[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 212 (Tuesday, November 3, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 67664-67671]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-27995]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 660

[Docket No. 140904754-5188-02]
RIN 0648-BF44


Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Fisheries Off West Coast States; 
Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery; 2015-2016 Biennial Specifications and 
Management Measures; Inseason Adjustments

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

ACTION: Final rule; inseason adjustments to biennial groundfish 
management measures.

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SUMMARY: This final rule announces inseason changes to management 
measures in the Pacific Coast groundfish fisheries. This action, which 
is authorized by the Pacific Coast

[[Page 67665]]

Groundfish Fishery Management Plan (PCGFMP), is intended to allow 
fisheries to access more abundant groundfish stocks while protecting 
overfished and depleted stocks.

DATES: This final rule is effective October 29, 2015.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gretchen Hanshew, phone: 206-526-6147, 
fax: 206-526-6736, or email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Electronic Access

    This rule is accessible via the Internet at the Office of the 
Federal Register Web site at https://www.federalregister.gov. 
Background information and documents are available at the Pacific 
Fishery Management Council's Web site at http://www.pcouncil.org/. 
Copies of the final environmental impact statement (FEIS) for the 
Groundfish Specifications and Management Measures for 2015-2016 and 
Biennial Periods Thereafter are available from Donald McIsaac, 
Executive Director, Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council), 7700 
NE Ambassador Place, Portland, OR 97220, phone: 503-820-2280.

Background

    As part of biennial harvest specifications and management measures, 
annual catch limits (ACLs) are set for non-whiting groundfish species, 
deductions are made ``off-the-top'' from the ACL for various sources of 
mortality (including non-groundfish fisheries that catch groundfish 
incidentally, also called incidental open access fisheries) and the 
remainder, the fishery harvest guideline, is allocated amongst the 
various groundfish fisheries. The limited availability of overfished 
species that can be taken as incidental catch in the Pacific whiting 
fisheries, particularly darkblotched rockfish, Pacific ocean perch, and 
canary rockfish, led NMFS to implement sector-specific allocations for 
these species to the Pacific whiting fisheries. If the sector-specific 
allocation for a non-whiting species is reached, NMFS may close one or 
more of the at-sea sectors automatically, per regulations at Sec.  
660.60(d).
    The Council, in coordination with Pacific Coast Treaty Indian 
Tribes and the States of Washington, Oregon, and California, 
recommended changes to current groundfish management measures at its 
September 9-16, 2015 meeting. The Council recommended taking a portion 
of the darkblotched rockfish initially deducted from the ACL that would 
likely go unharvested in 2015 and making it available to the mothership 
(MS) and catcher/processor (C/P) sectors of the at-sea Pacific whiting 
fishery, with no more than 5 metric tons (mt) to either sector.

Transferring Darkblotched Rockfish to the Mothership and Catcher/
Processor Sectors

    At the September meeting, the MS sector requested an increase to 
their darkblotched rockfish set-aside to accommodate higher than 
anticipated bycatch rates in 2015 to prevent closure of the MS sector 
prior to harvesting their full allocation of Pacific whiting, as 
occurred temporarily in 2014 before darkblotched rockfish was 
distributed to them (79 FR 69060, November 20, 2014). At the start of 
2015, the C/P and MS sectors of the Pacific whiting fishery were 
allocated 9.2 mt and 6.5 mt of darkblotched rockfish, respectively, per 
regulations at Sec.  660.55(c)(1)(i)(A).
    According to the best available fishery information, bycatch rates 
of darkblotched rockfish in the MS sector have been more than double 
the rate seen in 2014 (Agenda Item H.9.b, Public Comment, September 
2015). Additionally, recent 2015 (late-summer and early autumn) bycatch 
rates of darkblotched rockfish in the shoreside Pacific whiting sector 
have been 3.5 times higher than this time last year. This raised 
concerns that when the MS fleet returns in October from fishing in 
Alaska, bycatch rates of darkblotched rockfish would be even higher 
than they were in summer 2015. At the September meeting, best available 
information regarding bycatch rates of darkblotched rockfish in the C/P 
sector indicated that, if those rates continued, the Pacific whiting 
allocation could be achieved prior to harvesting their 2015 
darkblotched rockfish set-aside. However, the Council considered the 
possibility of sudden, unexpected large bycatch events that 
occasionally occur in the MS and C/P sectors, and how one or more of 
those events could dramatically change the bycatch rates of 
darkblotched rockfish, jeopardizing continuation of their seasons and 
achievement of their 2015 Pacific whiting allocations.
    To maintain 2015 harvest opportunities for the MS and C/P sectors 
of the Pacific whiting fishery, the Council considered moving 
darkblotched rockfish quota that would otherwise go unharvested in the 
incidental open access fishery to the MS and C/P sectors. At the start 
of 2015 a total of 20.8 mt of darkblotched rockfish was deducted from 
the ACL, including 18.4 mt of to account for mortality in the 
incidental open access fishery.
    At its September 2015 meeting, the Council considered best 
available information regarding harvest levels of darkblotched rockfish 
in the incidental open access fishery to evaluate whether all 18.4 mt 
would be harvested in 2015, and if any of those fish that would go 
unharvested and could be transferred to the MS and C/P sectors inseason 
to allow for continued fishing opportunities in those sectors. Harvest 
of darkblotched rockfish in the incidental open access fisheries in 
2011-2013 was below 6 mt per year, but the best estimate of mortality 
in 2014 increased to 24 mt. It was hypothesized that the much higher 
bycatch levels in 2014 may be due to a large 2013 darkblotched rockfish 
year class being caught in the pink shrimp trawl fishery. There was 
also anecdotal evidence that the use of light emitting diode (LED) 
lights had become widespread in the 2015 pink shrimp fishery following 
a 2014 research study, which could result in a drastic reduction in 
bycatch of juvenile darkblotched rockfish when LED lights were affixed 
to the shrimp trawl gear.
    Therefore, the Council recommended redistributing 8 mt of 
darkblotched rockfish, from the ``off-the-top'' deductions that were 
made at the start of the 2015-2016 biennium, to the MS and C/P sectors, 
with no more than 5 mt to either sector, to accommodate potential 
bycatch of darkblotched rockfish as each sector prosecutes the 
remainder of their 2015 Pacific whiting allocations.
    The Council's recommendation at the September meeting asked NMFS to 
monitor ongoing MS and C/P fisheries and redistribute darkblotched 
rockfish based on needs of the at-sea whiting fisheries in an effort 
prevent closure of those fisheries prior to achieving their respective 
Pacific whiting allocations. Therefore, this inseason action 
incorporates updated information on ongoing MS and C/P sector fisheries 
and on the best available information on how much darkblotched rockfish 
is anticipated to go unharvested from the off-the-top deductions. 
According to the best information available on September 29, 2015, 
observed darkblotched rockfish bycatch rates in the pink shrimp fishery 
in 2015 were much lower than in 2014, and similar to levels seen in 
2011-2013. NMFS projects that the incidental open access fisheries, 
including the pink shrimp trawl fishery, will harvest 5.7 mt through 
the end of the year out of the 18.4 mt that was anticipated when the 
off-the-top deductions were made.
    The off-the-top deduction is a sum of anticipated impacts from 
scientific

