[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 168 (Tuesday, August 30, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 53833-53840]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-22162]


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

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 660

[Docket No. 110721401-1470-01]
RIN 0648-BB31


Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Fisheries Off West Coast States; 
Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery; Amendments 20 and 21; Trawl 
Rationalization Program; Correcting Amendments

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

ACTION: Final rule; correcting amendment.

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

SUMMARY: NMFS announces a correcting amendment to regulations 
implementing the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan 
(PCGFMP). The regulations implementing Amendments 20 and 21 to the 
PCGFMP, which included reorganization of the entire groundfish 
regulations and revision of the trawl related regulations, contained 
inadvertent non-substantive errors that are being corrected by this 
action in order to assure the enforceability of the regulations and 
reduce potential confusion of regulated parties. Amendment 20 
established a trawl rationalization program for the Pacific Coast 
groundfish fishery, which included an individual fishing quota (IFQ) 
program for the shorebased trawl fleet (including whiting and 
nonwhiting sectors); and cooperative (coop) programs for the at-sea 
(whiting only) mothership and catcher/processor trawl fleets. Amendment 
21 established fixed allocations for limited entry trawl participants.

DATES: This action is effective August 30, 2011.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Becky Renko, NMFS, Northwest Region, 
206-526-6110.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Need for Corrections

    On October 1, 2010 (75 FR 60868) and December 15, 2010 (75 FR 
78344) NMFS published final rules to implement Amendments 20 and 21 to 
the PCGFMP. The October 1, 2010, final rule reorganized the Pacific 
Coast groundfish regulations previously at subpart G of part 660 by 
restructuring the regulations in subparts C through G of part 660 and 
adding regulations for establishing a new allocation structure and 
issuance of quota shares for the new trawl rationalization program. The 
second final rule, published on December 15, 2010, implemented the 
management structure for the trawl rationalization program that took 
effect on January 1, 2011. These actions contained numerous inadvertent 
minor errors in regulatory text, including: duplicate paragraphs; cross 
references that refer to incorrect sections and paragraphs; 
inconsistent formatting for cross references; and obsolete regulatory 
text that was not removed. This action corrects these non-substantive 
errors.
    Duplicate paragraphs were identified at Sec.  660.112 (c)(5) and 
(d)(12), Sec.  660.150 (f)(2), and Sec.  660.160 (e)(1). This action 
removes the duplicate regulatory text. Incorrect cross references as 
well as cross reference formatting errors are being corrected by this 
action. Language regarding the use of ``bycatch limits'' in the Pacific 
whiting fishery has been removed as they are no longer in use and have 
been replaced by allocations. Terms that were defined in the 
definitions, but inconsistently used in regulatory text were revised, 
including ``Pacific Fishery Management Council'', ``sablefish primary 
season'' and ``economic data collection.''

Classification

    The Assistant Administrator (AA) finds good cause under 5 U.S.C. 
553(b)(3)(B) to waive prior notice and opportunity for public comment 
because it is unnecessary and contrary

[[Page 53834]]

to the public interest. This document corrects inaccurate cross 
references; removes language regarding referring to ``bycatch limits'' 
in the Pacific whiting fishery at Sec.  660.60 (c) that are no longer 
in use; removes duplicate paragraphs at Sec.  660.112 (c)(5), and 
(d)(12), Sec.  660.150 (f)(2) and Sec.  660.160 (e)(1); and, revises 
the use of the terms ``Pacific Fishery Management Council'', 
``sablefish primary season'' and ``economic data collection'' so they 
are consistently used in regulatory text and are used consistently with 
the defined terms. Providing notice and comment on these changes is 
unnecessary because all are non-substantive and have no effect on the 
public or the operation of the fishery; thus would have no impact on 
regulated parties. Allowing inconsistencies in regulatory text to 
persist would be contrary to the public interest as it could affect the 
enforceability of the regulations. For the same reasons above, the AA 
finds good cause under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3) to waive the 30-day delay in 
effectiveness and makes this rule effective immediately upon 
publication.
    Because notice and opportunity for comment are not required 
pursuant to 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. Therefore, a regulatory flexibility analysis is not 
required and has not been prepared.
    It has been determined that this rule is not significant for 
purposes of Executive Order 12866.

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 660

    Administrative practice and procedure, Fisheries, Fishing, 
Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

    Dated: August 25, 2011.
Samuel D. Rauch III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.

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

PART 660--FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES

0
1. The authority citation for part 660 continues to read as follows:

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


0
2. In Sec.  660.11, revise the definitions for ``B MSY'', 
Catch monitor'', ``Commercial harvest guideline'', ``Open access 
fishery'', ``Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan or 
PCGFMP'', ``Person'', ``Processing or to process'' introductory text 
and ``Processor'' to read as follows:


Sec.  660.11  General definitions.

