[deg]58.94' W. long.;
    (158) 36[deg]20.93' N. lat., 122[deg]00.28' W. long.;
    (159) 36[deg]18.23' N. lat., 122[deg]03.10' W. long.;
    (160) 36[deg]14.21' N. lat., 121[deg]57.73' W. long.;
    (161) 36[deg]14.68' N. lat., 121[deg]55.43' W. long.;
    (162) 36[deg]10.42' N. lat., 121[deg]42.90' W. long.;
    (163) 36[deg]02.55' N. lat., 121[deg]36.35' W. long.;

[[Page 23445]]

    (164) 36[deg]01.04' N. lat., 121[deg]36.47' W. long.;
    (165) 35[deg]58.25' N. lat., 121[deg]32.88' W. long.;
    (166) 35[deg]39.35' N. lat., 121[deg]22.63' W. long.;
    (167) 35[deg]24.44' N. lat., 121[deg]02.23' W. long.;
    (168) 35[deg]10.84' N. lat., 120[deg]55.90' W. long.;
    (169) 35[deg]04.35' N. lat., 120[deg]51.62' W. long.;
    (170) 34[deg]55.25' N. lat., 120[deg]49.36' W. long.;
    (171) 34[deg]47.95' N. lat., 120[deg]50.76' W. long.;
    (172) 34[deg]39.27' N. lat., 120[deg]49.16' W. long.;
    (173) 34[deg]31.05' N. lat., 120[deg]44.71' W. long.;
    (174) 34[deg]27.00' N. lat., 120[deg]36.54' W. long.;
    (175) 34[deg]22.60' N. lat., 120[deg]25.41' W. long.;
    (176) 34[deg]25.45' N. lat., 120[deg]17.41' W. long.;
    (177) 34[deg]22.94' N. lat., 119[deg]56.40' W. long.;
    (178) 34[deg]18.37' N. lat., 119[deg]42.01' W. long.;
    (179) 34[deg]11.22' N. lat., 119[deg]32.47' W. long.;
    (180) 34[deg]09.58' N. lat., 119[deg]25.94' W. long.;
    (181) 34[deg]03.89' N. lat., 119[deg]12.47' W. long.;
    (182) 34[deg]03.57' N. lat., 119[deg]06.72' W. long.;
    (183) 34[deg]04.53' N. lat., 119[deg]04.90' W. long.;
    (184) 34[deg]02.84' N. lat., 119[deg]02.37' W. long.;
    (185) 34[deg]01.30' N. lat., 119[deg]00.26' W. long.;
    (186) 34[deg]00.22' N. lat., 119[deg]03.20' W. long.;
    (187) 33[deg]59.60' N. lat., 119[deg]03.16' W. long.;
    (188) 33[deg]59.46' N. lat., 119[deg]00.88' W. long.;
    (189) 34[deg]00.49' N. lat., 118[deg]59.08' W. long.;
    (190) 33[deg]59.07' N. lat., 118[deg]47.34' W. long.;
    (191) 33[deg]58.73' N. lat., 118[deg]36.45' W. long.;
    (192) 33[deg]55.24' N. lat., 118[deg]33.42' W. long.;
    (193) 33[deg]53.71' N. lat., 118[deg]38.01' W. long.;