[[Page 67666]]

research activities, EFPs, Tribal fisheries, and incidental open access 
fisheries. Fish moved from the off-the-top deduction from the ACL and 
redistributed to other groundfish fisheries must be fish that would 
otherwise go unharvested through the end of the year. It was not 
quantitatively demonstrated that the 8 mt of darkblotched rockfish that 
the Council recommended redistributing to the MS and C/P sectors would 
otherwise go unharvested. Therefore, NMFS considered the higher than 
anticipated scientific research catch of darkblotched rockfish along 
with the lower than anticipated catch of darkblotched rockfish in the 
incidental open access fisheries in its decision making. When combined 
with the projected impacts from other components of the off-the-top 
deductions, including scientific research, EFPs, and tribal fisheries, 
it is anticipated that approximately 7.4 mt of the 20.8 mt off-the-top 
deduction will go unharvested through the end of 2015 (13.4 mt 
harvested out of 20.8 mt). Given this best available information, 
released after the Council's recommendation was made, NMFS has 
determined that the full 8 mt that was recommended by the Council 
cannot be redistributed.
    Shortly after the conclusion of the September Council meeting, a 
bycatch event of darkblotched rockfish occurred in the C/P sectors, 
increasing the likelihood of early closure of that C/P sector if 
additional darkblotched rockfish were unavailable. Based on this 
information, there is need for additional darkblotched rockfish in both 
the MS and C/P sectors.
    Based on the information presented at the September meeting, the 
Council's recommendation, the best available information on the 
available amount darkblotched rockfish, and the best available 
information on bycatch rates in the MS and C/P fisheries, this rule 
redistributes 7 mt of darkblotched rockfish that is anticipated to go 
unharvested in the incidental open access fisheries through the end of 
2015 to the MS and C/P sectors in equal amounts, 3.5 mt to each sector. 
To buffer against uncertainty in the estimates, 0.4 mt of darkblotched 
rockfish will remain in the ``off-the-top'' deductions. 7 mt of 
darkblotched rockfish will be distributed equally between the MS and C/
P sectors because both fisheries show higher than anticipated bycatch 
rates this year. If those higher rates continue and no additional 
darkblotched rockfish is distributed, both sectors are projected to 
attain their current darkblotched rockfish set-asides of 9.2 mt and 6.5 
mt, respectively, before their Pacific whiting allocations are fully 
harvested.
    This rule partially approves the Council's recommendation to 
provide additional darkblotched that would otherwise go unharvested in 
2015. Increasing the darkblotched rockfish set-asides to 10 mt for the 
MS sector and 12.7 mt for the C/P sector reduces the risk of closure of 
the MS and C/P sectors prior to full attainment of the Pacific whiting 
allocation if higher than anticipated bycatch rates of darkblotched 
rockfish continue late in 2015. Mortality of darkblotched rockfish in 
the 2015 incidental open access fishery has been lower than anticipated 
and the projected mortality indicates it will be within the remaining 
off-the-top deduction after transferring the 7 mt to the MS and C/P 
sectors. Transfer of darkblotched rockfish to the MS and C/P sectors, 
when combined with projected impacts from all other sources, is not 
expected to result in greater impacts to darkblotched rockfish or other 
overfished species than originally projected through the end of the 
year.

Classification

    This final rule makes routine inseason adjustments to groundfish 
fishery management measures, based on the best available information, 
consistent with the PCGFMP and its implementing regulations and the 
Halibut Act and its implementing regulations.
    This action is taken under the authority of 50 CFR 660.60(c) and is 
exempt from review under Executive Order 12866.
    The aggregate data upon which these actions are based are available 
for public inspection at the Office of the Administrator, West Coast 
Region, NMFS, during business hours.
    NMFS finds good cause to waive prior public notice and comment on 
the revisions to groundfish management measures under 5 U.S.C. 553(b) 
because notice and comment would be impracticable and contrary to the 
public interest. Also, for the same reasons, NMFS finds good cause to 
waive the 30-day delay in effectiveness pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3), 
so that this final rule may become effective October 29, 2015.
    At the September 2015 Council meeting, the Council recommended that 
redistribution of darkblotched rockfish to the MS and C/P sectors be 
implemented as quickly as possible once a need for additional 
darkblotched rockfish was identified. Within two weeks of this 
recommendation, a bycatch event of darkblotched rockfish (4 mt) 
occurred in the C/P sectors. There was not sufficient time after the 
September 2015 Council meeting to undergo proposed and final rulemaking 
before this action needs to be in effect. For the actions implemented 
in this final rule, affording the time necessary for prior notice and 
opportunity for public comment would prevent transfer of darkblotched 
rockfish to the MS and C/P sectors until later in the season, or 
potentially eliminate the possibility or doing so during the 2015 
calendar year entirely, and is therefore impractical. Failing to 
reapportion darkblotched rockfish to the MS and C/P sectors in a timely 
manner could result in unnecessary restriction of fisheries if the MS 
or C/P sectors exceeded their darkblotched allocations. Providing the 
MS and C/P sector fishermen an opportunity to harvest their limits of 
Pacific whiting without interruption and without exceeding their 
darkblotched rockfish bycatch limits allows harvest as intended by the 
Council, consistent with the best scientific information available. The 
Pacific whiting fishery contributes a large amount of revenue to the 
coastal communities of Washington and Oregon and this change allows 
continued harvest of Pacific whiting while continuing to prevent ACLs 
of overfished species and the allocations for target species from being 
exceeded. No aspect of this action is controversial, and changes of 
this nature were anticipated in the biennial harvest specifications and 
management measures established for 2015-2016.
    Delaying these changes would also keep management measures in place 
that are not based on the best available information. Such delay would 
impair achievement of the PCGFMP goals and objectives of managing for 
appropriate harvest levels while providing for year-round fishing and 
marketing opportunities.
    Accordingly, for the reasons stated above, NMFS finds good cause to 
waive prior notice and comment and to waive the delay in effectiveness.

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 660

    Fisheries, Fishing, and Indian Fisheries.

