[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 178 (Friday, September 13, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 56641-56645]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-22359]



[[Page 56641]]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 660

[Docket No. 130808694-3694-01]
RIN 0648-BD37


Fisheries Off West Coast States; Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery 
Management Plan; Commercial Groundfish Fishery Management Measures; 
Rockfish Conservation Area Boundaries for Vessels Using Bottom Trawl 
Gear

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

ACTION: Proposed rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This proposed action would implement revisions to the 
boundaries of the Rockfish Conservation Area (RCA) that is closed to 
vessels fishing groundfish with bottom trawl gear. This proposed rule 
would affect the limited entry bottom trawl sector managed under the 
Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan (FMP) by liberalizing 
RCA boundaries in order to improve utilization of target species.

DATES: Submit comments on or before October 15, 2013

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on this document, identified by 
NOAA-NMFS-2013-BD37, by any of the following methods:
     Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public 
comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to 
www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2013-0134, click the 
``Comment Now!'' icon, complete the required fields, and enter or 
attach your comments.
     Mail: Submit written comments to William W. Stelle, Jr., 
Regional Administrator, Northwest Region, NMFS, 7600 Sand Point Way 
NE., Seattle, WA 98115-0070; Attn: Colby Brady.
     Fax: 206-526-6736; Attn: Colby Brady.
    Instructions: Comments sent by any other method, to any other 
address or individual, or received after the end of the comment period, 
may not be considered by NMFS. All comments received are a part of the 
public record and will generally be posted for public viewing on 
www.regulations.gov without change. All personal identifying 
information (e.g., name, address, etc.), confidential business 
information, or otherwise sensitive information submitted voluntarily 
by the sender will be publicly accessible. NMFS will accept anonymous 
comments (enter ``N/A'' in the required fields if you wish to remain 
anonymous). Attachments to electronic comments will be accepted in 
Microsoft Word, Excel, or Adobe PDF file formats only.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Colby Brady, 206-526-6117; (fax) 206-
526-6736; [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    Since 2002 NMFS has used large-scale, depth-based closures to 
reduce catch of overfished groundfish, while still allowing the harvest 
of healthy stocks to the extent possible. RCAs are gear specific 
closures, and apply to vessels that take and retain groundfish species. 
NMFS is proposing to change portions of the boundaries defining the RCA 
that is closed to vessels fishing for groundfish with bottom trawl 
gear, or the ``trawl RCA.'' This proposed rule would not change how the 
trawl RCA applies to vessels fishing for groundfish using bottom trawl 
gear. Rather, it would only make changes to the boundaries of the trawl 
RCA.
    Vessels targeting groundfish with bottom trawl gear are 
participants in the shorebased individual fishing quota (IFQ) program, 
which began in 2011 (75 FR 78344, December 15, 2010). Catch of 
groundfish by these vessels is primarily regulated with quota pounds. 
All catch of IFQ species, retained or discarded, must be covered by 
equivalent quota pounds, and participants are subject to a 100 percent 
monitoring requirement that includes at-sea observers and dockside 
catch monitors. Accordingly, fishermen are individually accountable for 
their catch, including any catch of overfished species.
    The currently scheduled trawl RCA boundaries for 2013 and 2014 were 
established through the 2013-2014 harvest specifications and management 
measures in a proposed and final rule, 77 FR 67974, November 14, 2012 
and 78 FR 580, January 3, 2013, respectively. However, RCA boundaries 
are routinely modified inseason in response to new information. Early 
in 2013, industry requested that the Pacific Fishery Management Council 
(Council) and NMFS consider opening some areas that were closed by the 
trawl RCA off Washington, Oregon and northern California (between 
40[deg]10' N. lat. and 48[deg]10' N. lat.).