    (194) 33[deg]51.22' N. lat., 118[deg]36.17' W. long.;
    (195) 33[deg]49.85' N. lat., 118[deg]32.31' W. long.;
    (196) 33[deg]49.61' N. lat., 118[deg]28.07' W. long.;
    (197) 33[deg]49.95' N. lat., 118[deg]26.38' W. long.;
    (198) 33[deg]50.36' N. lat., 118[deg]25.84' W. long.;
    (199) 33[deg]49.84' N. lat., 118[deg]24.78' W. long.;
    (200) 33[deg]47.53' N. lat., 118[deg]30.12' W. long.;
    (201) 33[deg]44.11' N. lat., 118[deg]25.25' W. long.;
    (202) 33[deg]41.77' N. lat., 118[deg]20.32' W. long.;
    (203) 33[deg]38.17' N. lat., 118[deg]15.70' W. long.;
    (204) 33[deg]37.48' N. lat., 118[deg]16.73' W. long.;
    (205) 33[deg]36.01' N. lat., 118[deg]16.55' W. long.;
    (206) 33[deg]33.76' N. lat., 118[deg]11.37' W. long.;
    (207) 33[deg]33.76' N. lat., 118[deg]07.94' W. long.;
    (208) 33[deg]35.59' N. lat., 118[deg]05.05' W. long.;
    (209) 33[deg]33.75' N. lat., 117[deg]59.82' W. long.;
    (210) 33[deg]35.10' N. lat., 117[deg]55.68' W. long.;
    (211) 33[deg]34.91' N. lat., 117[deg]53.76' W. long.;
    (212) 33[deg]30.77' N. lat., 117[deg]47.56' W. long.;
    (213) 33[deg]27.50' N. lat., 117[deg]44.87' W. long.;
    (214) 33[deg]16.89' N. lat., 117[deg]34.37' W. long.;
    (215) 33[deg]06.66' N. lat., 117[deg]21.59' W. long.;
    (216) 33[deg]03.35' N. lat., 117[deg]20.92' W. long.;
    (217) 33[deg]00.07' N. lat., 117[deg]19.02' W. long.;
    (218) 32[deg]55.99' N. lat., 117[deg]18.60' W. long.;
    (219) 32[deg]54.43' N. lat., 117[deg]16.93' W. long.;
    (220) 32[deg]52.13' N. lat., 117[deg]16.55' W. long.;
    (221) 32[deg]52.61' N. lat., 117[deg]19.50' W. long.;
    (222) 32[deg]46.95' N. lat., 117[deg]22.81' W. long.;
    (223) 32[deg]45.01' N. lat., 117[deg]22.07' W. long.;
    (224) 32[deg]43.40' N. lat., 117[deg]19.80' W. long.; and
    (225) 32[deg]33.74' N. lat., 117[deg]18.67' W. long.
* * * * *
    9. In section IV., under A. General Definitions and Provisions, 
paragraph (17)(f)(vii) is revised to read as follows:
* * * * *
    (vii) The 100 fm (183 m) depth contour used between the U.S. border 
with Canada and the U.S. border with Mexico is defined by straight 