    Dated: October 29, 2015.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
    For the reasons set out in the preamble, 50 CFR part 660 is amended 
as follows:

PART 660-FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES

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


[[Page 67667]]


    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. Tables 1a and 1b to Part 660, Subpart C, are revised to read as 
follows:

   Table 1a to Part 660, Subpart C--2015, Specifications of OFL, ABC, ACL, ACT and Fishery Harvest Guidelines
                                            [Weights in metric tons]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                           OFL              ABC             AC La             Fishery HG b
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BOCACCIO S. of 40[deg]10' N. lat c.            1,444            1,380              349  341
CANARY ROCKFISH d..................              733              701              122  107
COWCOD S. of 40[deg]10' N. lat e...               67               60               10  8
DARKBLOTCHED ROCKFISH f............              574              549              338  317
PACIFIC OCEAN PERCH g..............              842              805              158  143
PETRALE SOLE h.....................            2,946            2,816            2,816  2,579
YELLOWEYE ROCKFISH \i\.............               52               43               18  12
Arrowtooth flounder j..............            6,599            5,497            5,497  3,410
Black rockfish (OR-CA) k...........            1,176            1,124            1,000  999
Black rockfish (WA) l..............              421              402              402  388
Cabezon (CA) m.....................              161              154              154  154
Cabezon (OR) n.....................               49               47               47  47
California scorpionfish o..........              119              114              114  112
Chilipepper S. of 40[deg]10' N. lat            1,703            1,628            1,628  1,604
 p.
Dover sole q.......................           66,871           63,929           50,000  48,406
English sole r.....................           10,792            9,853            9,853  9,640
Lingcod N. of 40[deg]10' N. lat s..            3,010            2,830            2,830  2,552
Lingcod S. of 40[deg]10' N. lat t..            1,205            1,004            1,004  995
Longnose skate u...................            2,449            2,341            2,000  1,927
Longspine thornyhead (coastwide) v.            5,007            4,171               NA  NA.
Longspine thornyhead No. of                       NA               NA            3,170  3,124
 34[deg]27' N. lat.
Longspine thornyhead S. of                        NA               NA            1,001  998
 34[deg]27' N. lat.
Pacific Cod w......................            3,200            2,221            1,600  1,091
Pacific whiting x..................          804,576                x                x  266,684
Sablefish (coastwide)..............            7,857            7,173               NA  NA.
Sablefish N. of 36[deg] N. lat y...               NA               NA            4,793  See Table 1c.
Sablefish S. of 36[deg] N. lat z...               NA               NA            1,719  1,714
Shortbelly aa......................            6,950            5,789              500  498
Shortspine thornyhead (coastwide)              3,203            2,668               NA  NA.
 bb.
Shortspine thornyhead N. of                       NA               NA            1,745  1,686
 34[deg]27' N. lat.
Shortspine thornyhead S. of                       NA               NA              923  881
 34[deg]27' N. lat.
Spiny dogfish cc...................            2,523            2,101            2,101  1,763
Splitnose S. of 40[deg]10' N. lat              1,794            1,715            1,715  1,705
 dd.
Starry flounder ee.................            1,841            1,534            1,534  1,524
Widow rockfish ff..................            4,137            3,929            2,000  1,880
Yellowtail N. of 40[deg]10' N. lat             7,218            6,590            6,590  5,560
 gg.
Minor Nearshore Rockfish N. of                    88               77               69  69
 40[deg]10' N. lat hh.
Minor Shelf Rockfish N. of                     2,209            1,944            1,944  1,872
 40[deg]10' N. lat ii.
Minor Slope Rockfish N. of                     1,831            1,693            1,693  1,629
 40[deg]10' N. lat jj.
Minor Nearshore Rockfish S. of                 1,313            1,169            1,114  1,110
 40[deg]10' N. lat kk.
Minor Shelf Rockfish S. of                     1,918            1,625            1,624  1,575
 40[deg]10' N. lat ll.
Minor Slope Rockfish S. of                       813              705              693  673
 40[deg]10' N. lat mm.
Other Flatfish nn..................           11,453            8,749            8,749  8,545
Other Fish oo......................              291              242              242  242
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\a\ Annual catch limits (ACLs), annual catch targets (ACTs) and harvest guidelines (HGs) are specified as total
  catch values.
\b\ Fishery harvest guidelines means the harvest guideline or quota after subtracting Pacific Coast treaty
  Indian tribes allocations and projected catch, projected research catch, deductions for fishing mortality in
  non-groundfish fisheries, and deductions for EFPs from the ACL or ACT.
\c\ Bocaccio. A bocaccio stock assessment update was conducted in 2013 for the bocaccio stock between the U.S.-
  Mexico border and Cape Blanco. The stock is managed with stock-specific harvest specifications south of
  40[deg]10' N. lat. and within the Minor Shelf Rockfish complex north of 40[deg]10' N. lat. A historical catch
  distribution of approximately 6 percent was used to apportion the assessed stock to the area north of
  40[deg]10' N. lat. The bocaccio stock was estimated to be at 31.4 percent of its unfished biomass in 2013. The
  OFL of 1,444 mt is projected in the 2013 stock assessment using an FMSY proxy of F50%. The ABC of 1,380 mt is
  a 4.4 percent reduction from the OFL ([sigma]=0.36/P*=0.45) as it's a category 1 stock. The 349 mt ACL is
  based on the current rebuilding plan with a target year to rebuild of 2022 and an SPR harvest rate of 77.7
  percent. 8.3 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the incidental open access fishery (0.7 mt), EFP catch
  (3.0 mt) and research catch (4.6 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 340.7 mt. The California recreational
  fishery has an HG of 178.8 mt.
\d\ Canary rockfish. A canary rockfish stock assessment update was conducted in 2011 and the stock was estimated
  to be at 23.2 percent of its unfished biomass coastwide in 2011. The coastwide OFL of 733 mt is projected in
  the 2011 rebuilding analysis using an FMSY proxy of F50%. The ABC of 701 mt is a 4.4 percent reduction from
  the OFL ([sigma]=0.36/P*=0.45) as it's a category 1 stock. The ACL of 122 mt is based on the current
  rebuilding plan with a target year to rebuild of 2030 and an SPR harvest rate of 88.7 percent. 15.2 mt is
  deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (7.7 mt), the incidental open access fishery (2 mt),
  EFP catch (1.0 mt) and research catch (4.5 mt) resulting in a fishery HG of 106.8 mt. Recreational HGs are:
  3.4 mt (Washington); 11.7 mt (Oregon); and 24.3 mt (California).

[[Page 67668]]