Increasing Harvest Opportunities in the Shorebased IFQ Program

    The trawl rationalization program, including the shorebased IFQ 
program, was intended to increase net economic benefits, create 
individual economic stability, provide full utilization of the trawl 
sector allocation, consider environmental impacts, and achieve 
individual accountability of catch and bycatch. Since the 
implementation of the program, catch of many overfished species has 
declined and revenues increased in 2011. In 2012 non-whiting revenue 
dropped slightly, most likely due to decreases in sablefish prices. 
However, in the 2012 shorebased IFQ program, catch of several 
marketable target species was well below the available shorebased trawl 
allocation. Over 33 million pounds of flatfish, including Dover sole, 
went unharvested in 2012. Over 5.5 million pounds of Pacific cod and 
lingcod went unharvested in 2012. For rockfish, over 6.7 million pounds 
of minor shelf, minor slope and yellowtail rockfish went unharvested.
    This proposed rule would increase access to fishing grounds in a 
fishery where participants are motivated by IFQ to keep bycatch of 
overfished species low, irrespective of trawl RCA boundaries. The 
proposed changes to the trawl RCA boundaries would continue to refine 
groundfish fishery management measures to enable higher attainment of 
available quota pounds for several valuable species, while still 
protecting overfished species.

Changes to the Trawl Rockfish Conservation Area

Proposed Boundaries

    At its March 7-11, 2013, meeting in Tacoma, Washington and its 
April 6-11, 2013, meeting in Portland, Oregon the Council received 
requests from the Groundfish Advisory Sub-panel (GAP) to open some 
areas that were closed by the trawl RCA in the area north of 40[deg]10' 
N. lat. to increase access to target species such as yellowtail 
rockfish, Dover sole, lingcod and Pacific cod (March 2013, Agenda Item 
H.3.b, Supplemental GAP Report; April 2013, Agenda Item D.8.b, 
Supplemental GAP Report). The Council made an initial recommendation in 
March to open some shoreward areas during March and April (Period 2) of 
2013. However, NMFS recommended that liberalizations to the 2013-2014 
trawl RCA boundaries be implemented through a notice and comment 
rulemaking rather than through a single Federal Register notice. 
Therefore, the Council reconsidered and refined its recommendation for 
changes

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to the trawl RCA at its April 2013 meeting.
    After considering performance of the rationalized fishery in the 
last two years and how the RCA boundaries have varied through time, the 
Council recommended reducing the trawl RCA between 48[deg]10' N. lat. 
and 40[deg]10' N. lat. to the area between the boundary line 
approximating the 100 fathom (fm) (183-m) depth contour and the 
boundary line approximating the 150 fm (274-m) depth contour beginning 
in November 2013 and for all of 2014, or until revised through inseason 
action (Table 1). Initial trawl RCA boundaries for 2015-2016 will 
likely be developed through the 2015-2016 harvest specifications and 
management measures process. The RCA boundary lines approximate depth 
contours and are defined by latitude and longitude coordinates in 
Federal regulations at 50 CFR 660.71-74. Although the lines are 
generalized approximations of depth, the trawl RCA is not defined by 
actual depth contours and could close areas deeper or shallower than 
the actual depths indicated.
    Specifically, this proposed rule would change the trawl RCA 
boundaries that are found in Table 1 (North), subpart D, as follows: 
(1) Between 48[deg]10' N. lat. and 40[deg]10' N. lat., from a shoreward 
boundary line approximating 75 fm (137-m) to a line approximating 100 
fm (183-m) during in periods 1, 2, and 6; (2) between 45[deg]46' N. 
lat. and 40[deg]10' N. lat., from a seaward boundary line approximating 
200 fm (366-m) to a line approximating 150 fm (274-m), during periods 
1-6 (note that the ``modified 200 fm (366-m)'' line, which is a version 
of 200 fm (366-m) line modified to increase access to stocks such as 
petrale sole, is currently in place in periods 1 and 6), and; (3) 
between 48[deg]10' N. lat. and 45[deg]46' N. lat., from a seaward 
boundary line approximating the modified 200 fm (366-m) to a line 
approximating 150 fm (274-m), during period 1.