* * * * *
    B MSY means the biomass level that produces maximum sustainable 
yield (MSY), as stated in the PCGFMP at Section 4.3.
* * * * *
    Catch monitor means an individual that is certified by NMFS, is 
deployed to a first receiver, and whose primary duties include: 
monitoring and verification of the sorting of fish relative to Federal 
requirements defined in Sec.  660.60(h)(6); documentation of the 
weighing of such fish relative to the requirements of Sec.  660.13(b); 
and verification of first receivers' reporting relative to the 
requirements defined in Sec.  660.113(b)(4).
* * * * *
    Commercial harvest guideline means the fishery harvest guideline 
minus the estimated recreational catch. Limited entry and open access 
allocations are derived from the commercial harvest guideline.
* * * * *
    Open access fishery means the fishery composed of commercial 
vessels using open access gear fished pursuant to the harvest 
guidelines, quotas, and other management measures governing the harvest 
of open access allocations (detailed in Sec.  660.55) or governing the 
fishing activities of open access vessels (detailed in subpart F of 
this part). Any commercial vessel that is not registered to a limited 
entry permit and which takes and retains, possesses or lands groundfish 
is a participant in the open access groundfish fishery.
* * * * *
    Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan or PCGFMP means 
the Fishery Management Plan for the Washington, Oregon, and California 
Groundfish Fishery developed by the Council and approved by the 
Secretary on January 4, 1982, and as it may be subsequently amended.
* * * * *
    Person, as it applies to limited entry and open access fisheries 
conducted under, subparts C through F of this part means any 
individual, corporation, partnership, association or other entity 
(whether or not organized or existing under the laws of any state), and 
any Federal, state, or local government, or any entity of any such 
government that is eligible to own a documented vessel under the terms 
of 46 U.S.C. 12102(a).
    Processing or to process means the preparation or packaging of 
groundfish to render it suitable for human consumption, retail sale, 
industrial uses or long-term storage, including, but not limited to, 
cooking, canning, smoking, salting, drying, filleting, freezing, or 
rendering into meal or oil, but does not mean heading and gutting 
unless additional preparation is done. (A vessel that is 75-ft (23-m) 
or less LOA that harvests whiting and, in addition to heading and 
gutting, cuts the tail off and freezes the whiting, is not considered 
to be a catcher/processor nor is it considered to be processing fish 
(See Sec.  660.112(b)(1)(xii)(A))).
    Processor means a person, vessel, or facility that engages in 
commercial processing; or receives live groundfish directly from a 
fishing vessel for retail sale without further processing. (Also see 
the definition for processors at Sec.  660.140, which defines processor 
for the purposes of qualifying for initial issuance of QS in the 
Shorebased IFQ Program.)
    (1) For the purposes of economic data collection or EDC in the 
Shorebased IFQ Program, shorebased processor means a person that 
engages in commercial processing, that is an operation working on U.S. 
soil or permanently fixed to land, that takes delivery of fish that has 
not been subject to at-sea processing or shorebased processing; and 
that thereafter engages that particular fish in shorebased processing; 
and excludes retailers, such as grocery stores and markets, which 
receive whole or headed and gutted fish that are then filleted and 
packaged for retail sale. At Sec.  660.114(b), trawl fishery--economic 
data collection program, the definition of processor is further refined 
to describe which shorebased processors are required to submit their 
economic data collection forms.
    (2) [Reserved]
* * * * *

0
3. In Sec.  660.12, revise paragraphs (a)(8), (e)(7), (f)(5), and 
(f)(9) to read as follows:


Sec.  660.12  General groundfish prohibitions.

* * * * *
    (a) * * *
    (8) Fail to sort, prior to the first weighing after offloading, 
those groundfish species or species groups for which there is a trip 
limit, size limit, scientific sorting designation, quota, harvest 
guideline, ACT, ACL or OY, if the vessel fished or landed in an area 
during a time when such trip limit, size limit, scientific sorting 
designation, quota, harvest guideline, ACT, ACL or OY applied; except 
as specified at Sec.  660.130(d), for vessels participating in the 
Pacific whiting sectors.
* * * * *
    (e) * * *

[[Page 53835]]

    (7) Fail to provide departure or cease fishing reports specified at 
Sec. Sec.  660.113(c), 660.150(c), 660.160(c); Sec.  660.216(c); or 
Sec.  660.316(c).
* * * * *
    (f) * * *
    (5) Receive, purchase, or take custody, control, or possession of a 
delivery without catch monitor coverage when such coverage is required 
under Sec.  660.140(i).
* * * * *
    (9) Fail to meet the catch monitor provider responsibilities 
specified at Sec.  660.17(e).
* * * * *

0
4. In Sec.  660.17, revise paragraphs (b)(3), and (e)(5) to read as 
follows:


Sec.  660.17  Catch monitors and catch monitor providers.

* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (3) Have not been decertified as an observer or catch monitor under 
provisions in Sec. Sec.  660.18(e), and 660.140(h)(6), 660.150(g)(6), 
and 660.160(g)(6).
* * * * *
    (e) * * *
    (5) Respond to industry requests for catch monitors. A catch 
monitor provider must provide a catch monitor for assignment pursuant 
to the terms of the contractual relationship with the first receiver to 
fulfill first receiver requirements for catch monitor coverage under 
Sec.  660.140(i)(1). An alternate catch monitor must be supplied in 
each case where injury or illness prevents the catch monitor from 
performing his or her duties or where the catch monitor resigns prior 
to completion of his or her duties. If the catch monitor provider is 
unable to respond to an industry request for catch monitor coverage 
from a first receiver for whom the provider is in a contractual 
relationship due to the lack of available catch monitors, the provider 
must report it to NMFS at least 4 hours prior to the expected 
assignment time.
* * * * *

0
5. In Sec.  660.18, revise paragraphs (e)(3) to read as follows:


Sec.  660.18  Certification and decertification procedures for catch 
monitors and catch monitor providers.

* * * * *
    (e) * * *
    (3) Issuance of IAD. Upon determination that decertification is 
warranted, the decertification official will issue a written IAD. The 
IAD will identify the specific reasons for the action taken. 
Decertification is effective 30 calendar days after the date on the 
IAD, unless there is an appeal.
* * * * *

0
6. In Sec.  660.25, revise paragraphs (b)(2), (b)(3)(v) and (vi), and 
(b)(4)(iv)(B) to read as follows:


Sec.  660.25  Permits.

* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (2) Mothership (MS) permit. The MS permit conveys a conditional 
privilege for the vessel registered to it, to participate in the MS 
fishery by receiving and processing deliveries of groundfish in the 
Pacific whiting mothership sector. An MS permit is a type of limited 
entry permit. An MS permit does not have any endorsements affixed to 
the permit. The provisions for the MS permit, including eligibility, 
renewal, change of permit ownership, vessel registration, fees, and 
appeals are described at Sec.  660.150 (f).
    (3) * * *
    (v) MS/CV endorsement. An MS/CV endorsement on a trawl limited 
entry permit conveys a conditional privilege that allows a vessel 
registered to it to fish in either the coop or non-coop fishery in the 
MS Coop Program described at Sec.  660.150. The provisions for the MS/
CV-endorsed limited entry permit, including eligibility, renewal, 
change of permit ownership, vessel registration, combinations, 
accumulation limits, fees, and appeals are described at Sec.  
660.150(g).
    (vi) C/P endorsement. A C/P endorsement on a trawl limited entry 
permit conveys a conditional privilege that allows a vessel registered 
to it to fish in the C/P Coop Program described at Sec.  660.160. The 
provisions for the C/P-endorsed limited entry permit, including 
eligibility, renewal, change of permit ownership, vessel registration, 
combinations, fees, and appeals are described at Sec.  660.160(e).
* * * * *
    (4) * * *
    (iv) * * *
    (B) Effective date. The change in ownership of the permit or change 
in the permit holder will be effective on the day the change is 
approved by SFD, unless there is a concurrent change in the vessel 
registered to the permit. Requirements for changing the vessel 
registered to the permit are described at paragraph (b)(4)(v) of this 
section.
* * * * *

0
7. In Sec.  660.55, (b)(4), (f)(2), and (k) are revised to read as 
follows:


Sec.  660.55  Allocations.

* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (4) EFPs are authorized and governed by regulations at Sec. Sec.  
660.60(f) and 600.745.
* * * * *
    (f) * * *
    (2) The commercial harvest guideline for Pacific whiting is 
allocated among three sectors, as follows: 34 percent for the C/P Coop 
Program; 24 percent for the MS Coop Program; and 42 percent for the 
Shore based IFQ Program. No more than 5 percent of the Shore based IFQ 
Program allocation may be taken and retained south of 42[deg] N. lat. 
before the start of the primary Pacific whiting season north of 42[deg] 
N. lat. Specific sector allocations for a given calendar year are found 
in Tables 1a through c and 2a through c of this subpart. Set asides for 
other species for the at-sea whiting fishery for a given calendar year 
are found in Tables 1d and 2d of this subpart.
* * * * *
    (k) Exempted fishing permit set-asides. Annual set-asides for EFPs 
described at Sec. Sec.  660.60(f) and 600.745, will be deducted from 
the ACL or ACT when specified. Set-aside amounts will be adjusted 
through the biennial harvest specifications and management measures 
process.
* * * * *

0
8. In Sec.  660.60, paragraphs (c)(1)(ii) and (iii), and (f)(3) are 
revised to read as follows:


Sec.  660.60  Specifications and management measures.

* * * * *
    (c) * * *
    (1) * * *
    (ii) Differential trip landing limits and frequency limits based on 
gear type, closed seasons, and bycatch limits. Trip landing and 
frequency limits that differ by gear type and closed seasons may be 
imposed or adjusted on a biennial or more frequent basis for the 
purpose of rebuilding and protecting overfished or depleted stocks.
    (iii) Type of limited entry trawl gear on board. Limits on the type 
of limited entry trawl gear on board a vessel may be imposed on a 
biennial or more frequent basis. Requirements and restrictions on 
limited entry trawl gear type are found at Sec.  660.130(b).
* * * * *
    (f) * * *
    (3) U.S. vessels operating under an EFP are subject to restrictions 
in subparts C through G of this part unless otherwise provided in the 
permit.
* * * * *

0
9. In Sec.  660.70, the introductory text and paragraph (p) are revised 
to read as follows:

[[Page 53836]]

Sec.  660.70  Groundfish conservation areas.

    In Sec.  660.11, a groundfish conservation area is defined in part 
as ``a geographic area defined by coordinates expressed in degrees 
latitude and longitude, wherein fishing by a particular gear type or 
types may be prohibited.'' While some groundfish conservation areas may 
be designed with the intent that their shape be determined by ocean 
bottom depth contours, their shapes are defined in regulation by 
latitude/longitude coordinates and are enforced by those coordinates. 
Latitude/longitude coordinates designating the large-scale boundaries 
for rockfish conservation areas are found in Sec. Sec.  660.71 through 
660.74. Fishing activity that is prohibited or permitted within a 
particular groundfish conservation area is detailed at subparts D 
through G of part 660.
* * * * *
    (p) Rockfish Conservation Areas. RCA restrictions are detailed in 
subparts D through G. RCAs may apply to a single gear type or to a 
group of gear types such as ``trawl RCAs'' or ``non-trawl RCAs.'' 
Specific latitude and longitude coordinates for RCA boundaries that 
approximate the depth contours selected for trawl, non-trawl, and 
recreational RCAs are provided in Sec. Sec.  660.71 through 660.74. 
Also provided in Sec. Sec.  660.71 through 660.74, are references to 
islands and rocks that serve as reference points for the RCAs.
    (1) Trawl (Limited Entry and Open Access Nongroundfish Trawl Gears) 
Rockfish Conservation Areas. 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. Boundaries for the 
trawl RCA throughout the year are provided in Table 1 (North) and Table 
1 (South), and may be modified by NMFS inseason pursuant to Sec.  
660.60(c). Trawl RCA boundaries are defined by specific latitude and 
longitude coordinates and are provided in Sec. Sec.  660.71 through 
660.74.
    (2) Non-Trawl (Limited Entry Fixed Gear and Open Access Non-trawl 
Gears) Rockfish Conservation Areas. 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. 
Boundaries for the non-trawl RCA throughout the year are provided in 
Table 2 (North), and Table 2 (South) of subpart E, and Table 3 (North) 
and Table 3 (South) of subpart F and may be modified by NMFS inseason 
pursuant to Sec.  660.60(c). Non-trawl RCA boundaries are defined by 
specific latitude and longitude coordinates and are provided in 
Sec. Sec.  660.71 through 660.74.
    (3) Recreational Rockfish Conservation Areas. Recreational RCAs are 
closed areas intended to protect overfished rockfish species. 
Recreational RCAs may either have boundaries defined by general depth 
contours or boundaries defined by specific latitude and longitude 
coordinates intended to approximate particular depth contours. 
Boundaries for the recreational RCAs throughout the year are provided 
in the text in subpart G under each state (Washington, Oregon and 
California) and may be modified by NMFS inseason pursuant to Sec.  
660.60(c). Recreational RCA boundaries are defined by specific latitude 
and longitude coordinates and are provided in Sec. Sec.  660.71 through 
660.74.