 
\e\ Cowcod. A stock assessment for the Conception Area was conducted in 2013 and the stock was estimated to be
  at 33.9 percent of its unfished biomass in 2013. The Conception Area OFL of 55.0 mt is projected in the 2013
  rebuilding analysis using an FMSY proxy of F50%. The OFL contribution of 11.6 mt for the unassessed portion of
  the stock in the Monterey area is based on depletion-based stock reduction analysis. The OFLs for the Monterey
  and Conception areas were summed to derive the south of 40[deg]10' N. lat. OFL of 66.6 mt. The ABC for the
  area south of 40[deg]10' N. lat. is 59.9 mt. The assessed portion of the stock in the Conception Area is
  considered category 2, with a Conception area contribution to the ABC of 50.2 mt, which is an 8.7 percent
  reduction from the Conception area OFL ([sigma]=0.72/P*=0.45). The unassessed portion of the stock in the
  Monterey area is considered a category 3 stock, with a contribution to the ABC of 9.7 mt, which is a 16.6
  percent reduction from the Monterey area OFL ([sigma]=1.44/P*=0.45). A single ACL of 10.0 mt is being set for
  both areas combined. The ACL of 10.0 mt is based on the rebuilding plan with a target year to rebuild of 2020
  and an SPR harvest rate of 82.7 percent, which is equivalent to an exploitation rate (catch over age 11+
  biomass) of 0.007. 2.0 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate EFP fishing (less than 0.02 mt) and research
  activity (2.0 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 8.0 mt. Any additional mortality in research activities will
  be deducted from the ACL. A single ACT of 4.0 mt is being set for both areas combined.
\f\ Darkblotched rockfish. A 2013 stock assessment estimated the stock to be at 36 percent of its unfished
  biomass in 2013. The OFL of 574 mt is projected in the 2013 stock assessment using an FMSY proxy of F50%. The
  ABC of 549 mt is a 4.4 percent reduction from the OFL ([sigma]=0.36/P*=0.45) as it's a category 1 stock. The
  ACL of 338 mt is based on the current rebuilding plan with a target year to rebuild of 2025 and an SPR harvest
  rate of 64.9 percent. 20.8 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (0.2 mt), the
  incidental open access fishery (18.4 mt), EFP catch (0.1 mt) and research catch (2.1 mt), resulting in a
  fishery HG of 317.2 mt. Of the 18.4 mt initially deducted from the ACL to account for mortality in the
  incidental open access fishery, a total of 7.0 mt is distributed to the mothership and catcher/processor
  sectors, 3.5 mt to each sector consistent with 660.60(c)(3)(ii), resulting in a 13.8 mt deduction from the
  ACL.
\g\ Pacific Ocean Perch. A POP stock assessment was conducted in 2011 and the stock was estimated to be at 19.1
  percent of its unfished biomass in 2011. The OFL of 842 mt for the area north of 40[deg]10' N. lat. is
  projected in the 2011 rebuilding analysis using an F50% FMSY proxy. The ABC of 805 mt is a 4.4 percent
  reduction from the OFL ([sigma]=0.36/P*=0.45) as it's a category 1 stock. The ACL of 158 mt is based on the
  current rebuilding plan with a target year to rebuild of 2051 and an SPR harvest rate of 86.4 percent. 15 mt
  is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (9.2 mt), the incidental open access fishery (0.6
  mt), and research catch (5.2 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 143.0 mt.
\h\ Petrale sole. A 2013 stock assessment estimated the stock to be at 22.3 percent of its unfished biomass in
  2013. The OFL of 2,946 mt is projected in the 2013 assessment using an F30% FMSY proxy. The ABC of 2,816 mt is
  a 4.4 percent reduction from the OFL ([sigma]=0.36/P*=0.45) as it's a category 1 stock. The ACL is based on
  the 25-5 harvest control rule specified in the current rebuilding plan; since the stock is projected to be
  rebuilt at the start of 2014, the ACL is set equal to the ABC. 236.6 mt is deducted from the ACL to
  accommodate the Tribal fishery (220 mt), the incidental open access fishery (2.4 mt), and research catch (14.2
  mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 2,579.4 mt.
\i\ Yelloweye rockfish. A stock assessment update was conducted in 2011. The stock was estimated to be at 21.4
  percent of its unfished biomass in 2011. The 52 mt coastwide OFL was projected in the 2011 rebuilding analysis
  using an FMSY proxy of F50%. The ABC of 43 mt is a 16.7 percent reduction from the OFL ([sigma]=0.72/P*=0.40)
  as it's a category 2 stock. The 18 mt ACL is based on the current rebuilding plan with a target year to
  rebuild of 2074 and an SPR harvest rate of 76.0 percent. 5.8 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the
  Tribal fishery (2.3 mt), the incidental open access fishery (0.2 mt), EFP catch (0.03 mt) and research catch
  (3.3 mt) resulting in a fishery HG of 12.2 mt. Recreational HGs are: 2.9 mt (Washington); 2.6 mt (Oregon); and
  3.4 mt (California).
\j\ Arrowtooth flounder. The arrowtooth flounder stock was last assessed in 2007 and was estimated to be at 79
  percent of its unfished biomass in 2007. The OFL of 6,599 mt is derived from the 2007 assessment using an F30%
  FMSY proxy. The ABC of 5,497 mt is a 16.7 percent reduction from the OFL ([sigma]=0.72/P*=0.40) as it's a
  category 2 stock. The ACL is set equal to the ABC because the stock is above its target biomass of B25%. 2,087
  mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (2,041 mt), the incidental open access fishery
  (30 mt), and research catch (16.4 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 3,410 mt.
\k\ Black rockfish south (Oregon and California). A stock assessment was conducted for black rockfish south of
  45[deg]46' N. lat. (Cape Falcon, Oregon) to Central California (i.e., the southern-most extent of black
  rockfish, Love et al. 2002) in 2007. The biomass in the south was estimated to be at 70 percent of its
  unfished biomass in 2007. The OFL from the assessed area is derived from the 2007 assessment using an FMSY
  harvest rate proxy of F50% plus 3 percent of the OFL from the stock assessment conducted for black rockfish
  north of 45[deg]46' N. lat., to cover the portion of the stock occurring off Oregon north of Cape Falcon (the
  3% adjustment is based on historical catch distribution). The resulting OFL for the area south of 46[deg]16'
  N. lat. is 1,176 mt. The ABC of 1,124 mt is a 4.4 percent reduction from the OFL ([sigma]=0.36/P*=0.45) as
  it's a category 1 stock. The 2015 ACL is 1,000 mt, which maintains the constant catch strategy designed to
  keep the stock above its target biomass of B40%. 1 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate EFP catch,
  resulting in a fishery HG of 999 mt. The black rockfish ACL, in the area south of 46[deg]16' N. lat. (Columbia
  River), is subdivided with separate HGs for waters off Oregon (579 mt/58 percent) and for waters off
  California (420 mt/42 percent).
\l\ Black rockfish north (Washington). A stock assessment was conducted for black rockfish north of 45[deg]46'
  N. lat. (Cape Falcon, Oregon) in 2007. The biomass in the north was estimated to be at 53 percent of its
  unfished biomass in 2007. The OFL from the assessed area is derived from the 2007 assessment using an FMSY
  harvest rate proxy of F50%. The resulting OFL for the area north of 46[deg]16' N. lat. is 421 mt and is 97
  percent of the OFL from the assessed area based on the area distribution of historical catch. The ABC of 402
  mt for the north is a 4.4 percent reduction from the OFL ([sigma]=0.36/P*=0.45) as it's a category 1 stock.
  The ACL is set equal to the ABC since the stock is above its target biomass of B40%. 14 mt is deducted from
  the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery, resulting in a fishery HG of 388 mt.
\m\ Cabezon (California). A cabezon stock assessment was conducted in 2009. The cabezon spawning biomass in
  waters off California was estimated to be at 48.3 percent of its unfished biomass in 2009. The OFL of 161 mt
  is calculated using an FMSY proxy of F45%. The ABC of 154 mt is based on a 4.4 percent reduction from the OFL
  ([sigma]=0.36/P*=0.45) as it's a category 1 stock. The ACL is set equal to the ABC because the stock is above
  its target biomass of B40%. There are no deductions from the ACL so the fishery HG is equal to the ACL of 154
  mt.
\n\ Cabezon (Oregon). A cabezon stock assessment was conducted in 2009. The cabezon spawning biomass in waters
  off Oregon was estimated to be at 52 percent of its unfished biomass in 2009. The OFL of 49 mt is calculated
  using an FMSY proxy of F45%. The ABC of 47 mt is based on a 4.4 percent reduction from the OFL ([sigma]=0.36/
  P*=0.45) as it's a category 1 species. The ACL is set equal to the ABC because the stock is above its target
  biomass of B40%. There are no deductions from the ACL so the fishery HG is also equal to the ACL of 47 mt.
\o\ California scorpionfish was assessed in 2005 and was estimated to be at 79.8 percent of its unfished biomass
  in 2005. The OFL of 119 mt is projected in the 2005 assessment using an FMSY harvest rate proxy of F50%. The
  ABC of 114 mt is a 4.4 percent reduction from the OFL ([sigma]=0.36/P*=0.45) as it's a category 1 stock. The
  ACL is set equal to the ABC because the stock is above its target biomass of B40%. 2 mt is deducted from the
  ACL to accommodate the incidental open access fishery, resulting in a fishery HG of 112 mt.
\p\ Chilipepper. The coastwide chilipepper stock was assessed in 2007 and estimated to be at 70 percent of its
  unfished biomass in 2006. Chilipepper are managed with stock-specific harvest specifications south of
  40[deg]10 N. lat. and within the Minor Shelf Rockfish complex north of 40[deg]10' N. lat. Projected OFLs are
  stratified north and south of 40[deg]10' N. lat. based on the average 1998-2008 assessed area catch, which is
  93 percent for the area south of 40[deg]10' N. lat. and 7 percent for the area north of 40[deg]10' N. lat. The
  OFL of 1,703 mt for the area south of 40[deg]10' N. lat. is projected in the 2007 assessment using an FMSY
  proxy of F50%. The ABC of 1,628 mt is a 4.4 percent reduction from the OFL ([sigma]=0.36/P*=0.45) as it's a
  category 1 stock. The ACL is set equal to the ABC because the stock is above its target biomass of B40%. 24 mt
  is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the incidental open access fishery (5 mt), EFP fishing (10 mt), and
  research catch (9 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 1,604 mt.
\q\ Dover sole. A 2011 Dover sole assessment estimated the stock to be at 83.7 percent of its unfished biomass
  in 2011. The OFL of 66,871 mt is projected in the 2011 stock assessment using an FMSY proxy of F30%. The ABC
  of 63,929 mt is a 4.4 percent reduction from the OFL ([sigma]=0.36/P*=0.45) as it's a category 1 stock. The
  ACL could be set equal to the ABC because the stock is above its target biomass of B25%. However, the ACL of
  50,000 mt is set at a level below the ABC and higher than the maximum historical landed catch. 1,594 mt is
  deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (1,497 mt), the incidental open access fishery (55
  mt), and research catch (41.9 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 48,406 mt.