lines connecting all of the following points in the order stated:
* * * * *
    (196) 38[deg]00.00' N. lat., 123[deg]23.08' W. long.;
    (197) 37[deg]55.07' N. lat., 123[deg]26.81' W. long.;
    (198) 37[deg]50.66' N. lat., 123[deg]23.06' W. long.;
    (199) 37[deg]45.18' N. lat., 123[deg]11.88' W. long.;
    (200) 37[deg]36.21' N. lat., 123[deg]01.20' W. long.;
    (201) 37[deg]15.58' N. lat., 122[deg]48.36' W. long.;
    (202) 37[deg]03.18' N. lat., 122[deg]38.15' W. long.;
    (203) 37[deg]00.48' N. lat., 122[deg]33.93' W. long.;
    (204) 36[deg]58.70' N. lat., 122[deg]27.22' W. long.;
    (205) 37[deg]00.85' N. lat., 122[deg]24.70' W. long.;
    (206) 36[deg]58.00' N. lat., 122[deg]24.14' W. long.;
    (207) 36[deg]58.74' N. lat., 122[deg]21.51' W. long.;
    (208) 36[deg]56.97' N. lat., 122[deg]21.32' W. long.;
    (209) 36[deg]51.52' N. lat., 122[deg]10.68' W. long.;
    (210) 36[deg]48.39' N. lat., 122[deg]07.60' W. long.;
    (211) 36[deg]47.43' N. lat., 122[deg]03.22' W. long.;
    (212) 36[deg]50.95' N. lat., 121[deg]58.03' W. long.;
    (213) 36[deg]49.92' N. lat., 121[deg]58.01' W. long.;
    (214) 36[deg]48.88' N. lat., 121[deg]58.90' W. long.;
    (215) 36[deg]47.70' N. lat., 121[deg]58.75' W. long.;
    (216) 36[deg]48.37' N. lat., 121[deg]51.14' W. long.;
    (217) 36[deg]45.74' N. lat., 121[deg]54.17' W. long.;
    (218) 36[deg]45.51' N. lat., 121[deg]57.72' W. long.;
    (219) 36[deg]38.84' N. lat., 122[deg]01.32' W. long.;
    (220) 36[deg]35.62' N. lat., 122[deg]00.98' W. long.;
    (221) 36[deg]32.46' N. lat., 121[deg]59.15' W. long.;
    (222) 36[deg]32.79' N. lat., 121[deg]57.67' W. long.;
    (223) 36[deg]31.98' N. lat., 121[deg]56.55' W. long.;
    (224) 36[deg]31.79' N. lat., 121[deg]58.40' W. long.;
    (225) 36[deg]30.73' N. lat., 121[deg]59.70' W. long.;
    (226) 36[deg]30.31' N. lat., 122[deg]00.22' W. long.;
    (227) 36[deg]29.35' N. lat., 122[deg]00.36' W. long.;
    (228) 36[deg]27.66' N. lat., 121[deg]59.80' W. long.;
    (229) 36[deg]26.22' N. lat., 121[deg]58.35' W. long.;
    (230) 36[deg]21.20' N. lat., 122[deg]00.72' W. long.;
    (231) 36[deg]20.47' N. lat., 122[deg]02.92' W. long.;