0
10. In Sec.  660.75, the introductory text is revised to read as 
follows:


Sec.  660.75  Essential Fish Habitat (EFH).

    Essential fish habitat (EFH) is defined as those waters and 
substrate necessary to fish for spawning, breeding, feeding or growth 
to maturity (16 U.S.C. 1802 (10)). EFH for Pacific Coast Groundfish 
includes all waters and substrate within areas with a depth less than 
or equal to 3,500 m (1,914 fm) shoreward to the mean higher high water 
level or the upriver extent of saltwater intrusion (defined as upstream 
and landward to where ocean-derived salts measure less than 0.5 parts 
per thousand during the period of average annual low flow). Seamounts 
in depths greater than 3,500 m (1,914 fm) are also included due to 
their ecological importance to groundfish. Geographically, EFH for 
Pacific Coast groundfish includes both a large band of marine waters 
that extends from the Northern edge of the EEZ at the U.S. border with 
Canada to the Southern edge of the EEZ at the U.S. border with Mexico, 
and inland within bays and estuaries. The seaward extent of EFH is 
consistent with the westward edge of the EEZ for areas approximately 
north of Cape Mendocino. Approximately south of Cape Mendocino, the 
3500 m depth contour and EFH is substantially shoreward of the seaward 
boundary of the EEZ. There are also numerous discrete areas seaward of 
the main 3500 m depth contour where the ocean floor rises to depths 
less than 3500 m and therefore are also EFH. The seaward boundary of 
EFH and additional areas of EFH are defined by straight lines 
connecting a series of latitude and longitude coordinates in Sec. Sec.  
660.76 through 660.79.
* * * * *

0
11. In Sec.  660.76, the introductory text is revised to read as 
follows:


Sec.  660.76  EFH Conservation Areas.

    EFH Conservation Areas are designated to minimize to the extent 
practicable adverse effects to EFH caused by fishing (16 U.S.C. 1853 
section 303(a)(7)). The boundaries of areas designated as Groundfish 
EFH Conservation Areas are defined by straight lines connecting a 
series of latitude and longitude coordinates. This section provides 
coordinates outlining the boundaries of the coastwide EFH Conservation 
Area. Section 660.77 provides coordinates outlining the boundaries of 
EFH Conservation Areas that occur wholly off the coast of Washington. 
Section 660.78 provides coordinates outlining the boundaries of EFH 
Conservation Areas that occur wholly off the coast of Oregon. Section 
660.79 provides coordinates outlining the boundaries of EFH 
Conservation Areas that occur wholly off the coast of California. 
Fishing activity that is prohibited or permitted within the EEZ in a 
particular area designated as a groundfish EFH Conservation Area is 
detailed at Sec.  660.11; Sec. Sec.  660.112 and 660.130; Sec. Sec.  
660.212 and 660.230; Sec. Sec.  660.312 and 660.330; and Sec. Sec.  
660.360.
* * * * *

0
12. In Sec.  660.77, the introductory text is revised to read as 
follows:


Sec.  660.77  EFH Conservation Areas off the Coast of Washington.

    Boundary line coordinates for EFH Conservation Areas off Washington 
are provided in this section. Fishing activity that is prohibited or 
permitted within the EEZ in a particular area designated as a 
groundfish EFH Conservation Area is detailed at Sec. Sec.  660.11; 
Sec. Sec.  660.112 and 660.130; Sec. Sec.  660.212 and 660.230; 
Sec. Sec.  660.312 and 660.330; and Sec. Sec.  660.360.
* * * * *

0
13. In Sec.  660.78, the introductory text is revised to read as 
follows:


Sec.  660.78  EFH Conservation Areas off the Coast of Oregon.

    Boundary line coordinates for EFH Conservation Areas off Oregon are 
provided in this section. Fishing activity that is prohibited or 
permitted within the EEZ in a particular area designated as a 
groundfish EFH Conservation Area is detailed at Sec. Sec.  660.11; 
Sec. Sec.  660.112 and 660.130; Sec. Sec.  660.212 and 660.230; 
Sec. Sec.  660.312 and 660.330; and Sec. Sec.  660.360.
* * * * *

[[Page 53837]]


0
14. In Sec.  660.79, the introductory text is revised to read as 
follows:


Sec.  660.79  EFH Conservation Areas off the Coast of California.

    Boundary line coordinates for EFH Conservation Areas off California 
are provided in this section. Fishing activity that is prohibited or 
permitted within the EEZ in a particular area designated as a 
groundfish EFH Conservation Area is detailed at Sec. Sec.  660.11; 
Sec. Sec.  660.112 and 660.130; Sec. Sec.  660.212 and 660.230; 
Sec. Sec.  660.312 and 660.330; and Sec. Sec.  660.360.
* * * * *

0
15. In Sec.  660.112, paragraphs (a)(3)(i), (a)(5)(vi), (c)(1)(ii), and 
(c)(3), are revised and paragraph (c)(5) is removed.
    The revisions read as follows:


Sec.  660.112  Trawl fishery--prohibitions.