[[Page 67669]]

 
\r\ English sole. A 2013 stock assessment was conducted, which estimated the stock to be at 88 percent of its
  unfished biomass in 2013. The OFL of 10,792 mt is projected in the 2013 assessment using an FMSY proxy of
  F30%. The ABC of 9,853 mt is an 8.7 percent reduction from the OFL ([sigma]=0.72/P*=0.45) as it is a category
  2 stock. The ACL is set equal to the ABC because the stock is above its target biomass of B25%. 213 mt is
  deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (200 mt), the incidental open access fishery (7 mt)
  and research catch (5.8 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 9,640 mt.
\s\ Lingcod north. A lingcod stock assessment was conducted in 2009. The lingcod spawning biomass off Washington
  and Oregon was estimated to be at 62 percent of its unfished biomass in 2009. The OFL for Washington and
  Oregon of 1,898 mt is calculated using an FMSY proxy of F45%. The OFL is re-apportioned by adding 48% of the
  OFL from California, resulting in an OFL of 3,010 mt for the area north of 40[deg]10' N. lat. The ABC of 2,830
  mt is based on a 4.4 percent reduction from the OFL ([sigma]=0.36/P*=0.45) for the area north of 42[deg] N.
  lat. as it's a category 1 stock, and an 8.7 percent reduction from the OFL ([sigma]=0.72/P*=0.45) for the area
  between 42[deg] N. lat. and 40[deg]10' N. lat. as it's a category 2 stock. The ACL is set equal to the ABC.
  278 mt is deducted from the ACL for the Tribal fishery (250 mt), the incidental open access fishery (16 mt),
  EFP catch (0.5 mt) and research catch (11.7 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 2,552 mt.
\t\ Lingcod south. A lingcod stock assessment was conducted in 2009. The lingcod spawning biomass off California
  was estimated to be at 74 percent of its unfished biomass in 2009. The OFL for California of 2,317 mt is
  projected in the assessment using an FMSY proxy of F45%. The OFL is re-apportioned by subtracting 48% of the
  OFL, resulting in an OFL of 1,205 mt for the area south of 40[deg]10' N. lat. The ABC of 1,004 mt is based on
  a 16.7 percent reduction from the OFL ([sigma]=0.72/P*=0.40) as it's a category 2 stock. The ACL is set equal
  to the ABC since the stock is above its target biomass of B40%. 9 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate
  the incidental open access fishery (7 mt), EFP fishing (1 mt), and research catch (1.1 mt), resulting in a
  fishery HG of 995 mt.
\u\ Longnose skate. A stock assessment was conducted in 2007 and the stock was estimated to be at 66 percent of
  its unfished biomass. The OFL of 2,449 mt is derived from the 2007 stock assessment using an FMSY proxy of
  F50%. The ABC of 2,341 mt is a 4.4 percent reduction from the OFL ([sigma]=0.36/P*=0.45) as it's a category 1
  stock. The ACL of 2,000 mt is a fixed harvest level that provides greater access to the stock and is less than
  the ABC. 73 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (56 mt), incidental open access
  fishery (3.8 mt), and research catch (13.2 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 1,927 mt.
\v\ Longspine thornyhead. A 2013 longspine thornyhead coastwide stock assessment estimated the stock to be at 75
  percent of its unfished biomass in 2013. A coastwide OFL of 5,007 mt is projected in the 2013 stock assessment
  using an F50% FMSY proxy. The ABC of 4,171 mt is a 16.7 percent reduction from the OFL ([sigma]=0.72/P*=0.40)
  as it's a category 2 stock. For the portion of the stock that is north of 34[deg]27' N. lat., the ACL is 3,170
  mt, and is 76 percent of the coastwide ABC based on the average swept-area biomass estimates (2003-2012) from
  the NMFS NWFSC trawl survey. 47 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (30 mt), the
  incidental open access fishery (3 mt), and research catch (13.5 mt) resulting in a fishery HG of 3,124 mt. For
  that portion of the stock south of 34[deg]27' N. lat. the ACL is 1,001 mt and is 24 percent of the coastwide
  ABC based on the average swept-area biomass estimates (2003-2012) from the NMFS NWFSC trawl survey. 3 mt is
  deducted from the ACL to accommodate the incidental open access fishery (2 mt), and research catch (1 mt)
  resulting in a fishery HG of 998 mt.
\w\ Pacific cod. The 3,200 mt OFL is based on the maximum level of historic landings. The ABC of 2,221 mt is a
  30.6 percent reduction from the OFL ([sigma]=1.44/P*=0.40) as it's a category 3 stock. The 1,600 mt ACL is the
  OFL reduced by 50 percent as a precautionary adjustment. 509 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the
  Tribal fishery (500 mt), research catch (7 mt), and the incidental open access fishery (2.0 mt), resulting in
  a fishery HG of 1,091 mt.
\x\ Pacific whiting. The coastwide stock assessment was conducted in 2015 and estimated the stock to be at 74
  percent of its unfished biomass. The 2015 OFL of 804,576 mt is based on the 2015 assessment with an F40% FMSY
  proxy. The 2015 coastwide, unadjusted Total Allowable Catch (TAC) of 383,365 mt is based on the 2015 stock
  assessment. Consistent with the provisions of the Pacific Hake/Whiting Agreement, up to 15 percent of each
  party's unadjusted 2014 TAC (41,842 mt for the U.S. and 14,793 mt for Canada) is added to the 2015 unadjusted
  TAC, resulting in an adjusted coastwide 2015 TAC of 440,000 mt. The U.S. TAC is 73.88 percent of the coastwide
  TAC. The U.S. adjusted 2015 TAC is 325,072 mt. From the adjusted U.S. TAC, 56,888 mt is deducted to
  accommodate the Tribal fishery, and 1,500 mt is deducted to accommodate research and bycatch in other
  fisheries, resulting in a fishery HG of 266,684 mt. The TAC for Pacific whiting is established under the