[[Page 23446]]

    (232) 36[deg]18.46' N. lat., 122[deg]04.51' W. long.;
    (233) 36[deg]15.92' N. lat., 122[deg]01.33' W. long.;
    (234) 36[deg]13.76' N. lat., 121[deg]57.27' W. long.;
    (235) 36[deg]14.43' N. lat., 121[deg]55.43' W. long.;
    (236) 36[deg]10.24' N. lat., 121[deg]43.08' W. long.;
    (237) 36[deg]07.66' N. lat., 121[deg]40.91' W. long.;
    (238) 36[deg]02.49' N. lat., 121[deg]36.51' W. long.;
    (239) 36[deg]01.07' N. lat., 121[deg]36.82' W. long.;
    (240) 35[deg]57.84' N. lat., 121[deg]33.10' W. long.;
    (241) 35[deg]50.36' N. lat., 121[deg]29.32' W. long.;
    (242) 35[deg]39.03' N. lat., 121[deg]22.86' W. long.;
    (243) 35[deg]24.30' N. lat., 121[deg]02.56' W. long.;
    (244) 35[deg]16.53' N. lat., 121[deg]00.39' W. long.;
    (245) 35[deg]04.82' N. lat., 120[deg]53.96' W. long.;
    (246) 34[deg]52.51' N. lat., 120[deg]51.62' W. long.;
    (247) 34[deg]43.36' N. lat., 120[deg]52.12' W. long.;
    (248) 34[deg]37.64' N. lat., 120[deg]49.99' W. long.;
    (249) 34[deg]30.80' N. lat., 120[deg]45.02' W. long.;
    (250) 34[deg]27.00' N. lat., 120[deg]39.00' W. long.;
    (251) 34[deg]21.90' N. lat., 120[deg]25.25' W. long.;
    (252) 34[deg]24.86' N. lat., 120[deg]16.81' W. long.;
    (253) 34[deg]22.80' N. lat., 119[deg]57.06' W. long.;
    (254) 34[deg]18.59' N. lat., 119[deg]44.84' W. long.;
    (255) 34[deg]15.04' N. lat., 119[deg]40.34' W. long.;
    (256) 34[deg]14.40' N. lat., 119[deg]45.39' W. long.;
    (257) 34[deg]12.32' N. lat., 119[deg]42.41' W. long.;
    (258) 34[deg]09.71' N. lat., 119[deg]28.85' W. long.;
    (259) 34[deg]04.70' N. lat., 119[deg]15.38' W. long.;
    (260) 34[deg]03.33' N. lat., 119[deg]12.93' W. long.;
    (261) 34[deg]02.72' N. lat., 119[deg]07.01' W. long.;
    (262) 34[deg]03.90' N. lat., 119[deg]04.64' W. long.;
    (263) 34[deg]01.80' N. lat., 119[deg]03.23' W. long.;
    (264) 33[deg]59.32' N. lat., 119[deg]03.50' W. long.;
    (265) 33[deg]59.00' N. lat., 118[deg]59.55' W. long.;
    (266) 33[deg]59.51' N. lat., 118[deg]57.25' W. long.;
    (267) 33[deg]58.82' N. lat., 118[deg]52.47' W. long.;
    (268) 33[deg]58.54' N. lat., 118[deg]41.86' W. long.;
    (269) 33[deg]55.07' N. lat., 118[deg]34.25' W. long.;
    (270) 33[deg]54.28' N. lat., 118[deg]38.68' W. long.;
    (271) 33[deg]51.00' N. lat., 118[deg]36.66' W. long.;
    (272) 33[deg]39.77' N. lat., 118[deg]18.41' W. long.;
    (273) 33[deg]35.50' N. lat., 118[deg]16.85' W. long.;
    (274) 33[deg]32.68' N. lat., 118[deg]09.82' W. long.;
    (275) 33[deg]34.09' N. lat., 117[deg]54.06' W. long.;
    (276) 33[deg]31.60' N. lat., 117[deg]49.28' W. long.;
    (277) 33[deg]16.07' N. lat., 117[deg]34.74' W. long.;
    (278) 33[deg]07.06' N. lat., 117[deg]22.71' W. long.;
    (279) 32[deg]59.28' N. lat., 117[deg]19.69' W. long.;
    (280) 32[deg]55.36' N. lat., 117[deg]19.54' W. long.;
    (281) 32[deg]53.35' N. lat., 117[deg]17.05' W. long.;
    (282) 32[deg]53.34' N. lat., 117[deg]19.13' W. long.;
    (283) 32[deg]46.39' N. lat., 117[deg]23.45' W. long.;
    (284) 32[deg]42.79' N. lat., 117[deg]21.16' W. long.; and
    (285) 32[deg]34.22' N. lat., 117[deg]21.20' W. long.
* * * * *
    10. In section IV., under B. Limited Entry Fishery, footnote 4 in 
Table 4 (South) is corrected to read as follows:
* * * * *
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S