          Table 1--Proposed Trawl RCA Boundaries Between 48[deg]10' N. Lat. and 40[deg]10' N. Lat., as Recommended by the Council in April 2013
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                                         Jan-Feb             Mar-Apr             May-Jun             Jul-Aug             Sep-Oct            Nov-Dec
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48[deg]10' N. lat.-45[deg]46' N.                                                 100 fm line--150 fm line.
 lat.
45[deg]46' N. lat.-40[deg]10' N.                                                 100 fm line--150 fm line.
 lat.
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    The proposed change to open the area shoreward of the trawl RCA, 
between the 75 fm (137-m) line to the 100 fm (183-m) line, will provide 
additional harvest opportunities closer to shore, which could reduce 
fuel costs incurred from transiting to deeper-water fishing grounds, 
and potentially improve the at-sea safety for groundfish bottom trawl 
vessels and their crews. The shoreward boundary change would also 
provide additional access to lingcod, Pacific cod and yellowtail 
rockfish and would likely have a favorable economic impact to 
groundfish fishing vessels and to businesses and ports where groundfish 
are landed. The proposed change to open areas seaward of the trawl RCA, 
between the 150 fm (274-m) line and the 200 fm (366-m) line, will 
shorten the distance vessels must travel to harvest underutilized slope 
species such as Dover sole, slope rockfish, and other flatfish species 
and should also have beneficial economic effects. Finally, the boundary 
changes could simplify management and enforcement by creating a coast-
wide 100 fm (183-m) to 150 fm (274-m) closure.
    NMFS and the Council assessed the risks of exceeding the trawl 
allocation or the annual catch limit (ACL) for any overfished species 
under the proposed action. Based on an analysis of observed bycatch 
rates (amount of overfished species caught proportionate to the amount 
of target species) from the years 2006-2010, increases in bycatch rates 
for canary rockfish, darkblotched rockfish and Pacific ocean perch 
would be expected when these areas are opened. However, harvest in 2011 
and 2012, the first two years of the shorebased IFQ program, did not 
exceed 50 percent of the trawl allocation for the four overfished 
rockfish species likely to be impacted by this action. In addition, 
based on 2011 observer data documenting the depth, latitude, frequency 
and magnitude of overfished species catch in the first year of the 
shorebased IFQ program, the probability of an extreme catch event, or 
``disaster tow'', i.e. one tow that it would lead to exceeding the IFQ 
program allocation, is relatively low assuming similar fishing behavior 
as during 2011 and 2012. The analysis showed that tows harvesting more 
than 1 percent of the trawl allocation were rare, and none exceeded 2 
percent.
    The combined analysis of pre-IFQ bycatch rates, haul-level IFQ 
observer data, and aggregate IFQ catch data for overfished species 
illustrates that while bycatch or encounter rates are likely to 
increase to some degree with the proposed boundary changes, these moves 
are unlikely to result in increases in catch of rebuilding species to 
such a degree that it would result in the fleet exceeding their annual 
allocations. Harvest of overfished species in the Shorebased IFQ 
Program has been well below the allocations, likely, in part, due to 
individual accountability and incentives to keep harvest of overfished 
species low. Given the low harvest levels of overfished species 
relative to the trawl allocation, even if one or more rare, extremely 
high single catch events were to occur, it is very unlikely that it 
would cause the trawl allocation to be exceeded. Moreover, IFQ catch 
data are available in near real-time and inseason changes to management 
measures could be considered as needed to ensure catch remains below 
the trawl allocation and below the ACLs.
    In addition to the proposed trawl RCA boundaries, NMFS is 
considering alternative boundaries that are somewhat different from 
what the Council recommended in April 2013. The alternative trawl RCA 
boundaries are described below. NMFS intends to take into consideration 
further comments and recommendations from the Council, as well as 
comments from Council advisory bodies, industry and the public prior to 
making a final decision regarding the boundaries for the trawl RCA 
between 48[deg]10' N. lat. and 40[deg]10' N. lat. for 2013-2014.

Alternative Boundaries

    During development of the environmental assessment for this action, 
NMFS explored an alternative set of trawl RCA boundaries. The 
alternative trawl RCA boundaries would be the same as the proposed 
trawl RCA boundaries except that they would keep closed the area 
between the boundary line approximating the 150 fm (274-m) depth 
contour and the boundary line approximating the modified 200 fm (366-m) 
depth contour off Southern Oregon and Northern California; an area that 
has been largely closed since 2004 and that would be opened under the 
initial recommendations of the Council from its April 2013 meeting. 
This