  provisions of the Pacific Hake/Whiting Agreement with Canada and the Pacific Whiting Act of 2006, 16 U.S.C.
  7001-2010, and the international exception applies. Therefore, no ABC or ACL values are provided for Pacific
  whiting.
\y\ Sablefish north. A coastwide sablefish stock assessment was conducted in 2011. The coastwide sablefish
  biomass was estimated to be at 33 percent of its unfished biomass in 2011. The coastwide OFL of 7,857 mt is
  projected in the 2011 stock assessment using an FMSY proxy of F45%. The ABC of 7,173 mt is an 8.7 percent
  reduction from the OFL ([sigma]=0.36/P*=0.40). The 40-10 adjustment is applied to the ABC to derive a
  coastwide ACL value because the stock is in the precautionary zone. This coastwide ACL value is not specified
  in regulations. The coastwide ACL value is apportioned north and south of 36[deg] N. lat., using the 2003-2010
  average estimated swept area biomass from the NMFS NWFSC trawl survey, with 73.6 percent apportioned north of
  36[deg] N. lat. and 26.4 percent apportioned south of 36[deg] N. lat. The northern ACL is 4,793 mt and is
  reduced by 479 mt for the tribal allocation (10 percent of the ACL north of 36[deg] N. lat.). The 479 mt
  Tribal allocation is reduced by 1.6 percent to account for discard mortality. Detailed sablefish allocations
  are shown in Table 1c.
\z\ Sablefish south. The ACL for the area south of 36[deg] N. lat. is 1,719 mt (26.4 percent of the calculated
  coastwide ACL value). 5 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the incidental open access fishery (2 mt)
  and research catch (3 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 1,714 mt.
\aa\ Shortbelly rockfish. A non-quantitative shortbelly rockfish assessment was conducted in 2007. The spawning
  stock biomass of shortbelly rockfish was estimated to be 67 percent of its unfished biomass in 2005. The OFL
  of 6,950 mt is based on the estimated MSY in the 2007 stock assessment. The ABC of 5,789 mt is a 16.7 percent
  reduction of the OFL ([sigma]=0.72/P*=0.40) as it's a category 2 stock. The 500 mt ACL is set to accommodate
  incidental catch when fishing for co-occurring healthy stocks and in recognition of the stock's importance as
  a forage species in the California Current ecosystem. 2 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate research
  catch, resulting in a fishery HG of 498 mt.
\bb\ Shortspine thornyhead. A 2013 coastwide shortspine thornyhead stock assessment estimated the stock to be at
  74.2 percent of its unfished biomass in 2013. A coastwide OFL of 3,203 mt is projected in the 2013 stock
  assessment using an F50% FMSY proxy. The coastwide ABC of 2,668 mt is a 16.7 percent reduction from the OFL
  ([sigma]=0.72/P*=0.40) as it's a category 2 stock. For the portion of the stock that is north of 34[deg]27' N.
  lat., the ACL is 1,745 mt. The northern ACL is 65.4 percent of the coastwide ABC based on the average swept-
  area biomass estimates (2003-2012) from the NMFS NWFSC trawl survey. 59 mt is deducted from the ACL to
  accommodate the Tribal fishery (50 mt), the incidental open access fishery (2 mt), and research catch (7 mt)
  resulting in a fishery HG of 1,686 mt for the area north of 34[deg]27' N. lat. For that portion of the stock
  south of 34[deg]27' N. lat. the ACL is 923 mt. The southern ACL is 35.6 percent of the coastwide ABC based on
  the average swept-area biomass estimates (2003-2012) from the NMFS NWFSC trawl survey. 42 mt is deducted from
  the ACL to accommodate the incidental open access fishery (41 mt) and research catch (1 mt), resulting in a
  fishery HG of 881 mt for the area south of 34[deg]27' N. lat.
\cc\ Spiny dogfish. A coastwide spiny dogfish stock assessment was conducted in 2011. The coastwide spiny
  dogfish biomass was estimated to be at 63 percent of its unfished biomass in 2011. The coastwide OFL of 2,523
  mt is derived from the 2011 assessment using an FMSY proxy of F50%. The coastwide ABC of 2,101 mt is a 16.7
  percent reduction from the OFL ([sigma]=0.72/P*=0.40) as it's a category 2 stock. The ACL is set equal to the
  ABC because the stock is above its target biomass of B40%. 338 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the
  Tribal fishery (275 mt), the incidental open access fishery (49.5 mt), EFP catch (1 mt), and research catch
  (12.5 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 1,763 mt.
\dd\ Splitnose rockfish. A splitnose rockfish coastwide assessment was conducted in 2009 that estimated the
  stock to be at 66 percent of its unfished biomass in 2009. Splitnose rockfish in the north is managed in the
  Minor Slope Rockfish complex and with species-specific harvest specifications south of 40[deg]10' N. lat. The
  coastwide OFL is projected in the 2009 assessment using an FMSY proxy of F50%. The coastwide OFL is
  apportioned north and south of 40[deg]10' N. lat. based on the average 1916-2008 assessed area catch resulting
  in 64.2 percent of the coastwide OFL apportioned south of 40[deg]10' N. lat., and 35.8 percent apportioned for
  the contribution of splitnose rockfish to the northern Minor Slope Rockfish complex. The southern OFL of 1,794
  mt results from the apportionment described above. The southern ABC of 1,715 mt is a 4.4 percent reduction
  from the southern OFL ([sigma]=0.36/P*=0.45) as it's a category 1 stock. The ACL is set equal to the ABC
  because the stock is estimated to be above its target biomass of B40%. 10.5 mt is deducted from the ACL to
  accommodate research catch (9 mt) and EFP catch (1.5 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 1,705 mt.