[[Page 23447]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR29AP04.004


[[Page 23448]]


[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR29AP04.005

BILLING CODE 3510-22-C
    11. In section IV., under D. Recreational Fishery, paragraph 
(3)(b)(i)(A) is corrected to read as follows:
* * * * *
    (A) Cowcod Conservation Areas. Coordinates defining the boundaries 
of the Cowcod Conservation Areas (CCAs) are described in Federal 
regulations at 50 CFR 660.304(c). Recreational fishing for all 
groundfish is prohibited within the CCAs, except that fishing for 
sanddabs is permitted subject to the provisions in paragraph 
IV.D.(3)(b)(v). However, recreational fishing for the following species 
is permitted shoreward of the 20 fm (37 m) depth contour within the 
CCAs from March 1 through December 31, subject to the bag limits in 
this section: minor nearshore rockfish, cabezon, kelp greenling, 
lingcod, California scorpionfish, and sanddabs. (Note: California State 
regulations also permit recreational fishing for all greenlings of the 
genus Hexogrammas shoreward of the 20-fm (37-m) depth contour in the 
CCAs.)
* * * * *
    12. In section IV., under D. Recreational Fishery, paragraph 
(3)(b)(i)(B) is revised and paragraph (3)(b)(i)(B)(1) is corrected to 
read as follows:
* * * * *
    (B) Recreational Rockfish Conservation Areas. The recreational 
Rockfish Conservation Areas, or recreational RCAs, are areas that are 
closed to recreational fishing for groundfish. See also paragraph 
IV.A.(17)(e).
    (1) Between 40[deg]10' N. lat. and 34[deg]27' N. lat., recreational 
fishing for all groundfish, except sanddabs, is prohibited seaward of a 
boundary line approximating the 30-fm (55-m) depth contour along the 
mainland coast and along islands and offshore seamounts during January 
1 through February 29 and September 1 through December 31; is 
prohibited seaward of the 20-fm (37-m) depth contour during May 1 
through August 31; and is closed entirely during March 1 through April 
30 (i.e., prohibited seaward of the shoreline). Coordinates for the 
boundary line approximating the 30-fm (55-m) depth contour are listed 
in section IV.A.(17)(f). Under State law, recreational fishing for 
rockfish, lingcod, and associated species limited to cabezon, 
greenlings of the genus Hexagrammos, California scorpionfish, 
California sheephead, and ocean whitefish are prohibited between the 
shoreline and the 10-fm (18-m) depth contour around the Farallon 
Islands. For a definition of the Farallon Islands, see paragraph 
IV.A.(17)(f). Recreational fishing for certain groundfish species is 
also prohibited in waters of the Cordell Banks, located at 38[deg]02' 
N. lat. and 123[deg]25' W. long., and within a 5 nautical mile radius 
around this point. This portion of the Cordell Banks is closed to 
fishing for rockfish, lingcod, cabezon, kelp greenlings and California 
scorpionfish. (Note: California State regulations also prohibit the 
retention of other greenlings of the genus Hexagrammos, California 
sheephead and ocean whitefish.) For a definition of Cordell Banks, see 
paragraph IV.A.(17)(f).
* * * * *
    13. In section IV., under D. Recreational Fishery, paragraph 
(3)(a)(i)(B) is revised to read as follows:
* * * * *
    (B) Bag limits, boat limits, hook limits. North 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 two hooks and one line when 
fishing for rockfish.
    (1) From January 1 through April 30, the bag limit is 10 rockfish 
per day, of which no more than two may be bocaccio. The following daily 
bag limits also apply: no more than 10 cabezon per day and no more than 
10 kelp greenling and 10 rock greenling 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.
    (2) From May 1 through December 31, the bag limit is 10-RCG Complex 
fish per day (not including canary rockfish, yelloweye rockfish and 
cowcod, which are prohibited), of which up to 10 may be rockfish, no 
more than two of which may be bocaccio. Also within the 10-RCG Complex 
fish per day limit, no more than two fish per day may be greenling 
(kelp and/or other greenlings) and no more than 3 fish per day may be 
cabezon. 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.
* * * * *
    14. In section IV., under D. Recreational Fishery, paragraph 
(3)(a)(ii) is revised to read as follows:
* * * * *
    (ii) Lingcod.
    (A) Seasons. North of 40[deg]10' N. lat., recreational fishing for 
lingcod is open from January 1 through October 31.
    (B) Bag limits, boat limits, hook limits. North of 40[deg]10' N. 
lat., in times and areas when the recreational season for lingcod is 
open, there is a limit of two hooks and one line when fishing for 
lingcod. The bag limit is 2 lingcod per day from January 1 through 
March 31 and 1 lingcod per day from April 1 through October 31. 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 from January 1 through March 31 and no smaller than 30 in (77 
cm) total length from April 1 through October 31.
    (D) Dressing/Filleting. Lingcod fillets may be no smaller than 16 
in (41 cm) in length from January 1 through March 31 and no smaller 
than 21 in (54 cm) from April 1 through October 31 in length.
* * * * *

[[Page 23449]]