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alternative set of trawl RCA boundaries carries forward the intent of 
the Council to open additional fishing areas, while keeping closed the 
areas that have been essentially closed to groundfish bottom trawling 
since 2004 (with the only exception being an opening for one two-month 
period in 2007 between 45[deg]03' N. lat. and 45[deg]46' N. lat.).
    The alternative trawl RCA boundaries that NMFS is considering and 
is soliciting public comment on would be identical to the proposed 
boundaries between 48[deg]10' N. lat. and 45[deg]46' N. lat. However, 
between 45[deg]46' N. lat. and 40[deg]10' N. lat., the alternative 
would open shoreward areas, the same as the proposed boundaries, but 
would change the seaward boundary to a year-round modified 200 fm (366-
m) line. Relative to current regulations in Table 1 (North), subpart D, 
the alternative RCA boundaries would: Shift the shoreward boundary line 
between 48[deg]10' N. lat. and 40[deg]10' N. lat. from the 75 fm (137-
m) line to the 100 fm (183-m) line during periods 1, 2, and 6; shift 
the seaward boundary line between 48[deg]10' N. lat. and 45[deg]46' N. 
lat. from the modified 200 fm (366-m) line to the 150 fm (274-m) line 
during period 1 (January-February); and shift the seaward boundary line 
between 45[deg]46' N. lat. and 40[deg]10' N. lat. from the 200 fm (366-
m) line to the modified 200 fm (366-m) line during periods 2-5. These 
alternative trawl RCA boundaries were designed to take effect in 
November 2013 and continue until subsequently revised through an 
inseason action. Initial trawl RCA boundaries for 2015-2016 will likely 
be developed through the 2015-2016 harvest specifications and 
management measures process.

                     Table 2--Alternative Trawl RCA Boundaries Between 48[deg]10' N. Lat. and 40[deg]10' N. Lat., Considered by NMFS
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                                         Jan-Feb             Mar-Apr             May-Jun             Jul-Aug             Sep-Oct            Nov-Dec
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48[deg]10' N. lat.-45[deg]46' N.                                                 100 fm line--150 fm line.
 lat.
45[deg]46' N. lat.-40[deg]10' N.                                             100 fm line--modified 200 fm line.
 lat.
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    The alternative trawl RCA boundaries being considered are expected 
to also have a favorable economic impact on groundfish fishing vessels 
and for businesses and ports where groundfish are landed. However, the 
benefits would not be as high, particularly between 45[deg]46' N. lat. 
and 40[deg]10' N. lat., because smaller changes would be made to open 
seaward areas between 45[deg]46' N. lat. and 40[deg]10' N. lat. 
Accordingly, the potential cost and safety benefits and the increased 
access to target stocks on the slope would be somewhat reduced as 
compared to the proposed boundaries.
    The alternative trawl RCA boundaries would open less area seaward 
of the current RCA than the proposed trawl RCA boundaries; therefore, 
any increased impacts to overfished species by opening new fishing 
areas are expected to be lower in frequency and magnitude under the 
alternative trawl RCA boundaries, particularly for slope species, than 
under the proposed action. However, as indicated above, the proposed 
boundaries present little risk with respect to overfished species 
catch.

Impacts to Benthic Habitat

    The Council recommended proposed boundaries and the additional 
alternative being considered would retain all other existing Federal 
areas that restrict or prohibit fishing by various gear types, such as 
the essential fish habitat conservation areas established through 
Amendment 19 to the Groundfish FMP (71 FR 27408, May 11, 2006). In 
addition, the proposed rule would not modify any existing trawl gear 
requirements. Trawl RCAs were established to minimize catch of 
overfished species while still allowing the harvest of target stocks to 
the extent possible. Despite the fact that the trawl RCAs were not 
established to serve as habitat protection, the seaward areas between 
45[deg]46' N. lat. and 40[deg]10' N. lat., between the 150 fm (274-m) 
and modified 200 fm (366-m) line have largely been closed since 2004. 
The environmental assessment for this action indicates that this is the 
only large-scale area that would be opened under the proposed 
boundaries where benthic habitats may have, to some extent, recovered 
from previous groundfish bottom trawling impacts. The draft 
environmental assessment can be found at www.pcouncil.org. Even though 
this area has been closed to groundfish bottom trawling, it is open to 
vessels fishing groundfish and non-groundfish with longline and pot 
gears and to other fishing and non-fishing activities that may impact 
benthic habitat. The Council and NMFS are currently undertaking a 
review of the 2006 groundfish EFH designations. Regardless of the final 
trawl RCA boundary modifications resulting from this proposed rule, the 
Council and NMFS retain the ability to modify existing EFH designations 
and closures as a result of the EFH review should it be deemed 
warranted and practicable.
    The Council will consider the alternative RCA boundaries described 
above at its September 12-17, 2013 meeting in Boise, Idaho 
(www.pcouncil.org). NMFS encourages public participation, both by 
providing comments on this proposed rule through the methods described 
under ADDRESSES, and through participation at the Council's September 
meeting. Specifically, NMFS encourages industry to provide public 
comments regarding the effects that the proposed trawl RCA boundaries 
compared to the alternative trawl RCA boundaries might have on future 
fishing opportunities and business plans. NMFS also encourages the 
general public and non-governmental organizations to provide comments 
regarding the proposed trawl RCA boundaries and the alternative trawl 
RCA boundaries that are described in this proposed rule.