[[Page 67670]]

 
\ee\ Starry Flounder. The stock was assessed in 2005 and was estimated to be above 40 percent of its unfished
  biomass in 2005 (44 percent in Washington and Oregon, and 62 percent in California). The coastwide OFL of
  1,841 mt is derived from the 2005 assessment using an FMSY proxy of F30%. The ABC of 1,534 mt is a 16.7
  percent reduction from the OFL ([sigma]=0.72/P*=0.40) as it's a category 2 stock. The ACL is set equal to the
  ABC because the stock is estimated to be above its target biomass of B25%. 10.3 mt is deducted from the ACL to
  accommodate the Tribal fishery (2 mt), and the incidental open access fishery (8.3 mt), resulting in a fishery
  HG of 1,524 mt.
\ff\ Widow rockfish. The widow rockfish stock was assessed in 2011 and was estimated to be at 51.1 percent of
  its unfished biomass in 2011. The OFL of 4,137 mt is projected in the 2011 stock assessment using an F50% FMSY
  proxy. The ABC of 3,929 mt is a 5 percent reduction from the OFL ([sigma]=0.41/P*=0.45). A unique sigma of
  0.41 was calculated for widow rockfish since the variance in estimated biomass was greater than the 0.36 used
  as a proxy for other category 1 stocks. The ACL could be set equal to the ABC because the stock is above its
  target biomass of B40%. However, the ACL of 2,000 mt is less than the ABC due to high uncertainty in estimated
  biomass, yet this level of allowable harvest will allow access to healthy co-occurring species, such as
  yellowtail rockfish. 120.2 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (100 mt), the
  incidental open access fishery (3.3 mt), EFP catch (9 mt), and research catch (7.9 mt), resulting in a fishery
  HG of 1,880 mt.
\gg\ Yellowtail rockfish. A 2013 yellowtail rockfish stock assessment was conducted for the portion of the
  population north of 40[deg]10' N. lat. The estimated stock depletion is 69 percent of its unfished biomass in
  2013. The OFL of 7,218 mt is projected in the 2013 stock assessment using an FMSY proxy of F50%. The ABC of
  6,590 mt is an 8.7 percent reduction from the OFL ([sigma]=0.72/P*=0.45) as it is a category 2 stock. The ACL
  is set equal to the ABC because the stock is above its target biomass of B40%. 1,029.6 mt is deducted from the
  ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (1,000 mt), the incidental open access fishery (3 mt), EFP catch (10
  mt), and research catch (16.6 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 5,560 mt.
\hh\ Minor Nearshore Rockfish north. The OFL for Minor Nearshore Rockfish north of 40[deg]10' N. lat. of 88 mt
  is the sum of the OFL contributions for the component species managed in the complex. The ABCs for the minor
  rockfish complexes are based on a sigma value of 0.72 for category 2 stocks (i.e., blue rockfish in
  California, brown rockfish, China rockfish, and copper rockfish) and a sigma value of 1.44 for category 3
  stocks (all others) with a P* of 0.45. The resulting ABC of 77 mt is the summed contribution of the ABCs for
  the component species. The ACL of 69 mt is the sum of contributing ABCs of healthy assessed stocks and
  unassessed stocks plus the ACL contributions for blue rockfish in California and China rockfish where the 40-
  10 adjustment was applied to the ABC contributions for these two stocks, because those stocks are in the
  precautionary zone. No deductions are made to the ACL, thus the fishery HG is equal to the ACL, which is 69
  mt. Between 40[deg]10' N. lat. and 42[deg] N. lat. the Minor Nearshore Rockfish complex north has a harvest
  guideline of 23.7 mt. Blue rockfish south of 42[deg] N. lat. has a species-specific HG, described in footnote
  kk/.
\ii\ Minor Shelf Rockfish north. The OFL for Minor Shelf Rockfish north of 40[deg]10' N. lat. of 2,209 mt is the
  sum of the OFL contributions for the component species within the complex. The ABCs for the minor rockfish
  complexes are based on a sigma value of 0.72 for category 2 stocks (i.e., greenspotted rockfish between
  40[deg]10' and 42[deg] N. lat. and greenstriped rockfish) and a sigma value of 1.44 for category 3 stocks (all
  others) with a P* of 0.45. The resulting ABC of 1,944 mt is the summed contribution of the ABCs for the
  component species. The ACL of 1,944 mt is the sum of contributing ABCs of healthy assessed stocks and
  unassessed stocks, plus the ACL contribution of greenspotted rockfish in California where the 40-10 adjustment
  was applied to the ABC contribution because the stock is in the precautionary zone (the ACL is slightly less
  than the ABC but rounds to the ABC value). 72 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery
  (30 mt), the incidental open access fishery (26 mt), EFP catch (3 mt), and research catch (13.4 mt), resulting
  in a fishery HG of 1,872 mt.
\jj\ Minor Slope Rockfish north. The OFL for Minor Slope Rockfish north of 40[deg]10' N. lat. of 1,831 mt is the
  sum of the OFL contributions for the component species within the complex. The ABCs for the Minor Slope
  Rockfish complexes are based on a sigma value of 0.39 for aurora rockfish, a sigma value of 0.36 for other
  category 1 stocks (i.e., splitnose rockfish), a sigma value of 0.72 for category 2 stocks (i.e., rougheye
  rockfish, blackspotted rockfish and sharpchin rockfish), and a sigma value of 1.44 for category 3 stocks (all
  others) with a P* of 0.45. A unique sigma of 0.39 was calculated for aurora rockfish since the variance in
  estimated spawning biomass was greater than the 0.36 used as a proxy for other category 1 stocks. The
  resulting ABC of 1,693 mt is the summed contribution of the ABCs for the component species. The ACL is set
  equal to the ABC because all the assessed component stocks are above the target biomass of B40%. 64 mt is
  deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (36 mt), the incidental open access fishery (19 mt),
  EFP catch (1 mt), and research catch (8.1 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 1,629 mt.
\kk\ Minor Nearshore Rockfish south. The OFL for the Minor Nearshore Rockfish complex south of 40[deg]10' N.
  lat. of 1,313 mt is the sum of the OFL contributions for the component species within the complex. The ABC for
  the southern Minor Nearshore Rockfish complex is based on a sigma value of 0.36 for category 1 stocks (i.e.,
  gopher rockfish north of 34[deg]27' N. lat.), a sigma value of 0.72 for category 2 stocks (i.e., blue rockfish
  north of 34[deg]27' N. lat., brown rockfish, China rockfish, and copper rockfish), and a sigma value of 1.44
  for category 3 stocks (all others) with a P* of 0.45. The resulting ABC of 1,169 mt is the summed contribution
  of the ABCs for the component species. The ACL of 1,114 mt is the sum of contributing ABCs of healthy assessed
  stocks and unassessed stocks, plus the ACL contribution for blue rockfish north of 34[deg]27' N. lat. where
  the 40-10 adjustment was applied to the ABC contribution for this stock because it is in the precautionary
  zone. 4 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the incidental open access fishery (1.4 mt) and research
  catch (2.6 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 1,110 mt. Blue rockfish south of 42[deg] N. lat. has a species-
  specific HG set equal to the 40-10-adjusted ACL for the portion of the stock north of 34[deg]27' N lat. (133.6
  mt) plus the ABC contribution for the unassessed portion of the stock south of 34[deg]27' N lat. (60.8 mt).
  The California (i.e., south of 42[deg] N. lat.) blue rockfish HG is 194.4 mt.
\ll\ Minor Shelf Rockfish south. The OFL for the Minor Shelf Rockfish complex south of 40[deg]10' N. lat. of
  1,918 mt is the sum of the OFL contributions for the component species within the complex. The ABCs for the
  southern Minor Shelf Rockfish complex is based on a sigma value of 0.72 for category 2 stocks (i.e.,
  greenspotted and greenstriped rockfish) and a sigma value of 1.44 for category 3 stocks (all others) with a P*
  of 0.45. The resulting ABC of 1,625 mt is the summed contribution of the ABCs for the component species. The
  ACL of 1,624 mt is the sum of contributing ABCs of healthy assessed stocks and unassessed stocks, plus the ACL
  contribution of greenspotted rockfish in California where the 40-10 adjustment was applied to the ABC
  contribution for this stock because it is in the precautionary zone. 49 mt is deducted from the ACL to
  accommodate the incidental open access fishery (9 mt), EFP catch (30 mt), and research catch (9.6 mt),
  resulting in a fishery HG of 1,575 mt.
\mm\ Minor Slope Rockfish south. The OFL for the Minor Slope Rockfish complex south of 40[deg]10' N. lat. of 813
  mt is the sum of the OFL contributions for the component species within the complex. The ABC for the southern
  Minor Slope Rockfish complex is based on a sigma value of 0.39 for aurora rockfish, a sigma value of 0.72 for
  category 2 stocks (i.e., blackgill rockfish, rougheye rockfish, blackspotted rockfish, and sharpchin
  rockfish), and a sigma value of 1.44 for category 3 stocks (all others) with a P* of 0.45. A unique sigma of
  0.39 was calculated for aurora rockfish since the variance in estimated biomass was greater than the 0.36 used
  as a proxy for other category 1 stocks. The resulting ABC of 705 mt is the summed contribution of the ABCs for
  the component species. The ACL of 693 mt is the sum of contributing ABCs of healthy assessed stocks and
  unassessed stocks, plus the ACL contribution of blackgill rockfish where the 40-10 adjustment was applied to
  the ABC contribution for this stock because it is in the precautionary zone. 20 mt is deducted from the ACL to
  accommodate the incidental open access fishery (17 mt), EFP catch (1 mt), and research catch (2 mt), resulting
  in a fishery HG of 673 mt. Blackgill rockfish has a species-specific HG set equal to the species' contribution
  to 40-10-adjusted ACL. The blackgill rockfish HG is 114 mt.
\nn\ Other Flatfish. The Other Flatfish complex is comprised of flatfish species managed in the PCGFMP that are
  not managed with species-specific OFLs/ABCs/ACLs. Most of the species in the Other Flatfish complex are
  unassessed and include butter sole, curlfin sole, flathead sole, Pacific sanddab (assessed in 2013 but the
  assessment results were too uncertain to inform harvest specifications), rock sole, sand sole, and rex sole
  (assessed in 2013). The Other Flatfish OFL of 11,453 mt is based on the sum of the OFL contributions of the
  component stocks. The ABC of 8,749 mt is based on a sigma value of 0.72 for category 2 stocks (i.e., rex sole)
  and a sigma value of 1.44 for category 3 stocks (all others) with a P* of 0.40. The ACL is set equal to the
  ABC since all of the assessed stocks (i.e., Pacific sanddabs and rex sole) were above their target biomass of
  B25%. 204 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (60 mt), the incidental open access
  fishery (125 mt), and research catch (19 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 8,545 mt.