* * * * *
    (a) * * *
    (3) * * *
    (i) Fail to comply with all recordkeeping and reporting 
requirements at Sec.  660.13; including failure to submit information, 
submission of inaccurate information, or intentionally submitting false 
information on any report required at Sec.  660.13(d), and Sec.  
660.113.
* * * * *
    (5) * * *
    (vi) Fish with bottom trawl gear (defined at Sec.  660.11), other 
than demersal seine, unless otherwise specified in this section or 
Sec.  660.130, within the EEZ in the following areas (defined at Sec.  
660.79): Eel River Canyon, Blunts Reef, Mendocino Ridge, Delgada 
Canyon, Tolo Bank, Point Arena North, Point Arena South Biogenic Area, 
Cordell Bank/Biogenic Area, Farallon Islands/Fanny Shoal, Half Moon 
Bay, Monterey Bay/Canyon, Point Sur Deep, Big Sur Coast/Port San Luis, 
East San Lucia Bank, Point Conception, Hidden Reef/Kidney Bank (within 
Cowcod Conservation Area West), Catalina Island, Potato Bank (within 
Cowcod Conservation Area West), Cherry Bank (within Cowcod Conservation 
Area West), and Cowcod EFH Conservation Area East.
* * * * *
    (c) * * *
    (1) * * *
    (ii) The fish are processed by a waste-processing vessel according 
to Sec.  660.131(g); or
* * * * *
    (3) Operate as a waste-processing vessel within 48 hours of a 
primary season for Pacific whiting in which that vessel operates as a 
catcher/processor or mothership, according to Sec.  660.131(g).
* * * * *

0
16. In Sec.  660.113, paragraphs (c)(3)(i) introductory text and (ii) 
and (d)(3)(i) introductory text and (ii) are revised to read as 
follows:


Sec.  660.113  Trawl fishery--recordkeeping and reporting.

* * * * *
    (c) * * *
    (3) * * *
    (i) The designated coop manager for the mothership coop must submit 
an annual report to the Council for its November meeting each year. The 
annual coop report will contain information about the current year's 
fishery, including:
* * * * *
    (ii) The annual coop report submitted to the Council must be 
finalized to capture any additional fishing activity that year and 
submitted to NMFS by March 31 of the following year before a coop 
permit is issued for the following year.
* * * * *
    (d) * * *
    (3) * * *
    (i) The designated coop manager for the C/P coop must submit an 
annual report to the Council for its November meeting each year. The 
annual coop report will contain information about the current year's 
fishery, including:
    (ii) The annual coop report submitted to the Council must be 
finalized to capture any additional fishing activity that year and 
submitted to NMFS by March 31 of the following year before a coop 
permit is issued for the following year.
* * * * *

0
17. In Sec.  660.130, (c)(2) introductory text, (c)(2)(i), and 
(e)(5)(ii) are revised to read as follows:


Sec.  660.130  Trawl fishery--management measures.

* * * * *
    (c) * * *
    (2) Fishing with small footrope trawl gear. North of 40[deg]10' N. 
lat., it is unlawful for any vessel using small footrope gear (except 
selective flatfish gear) to fish for groundfish or have small footrope 
trawl gear (except selective flatfish gear) onboard while fishing 
shoreward of the RCA defined at paragraph (e) of this section and at 
Sec. Sec.  660.70 through 660.74. South of 40[deg]10' N. lat., small 
footrope gear is required shoreward of the RCA. Small footrope gear is 
permitted seaward of the RCA coastwide.
    (i) North of 40[deg]10' N. lat., selective flatfish gear is 
required shoreward of the RCA defined at paragraph (e) of this section 
and at Sec. Sec.  660.70, through 660.74. South of 40[deg]10' N. lat., 
selective flatfish gear is permitted, but not required, shoreward of 
the RCA. The use of selective flatfish trawl gear is permitted seaward 
of the RCA coastwide.
* * * * *
    (e) * * *
    (5) * * *
    (ii) EFHCAs for bottom contact gear, which includes bottom trawl 
gear. Fishing with bottom contact gear, including bottom trawl gear is 
prohibited within the following EFHCAs, which are defined by specific 
latitude and longitude coordinates at Sec. Sec.  660.75 through 660.79: 
Thompson Seamount, President Jackson Seamount, Cordell Bank (50 fm (91 
m) isobath), Harris Point, Richardson Rock, Scorpion, Painted Cave, 
Anacapa Island, Carrington Point, Judith Rock, Skunk Point, Footprint, 
Gull Island, South Point, and Santa Barbara. Fishing with bottom 
contact gear is also prohibited within the Davidson Seamount EFH Area, 
which is defined with specific latitude and longitude coordinates at 
Sec.  660.79.

0
18. In Sec.  660.131, paragraphs (c)(4) and (d) are revised as follows:


Sec.  660.131  Pacific whiting fishery management measures.