Classification

    Pursuant to section 304(b)(1)(A) of the MSA, the NMFS Assistant 
Administrator has determined that this proposed rule is consistent with 
the Pacific Coast Groundfish FMP, other provisions of the MSA, and 
other applicable law, subject to further consideration after public 
comment.
    A draft Environmental Assessment (EA) was prepared for this action. 
The draft EA includes socio-economic information that was used to 
prepare the RIR and IRFA. A copy of the draft EA is available online at 
www.pcouncil.org.
    A Regulatory Impact Review (RIR) was prepared on the action in its 
entirety and is included as part of the initial regulatory flexibility 
analysis (IRFA) on the proposed regulatory changes. The IRFA and RIR 
describe the impact this proposed rule, if adopted, would have on small 
entities. A description of the action, why it is being considered, and 
the legal basis for this action are contained at the beginning of this 
section in the preamble and in the SUMMARY section of the preamble. A 
copy of the IRFA is available from NMFS (see ADDRESSES) and a summary 
of the IRFA, per the requirements of 5 U.S.C. 603(a), follows:
    This proposed action revises the bimonthly boundaries of the trawl 
RCA.

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This area is currently closed to vessels fishing groundfish with bottom 
trawl gear. This rule affects the limited entry bottom trawl sector 
managed under the Pacific Coast Groundfish FMP. The purpose of these 
regulations is to make short term reductions in the size of the trawl 
RCA beginning in November 2013 and for all of 2014, or until revised 
through inseason action. Initial trawl RCA boundaries for 2015-2016 
will likely be developed through the 2015-2016 harvest specifications 
and management measures process. By reducing the size of the RCA, 
trawlers will have a better chance of harvesting more of their IFQ 
pounds. The Council and NMFS designed the RCA to reduce bycatch of 
overfished species. However, the RCA was established before 
implementation of IFQs. Prior to the IFQ program, the fleet fished 
under fleet wide trip limits, and there were occasional overages in the 
harvests of overfished rockfish. Such overages threatened the entire 
sector. Under IFQs, the catch of bycatch species has decreased 
significantly. Participants now fish within their individual quotas and 
have incentives to reduce bycatch. If they exceed an individual species 
quota, they cannot return to fishing within the year unless they 
purchase quota pounds from other fishermen. Many individual 
participants have formed risk-pools to help minimize the bycatch of 
overfished species or to minimize the chance they will need to shut 
down for the year if they exceed their individual allocations. They are 
sharing real time information on bycatch. The Risk Pool assesses 
penalties on members that violate risk-pool regulations. Therefore, 
there is not as strong a need for a large RCA as a means to reduce 
bycatch. This rule proposes alternatives that decrease the size of the 
RCA because participants have shown, under the IFQ Program, that they 
have reduced their bycatch of overfished species.
    All catch of IFQ species, retained or discarded, must be covered by 
equivalent quota pounds, and participants are subject to a 100 percent 
monitoring requirement that includes at-sea observers and dockside 
catch monitors. Accordingly, fishermen are individually accountable for 
their catch, including any catch of overfished species. Additionally, 
beginning in 2014, quota shares will become transferrable and this 
might promote higher utilization of target species quota pounds.
    Since the implementation of the program, catch of many overfished 
species has declined and revenues increased in 2011. In 2012 non-
whiting revenue dropped slightly, most likely due to decreases in 
sablefish prices. Depending on the target species, the amount of fish 
harvested primarily depends not on available markets but rather on the 
available amount of bycatch species. In the 2012 shorebased IFQ 
program, catch of several marketable target species was well below the 
available shorebased trawl allocation. Over 33 million pounds of 
flatfish, including Dover sole, went unharvested in 2012. Over 5.5 
million pounds of Pacific cod and lingcod went unharvested in 2012. For 
rockfish, over 6.7 million pounds of minor shelf, minor slope and 