    15. In section IV., under D. Recreational Fishery, paragraph 
(3)(b)(ii)(B) is revised to read as follows:
* * * * *
    (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 two hooks and one line when 
fishing for rockfish.
    (1) From January 1 through April 30 when the season for the RCG 
complex is open, the bag limit is 10-RCG Complex fish per day (not 
including canary rockfish, yelloweye rockfish and cowcod, which are 
prohibited), of which up to 10 may be rockfish, no more than 1 of which 
may be bocaccio and 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 fish per day may be greenling (kelp and/or other greenlings) and 
no more than 3 fish 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.
    (2) From May 1 through December 31, the bag limit is 10-RCG Complex 
fish per day (not including canary rockfish, yelloweye rockfish and 
cowcod, which are prohibited), of which up to 10 may be rockfish, no 
more than 1 of which may be bocaccio. Also within the 10-RCG Complex 
fish per day limit, no more than 2 fish per day may be greenling (kelp 
and/or other greenlings) and no more than 3 fish 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.
* * * * *
    16. In section IV., under D. Recreational Fishery, paragraph 
(3)(b)(iv) is corrected to read as follows:
* * * * *
    (iv) Lingcod.
    (A) Seasons. Between 40[deg]10' N. lat. and 34[deg]27' N. lat., 
recreational fishing for lingcod is open from January 1 through 
February 29 and from May 1 through October 31 (i.e., it's closed from 
March 1 through April 30 and from November 1 through December 31). 
South of 34[deg]27' N. lat., recreational fishing for lingcod is open 
from March 1 through October 31 (i.e., it's closed from January 1 
through February 29 and from November 1 through December 31). When 
recreational fishing for lingcod is open, it is permitted only 
shoreward of the recreational RCA, as described in paragraph 
IV.D.(3)(b)(i)(B) above.
    (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 two hooks and one line when fishing for 
lingcod. The bag limit is two lingcod per day from January 1 through 
March 31 and one lingcod per day from April 1 through October 31. 
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. In times and areas when the recreational season 
for lingcod is open, lingcod may be no smaller than 24 in (61 cm) total 
length from January 1 through March 31 and no smaller than 30 in (77 
cm) total length from April 1 through October 31.
    (D) Dressing/Filleting. In times and areas when the recreational 
season for lingcod is open, lingcod fillets may be no smaller than 16 
in (41 cm) in length from January 1 through March 31 and no smaller 
than 21 in (54 cm) from April 1 through October 31 in length.
* * * * *

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, NOAA, 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)(3)(B), 
because providing prior notice and opportunity for comment would be 
impracticable, unnecessary and contrary to the public interest. The 
data upon which these recommendations were based was provided to the 
Pacific Council and the Pacific Council made its recommendations at its 
March 7-12, 2004, meeting in Tacoma, WA. There was not sufficient time 
after that meeting to draft this notice and undergo proposed and final 
rulemaking before these actions need to be in effect as explained 
below. For the actions to be implemented in this notice, prior notice 
and opportunity for comment would be impracticable because affording 
prior notice and opportunity for public comment would take too long, 
thus impeding the Agency's function of managing fisheries to approach 
without exceeding the OYs for federally managed species. The 
adjustments to management measures in this document include changes to 
California's recreational fishery and changes to the commercial trawl 
RCA off California. Changes to California's recreational fishery 
management measures must be implemented in a timely manner to protect 
overfished groundfish species, such as lingcod and canary rockfish, and 
to keep the harvest of other groundfish species, such as minor 
nearshore rockfish, within the harvest levels projected to be taken off 
the State of California in 2004. Changes to California's recreational 
RCG complex bag limits must be in effect by May 1, 2004, to keep 
harvest within the levels projected and to conform Federal and State 
recreational regulations. Changes to California's commercial trawl RCA 
are intended to reduce the take of overfished groundfish species by 
closing Cordell Banks, an area of high catch of canary rockfish and 
other overfished species, to commercial fishing in an effort to keep 
groundfish take within the OYs set for the year. Delaying these changes 
to management measures could lead to early closures of the fishery. 
This would contradict one of the Pacific Coast Groundfish FMP 
objectives of providing for year-round harvest opportunities or 
extending fishing opportunities as long as practicable during the 
fishing year.
    For these reasons, good cause also exists to waive the 30 day delay 
in effectiveness requirement under 5 U.S.C. 553 (d)(3).
    These actions are taken under the authority of 50 CFR 660.323(b)(1) 
and are exempt from review under Executive Order 12866.

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

    Dated: April 22, 2004.
Alan D. Risenhoover,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 04-9649 Filed 4-28-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S