* * * * *
    (c) * * *
    (4) Pacific whiting bycatch reduction areas (BRAs). Vessels using 
limited entry midwater trawl gear during the primary whiting season may 
be prohibited from fishing shoreward of a boundary line approximating 
the 75-fm (137-m), 100-fm (183-m) or 150-fm (274-m) depth contours. 
Latitude and longitude coordinates for the boundary lines approximating 
the depth contours are provided at Sec. Sec.  660.72 and 660.73. 
Closures may be implemented inseason for a sector(s) through automatic 
action, defined at Sec.  660.60(d), when NMFS projects that a sector 
will exceed an allocation for a non-whiting groundfish species 
specified for that sector before the sector's whiting allocation is 
projected to be reached.
    (d) Eureka area trip limits. Trip landing or frequency limits may 
be established, modified, or removed under Sec.  660.60 or this 
paragraph, specifying the amount of Pacific whiting that may be taken 
and retained, possessed, or landed by a vessel that, at any time during 
a fishing trip, fished in the fishery management area shoreward of the 
100 fathom (183 m) contour (as shown on NOAA Charts 18580, 18600, and 
18620) in the Eureka area (from 43[deg] 00' to 40[deg] 30' N. lat.). 
Unless otherwise specified, no more than

[[Page 53838]]

10,000-lb (4,536 kg) of whiting may be taken and retained, possessed, 
or landed by a vessel that, at any time during a fishing trip, fished 
in the fishery management area shoreward of the 100 fm (183 m) contour 
(as shown on NOAA Charts 18580, 18600, and 18620) in the Eureka 
management area (defined at Sec.  660.11).
* * * * *

0
19. In Sec.  660.140, paragraphs (c)(1) introductory text (h)(3)(i) 
introductory text, (h)(5)(xi)(I)(2), are revised to read as follows:


Sec.  660.140  Shorebased IFQ Program.

* * * * *
    (c) * * *
    (1) IFQ species. IFQ species are those groundfish species and 
Pacific halibut in the exclusive economic zone or adjacent state waters 
off Washington, Oregon and California, under the jurisdiction of the 
Council, for which QS and IBQ are issued. Groupings and area 
subdivisions for IFQ species are those groupings and area subdivisions 
for which ACLs or ACTs are specified in the Tables 1a through 2d, and 
those for which there is an area-specific precautionary harvest policy. 
The lists of individual groundfish species included in the minor shelf 
complex north of 40[deg]10' N. lat., minor shelf complex south of 
40[deg]10' N. lat., minor slope complex north 40[deg]10' N. lat., minor 
slope complex south of 40[deg]10' N. lat., and in the other flatfish 
complex are specified under the definition of ``groundfish'' at Sec.  
660.11. The following are the IFQ species:
* * * * *
    (h) * * *
    (3) * * * *
    (i) Owners of vessels required to carry observers under paragraph 
(h)(1) of this section must arrange for observer services from a 
permitted observer provider, except that:
* * * * *
    (5) * * *
    (xi) * * *
    (I) * * *
    (2) Any information regarding any action prohibited under Sec.  
660.12(e); Sec.  660.112(a)(4); or Sec.  600.725(o), (t) and (u);
* * * * *

0
20. In Sec.  660.150, remove duplicate (f)(2) paragraph marked 
[Reserved]; revise paragraphs (j)(5)(iv)(B)(2), (j)(5)(xi)(A)(5)(ii), 
and (j)(5)(xi)(B)(10)(ii) to read as follows:


Sec.  660.150  Mothership (MS) Coop Program.

* * * * *
    (j) * * *
    (5) * * *
    (iv) * * *
    (B) * * *
    (2) Must have not informed the provider prior to the time of 
embarkation that he or she is experiencing a mental illness or a 
physical ailment or injury developed since submission of the 
physician's statement (required in paragraph (j)(5)(xi)(B)(2) of this 
section) that would prevent him or her from performing his or her 
assigned duties; and,
* * * * *
    (xi) * * *
    (A)* * *
    (5) * * *
    (ii) Any information regarding any action prohibited under Sec.  
660.12(e); Sec.  660.112(a)(4); or Sec.  600.725(o), (t) and (u);
* * * * *
    (B) * * *
    (10) * * *
    (ii) Any information regarding any action prohibited under Sec.  
660.12(e); Sec.  660.112(a)(4); or Sec.  600.725(o), (t) and (u);
* * * * *

0
21. In Sec.  660.160, remove duplicate paragraph (e)(1) and revise 
remainig paragraph (e)(1)to read as follows:


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

* * * * *
    (e) * * *
    (1) General. Any vessel participating in the C/P sector of the non-
tribal primary Pacific whiting fishery during the season described at 
Sec.  660.131(b) of this subpart must be registered to a valid limited 
entry permit with a C/P endorsement. A C/P-endorsed permit is a limited 
entry permit and is subject to the limited entry permit provisions 
given at Sec.  660.25(b).
    (i) Non-severable. A C/P endorsement is not severable from the 
limited entry trawl permit, and therefore, the endorsement may not be 
transferred separately from the limited entry trawl permit.
    (ii) Restriction on C/P vessel operating as a catcher vessel in the 
mothership sector. A vessel registered to a C/P-endorsed permit cannot 
operate as a catcher vessel delivering unprocessed Pacific whiting to a 
mothership processor during the same calendar year it participates in 
the C/P sector.
    (iii) Restriction on C/P vessel operating as mothership. A vessel 
registered to a C/P-endorsed permit cannot operate as a mothership 
during the same calendar year it participates in the C/P sector.
* * * * *

0
22. In Sec.  660.211, remove the definition for ``Sablefish primary 
fishery or sablefish tier limit fishery '' and add a definition for 
``Sablefish primary fishery'' in its place and revise the definition 
for ``Sablefish primary season'' to read as follows:


Sec.  660.211  Fixed gear fishery--definitions.