yellowtail rockfish went unharvested. Total groundfish landed by bottom 
trawl gear was up slightly in 2012, at 101 percent of 2011 levels (40.9 
million lbs versus 40,6 million lbs, respectively). Aggregate 
attainment (the difference between the total shorebased trawl harvests 
and the shorebased trawl allocation) of all species categories, other 
than Pacific whiting, increased by five percent in 2012, to 29 percent, 
from 24 percent in 2011. Revenue in 2012 maintained 92 percent of 2011 
levels (30.4 million in 2012 versus 32.9 million).
    NMFS considered three alternative trawl RCA boundary 
configurations, as described above: The current trawl RCA boundaries 
for 2013 and 2014 (no action), the Council recommended proposed trawl 
RCA boundaries between 48[deg]10' N. lat. and 40[deg]10' N. lat. 
(Alternative 1, Table 1), and alternative trawl RCA boundaries between 
48[deg]10' N. lat. and 40[deg]10' N. lat. added by NMFS (Alternative 2, 
Table 2).
    The amount of increased catch and reduced costs created by the 
proposed alternative is not known. Given available data and models, 
NMFS cannot qualitatively predict the increased catch and reduced costs 
by the proposed changes, although the qualitiative impacts are clear. 
The regulatory changes associated with Alternative 1 and Alternative 2 
will have positive economic effects as discussed above--reduced fuel, 
improved safety, and increased access to important target species. 
Overall, the most likely potential impacts are higher attainments of 
the trawl allocations than would be expected under the No-Action 
alternative. Alternative 2 is more restrictive compared to Alternative 
1; Alternative 2 opens some areas that have been intermittently closed, 
but not as much new area as Alternative 1.
    This rulemaking directly affects bottom trawlers participating in 
the IFQ fishery. To fish in the IFQ fishery, the vessel must have a 
vessel account. As part of this year's permit application processes for 
the non-tribal fisheries, applicants indicate if they are ''small'' 
business based on a review of the Small Business Administration (SBA) 
size criteria. These criteria have recently changed. On June 20, 2013, 
the SBA issued a final rule revising the small business size standards 
for several industries effective July 22, 2013 (78 FR 37398, June 20, 
2013). The rule increased the size standard for Finfish Fishing from $ 
4.0 to 19.0 million, for Shellfish Fishing from $ 4.0 to 5.0 million, 
and for Other Marine Fishing from $4.0 to 7.0 million (Id. at 37400-
Table 1). Based on the new size standard ($19 million), NMFS reassessed 
those businesses considered large under the old size standard ($4 
million) based on information provided by these companies under the 
NMFS Northwest Fisheries Science Center's Economic Data Collection 
Program. After taking into account NWFSC economic data, NMFS permit and 
ownership information, PacFIN landings data for 2012, and affiliation 
between entities, NMFS estimates that there are 66 entities affected by 
these proposed regulations, of which 56 are ``small'' businesses. NMFS 
believes that this rule will have a positive economic impact on small 
entities and will not have significant adverse economic impacts on a 
substantial number of small entities.
    This proposed rule was developed after meaningful consultation and 
collaboration, through the Council process, with the tribal 
representative on the Council.
    No Federal rules have been identified that duplicate, overlap, or 
conflict with the proposed action. Public comment is hereby solicited, 
identifying such rules. A copy of this analysis is available from NMFS 
(see ADDRESSES).
    This proposed rule has been determined to be not significant for 
purposes of Executive Order 12866.

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 660

    Fisheries, Fishing, and Indian fisheries.

    Dated: September 10, 2013.
Samuel D. Rauch III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, performing the 
functions and duties of the Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.

    For the reasons stated in the preamble, 50 CFR part 660 is proposed 
to be amended as follows:

[[Page 56645]]

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. Table 1 (North) to part 660, subpart D, is revised to read as 
follows:
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP13SE13.003

[FR Doc. 2013-22359 Filed 9-12-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P