* * * * *
    Sablefish primary fishery means, for the limited entry fixed gear 
sablefish fishery north of 36[deg] N. lat, the fishery where vessels 
registered to at least one limited entry permit with both a gear 
endorsement for longline or trap (or pot) gear and a sablefish 
endorsement fish up to a specified tier limit and when they are not 
eligible to fish in the DTL fishery.
    Sablefish primary season means, for the limited entry fixed gear 
sablefish fishery north of 36[deg] N. lat, the period when vessels 
registered to at least one limited entry permit with both a gear 
endorsement for longline or trap (or pot) gear and a sablefish 
endorsement, are allowed to fish in the sablefish primary fishery 
described at Sec.  660.231 of this subpart.
* * * * *

0
23. In Sec.  660.212, paragraphs (a)(2), and (d)(1) are revised to read 
as follows:


Sec.  660.212  Fixed gear fishery--prohibitions.

    (a) * * *
    (2) Take, retain, possess, or land more than a single cumulative 
limit of a particular species, per vessel, per applicable cumulative 
limit period, except for sablefish taken in the limited entry, fixed 
gear sablefish primary season from a vessel authorized to fish in that 
season, as described at Sec.  660.231 and except for IFQ species taken 
in the Shorebased IFQ Program from a vessel authorized under gear 
switching provisions as described at Sec.  660.140(k).
* * * * *
    (d) * * *
    (1) Take, retain, possess or land sablefish under the tier limits 
provided for the limited entry, fixed gear sablefish primary season, 
described in Sec.  660.231(b)(3), from a vessel that is not registered 
to a limited entry permit with a sablefish endorsement.
* * * * *

0
24. In Sec.  660.230, paragraphs (a) and (d)(14) are revised to read as 
follows:


Sec.  660.230  Fixed gear fishery-management measures.

    (a) General. Most species taken in limited entry fixed gear 
(longline and pot/trap) fisheries will be managed with cumulative trip 
limits (see trip limits in Tables 2 (North) and 2 (South) of this 
subpart), size limits (see Sec.  660.60(h)(5)), seasons (see trip 
limits in Tables 2

[[Page 53839]]

(North) and 2 (South) of this subpart and sablefish primary season 
details in Sec.  660.231), gear restrictions (see paragraph (b) of this 
section), and closed areas (see paragraph (d) of this section and 
Sec. Sec.  660.70 through 660.79). Cowcod retention is prohibited in 
all fisheries, and groundfish vessels operating south of Point 
Conception must adhere to CCA restrictions (see paragraph (d)(10) of 
this section and Sec.  660.70). Yelloweye rockfish and canary rockfish 
retention is prohibited in the limited entry fixed gear fisheries. 
Regulations governing and tier limits for the limited entry, fixed gear 
sablefish primary season north of 36[deg] N. lat. are found in Sec.  
660.231. Vessels not participating in the sablefish primary season are 
subject to daily or weekly sablefish limits in addition to cumulative 
limits for each cumulative limit period. Only one sablefish landing per 
week may be made in excess of the daily trip limit and, if the vessel 
chooses to make a landing in excess of that daily trip limit, then that 
is the only sablefish landing permitted for that week. The trip limit 
for black rockfish caught with hook-and-line gear also applies, see 
Sec.  660.230(e). The trip limits in Table 2 (North) and Table 2 
(South) of this subpart apply to vessels participating in the limited 
entry groundfish fixed gear fishery and may not be exceeded. Federal 
commercial groundfish regulations are not intended to supersede any 
more restrictive state commercial groundfish regulations relating to 
federally-managed groundfish.
* * * * *
    (d) * * *
    (14) Essential Fish Habitat Conservation Areas (EFHCA). An EFHCA, a 
type of closed area, is a geographic area defined by coordinates 
expressed in degrees of latitude and longitude at Sec. Sec.  660.75 
through 660.79, where specified types of fishing are prohibited in 
accordance with Sec.  660.12. EFHCAs apply to vessels using ``bottom 
contact gear,'' which is defined at Sec.  660.11, to include limited 
entry fixed gear (longline and pot/trap,) among other gear types. 
Fishing with all bottom contact gear, including longline and pot/trap 
gear, is prohibited within the following EFHCAs, which are defined by 
specific latitude and longitude coordinates at Sec. Sec.  660.75 
through 660.79: Thompson Seamount, President Jackson Seamount, Cordell 
Bank (50 fm (91 m) isobath), Harris Point, Richardson Rock, Scorpion, 
Painted Cave, Anacapa Island, Carrington Point, Judith Rock, Skunk 
Point, Footprint, Gull Island, South Point, and Santa Barbara. Fishing 
with bottom contact gear is also prohibited within the Davidson 
Seamount EFH Area, which is defined by specific latitude and longitude 
coordinates at Sec.  660.75.
* * * * *

0
25. In Sec.  660.231, paragraph (b)(1) is revised to read as follows:


Sec.  660.231  Limited entry fixed gear sablefish primary fishery.

* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (1) Season dates. North of 36[deg] N. lat., the sablefish primary 
season for the limited entry, fixed gear, sablefish-endorsed vessels 
begins at 12 noon local time on April 1 and closes at 12 noon local 
time on October 31, or closes for an individual permit holder when that 
permit holder's tier limit has been reached, whichever is earlier, 
unless otherwise announced by the Regional Administrator through the 
routine management measures process described at Sec.  660.60(c).
* * * * *

0
26. In Sec.  660.232, paragraph (a)(1) is revised to read as follows:


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

    (a) * * *
    (1) Before the start of the sablefish primary season, all sablefish 
landings made by a vessel authorized by Sec.  660.231(a) to fish in the 
sablefish primary season will be subject to the restrictions and limits 
of the limited entry daily and/or weekly trip limit (DTL) fishery for 
sablefish specified in this section and which is governed by routine 
management measures imposed under Sec.  660.60(c).
* * * * *

0
27. In Sec.  660.330, paragraphs (a), (d)(11)(i), (d)(11)(ii), 
(d)(12)(iv), (d)(13)(iv)(B), (d)(16)(i)(A), (d)(16)(i)(E), and (e) are 
revised to read as follows:


Sec.  660.330  Open access fishery--management measures.

    (a) General. Groundfish species taken in open access fisheries will 
be managed with cumulative trip limits (see trip limits in Tables 3 
(North) and 3 (South) of this subpart), size limits (see Sec.  
660.60(h)(5)), seasons (see seasons in Tables 3 (North) and 3 (South) 
of this subpart), gear restrictions (see paragraph (b) of this 
section), and closed areas (see paragraph (d) of this section and 
Sec. Sec.  660.70 through 660.79). Unless otherwise specified, a vessel 
operating in the open access fishery is subject to, and must not exceed 
any trip limit, frequency limit, and/or size limit for the open access 
fishery. Cowcod retention is prohibited in all fisheries and groundfish 
vessels operating south of Point Conception must adhere to CCA 
restrictions (see paragraph (d)(11) of this section and Sec.  660.70). 
Retention of yelloweye rockfish and canary rockfish is prohibited in 
all open access fisheries. For information on the open access daily/
weekly trip limit fishery for sablefish, see Sec.  660.332 of this 
subpart and the trip limits in Tables 3 (North) and 3 (South) of this 
subpart. Open access vessels are subject to daily or weekly sablefish 
limits in addition to cumulative limits for each cumulative limit 
period. Only one sablefish landing per week may be made in excess of 
the daily trip limit and, if the vessel chooses to make a landing in 
excess of that daily trip limit, then that is the only sablefish 
landing permitted for that week. The trip limit for black rockfish 
caught with hook-and-line gear also applies, see paragraph (e) of this 
section. Open access vessels that fish with non-groundfish trawl gear 
or in the salmon troll fishery north of 40[deg]10' N. lat. are subject 
the cumulative limits and closed areas (except the pink shrimp fishery 
which is not subject to RCA restrictions) listed in Tables 3 (North) 
and 3 (South) of this subpart. Federal commercial groundfish 
regulations are not intended to supersede any more restrictive state 
commercial groundfish regulations relating to federally managed 
groundfish.
* * * * *
    (d) * * *
    (11) * * *
    (i) Fishing for ``other flatfish'' is permitted within the CCAs 
under the following conditions: when using no more than 12 hooks, 
``Number 2'' or smaller, which measure no more than 11 mm (0.44 inches) 
point to shank, and up to two 1-lb (0.45 kg) weights per line; and 
provided a valid declaration report as required at Sec.  660.13(d), has 
been filed with NMFS OLE.
    (ii) Fishing for rockfish and lingcod is permitted shoreward of the 
20 fm (37 m) depth contour within the CCAs when trip limits authorize 
such fishing, and provided a valid declaration report as required at 
Sec.  660.13(d), has been filed with NMFS OLE.
    (12) * * *
    (iv) Fishing for ``other flatfish'' off California (between 42[deg] 
N. lat. south to the U.S./Mexico border) is permitted within the 
nontrawl RCA with fixed gear only under the following conditions: When 
using no more than 12 hooks, ``Number 2'' or smaller, which measure no 
more than 11 mm (0.44 inches) point to shank, and up to two 1-lb (0.91 
kg) weights per line when trip

[[Page 53840]]

limits authorize such fishing; and provided a valid declaration report 
as required at Sec.  660.13(d), has been filed with NMFS OLE.
    (13) * * *
    (iv) * * *
    (B) When the shoreward line of the trawl RCA is shallower than 100 
fm (183 m), vessels using ridgeback prawn trawl gear south of 
34[deg]27.00' N. lat. may operate out to the 100 fm (183 m) boundary 
line specified at Sec.  660.73, when a valid declaration report as 
required at Sec.  660.13(d), has been filed with NMFS OLE. Groundfish 
caught with ridgeback prawn trawl gear are subject to the limits in 
Table 3 (North) and Table 3 (South) of this subpart.
* * * * *
    (16)
    (i) * * *
    (A) Seaward of a boundary line approximating the 700-fm (1280-m) 
depth contour. Fishing with bottom trawl gear is prohibited in waters 
of depths greater than 700 fm (1280 m) within the EFH, as defined by 
specific latitude and longitude coordinates at Sec.  660.76.
* * * * *
    (E) EFHCAs for bottom contact gear, which includes bottom trawl 
gear. Fishing with bottom contact gear is prohibited within the 
following EFHCAs, which are defined by specific latitude and longitude 
coordinates at Sec. Sec.  660.78 through 660.79: Thompson Seamount, 
President Jackson Seamount, Cordell Bank (50-fm (91-m) isobath), Harris 
Point, Richardson Rock, Scorpion, Painted Cave, Anacapa Island, 
Carrington Point, Judith Rock, Skunk Point, Footprint, Gull Island, 
South Point, and Santa Barbara. Fishing with bottom contact gear is 
also prohibited within the Davidson Seamount EFH Area, which is defined 
by specific latitude and longitude coordinates at Sec.  660.75.
* * * * *
    (e) Black rockfish fishery management. The trip limit for black 
rockfish (Sebastes melanops) for commercial fishing vessels using hook-
and-line gear between the U.S.-Canada border and Cape Alava 
(48[deg]09.50' N. lat.), and between Destruction Island (47[deg]40' N. 
lat.) and Leadbetter Point (46[deg]38.17' N. lat.), is 100-lbs (45 kg) 
or 30 percent, by weight of all fish on board, whichever is greater, 
per vessel per fishing trip. These per trip limits apply to limited 
entry and open access fisheries, in conjunction with the cumulative 
trip limits and other management measures in Sec. Sec.  660.230 and 
660.330. The crossover provisions in Sec.  660.60(h)(7), do not apply 
to the black rockfish per-trip limits.

[FR Doc. 2011-22162 Filed 8-29-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P