[[Page 67671]]

 
\oo\ Other Fish. The Other Fish complex is comprised of kelp greenling coastwide, cabezon off Washington, and
  leopard shark coastwide. These species are unassessed. The OFL of 291 mt is the sum of the OFL contributions
  for kelp greenling off California (the SSC has not approved methods for calculating the OFL contributions for
  kelp greenling off Oregon and Washington), cabezon off Washington, and leopard shark coastwide. The ABC of 242
  mt is the sum of ABC contributions for kelp greenling off California, cabezon off Washington and leopard shark
  coastwide calculated by applying a P* of 0.45 and a sigma of 1.44 to the OFL contributions for those stocks.
  The ACL is set equal to the ABC. There are no deductions from the ACL so the fishery HG is equal to the ACL of
  242 mt.


                                     Table 1b to Part 660, Subpart C--2015, Allocations by Species or Species Group
                                                                 [Weight in metric tons]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Trawl                          Non-trawl
                 Species                               Area              Fishery HG or -----------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                              ACT           Percent            Mt            Percent            Mt
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BOCACCIO \a\.............................  S of 40[deg]10' N. lat.....           340.7             N/A             81.9             N/A            258.8
CANARY ROCKFISH a b......................  Coastwide..................           106.8             N/A             56.9             N/A             49.9
COWCOD a c...............................  S of 40[deg]10' N. lat.....               4             N/A              1.4             N/A              2.6
DARKBLOTCHED ROCKFISH \d\................  Coastwide..................           317.2              95            301.3               5             15.9
PACIFIC OCEAN PERCH \e\..................  N of 40[deg]10' N. lat.....             143              95            135.9               5              7.2
PETRALE SOLE \a\.........................  Coastwide..................        2,579.40             N/A          2,544.4             N/A             35
YELLOWEYE ROCKFISH \a\...................  Coastwide..................            12.2             N/A              1               N/A             11.2
Arrowtooth flounder......................  Coastwide..................           3,410              95          3,239                 5            170
Chilipepper..............................  S of 40[deg]10' N. lat.....           1,604              75          1,203                25            401
Dover sole...............................  Coastwide..................          48,406              95         45,986                 5          2,420
English sole.............................  Coastwide..................           9,640              95          9,158                 5            482
Lingcod..................................  N of 40[deg]10' N. lat.....           2,552              45          1,148                55          1,404
Lingcod..................................  S. of 40[deg]10' N. lat....             995              45            448                55            547
Longnose skate \a\.......................  Coastwide..................           1,927              90          1,734                10            193
Longspine thornyhead.....................  N of 34[deg]27' N. lat.....           3,124              95          2,967                 5            156
Pacific cod..............................  Coastwide..................           1,091              95          1,036                 5             55
Pacific whiting..........................  Coastside..................         266,684             100        266,684                 0              0
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Sablefish................................  N of 36[deg] N. lat........               0                            See Table 1c
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Sablefish................................  S of 36[deg] N. lat........           1,714              42            720                58            994
Shortspine thornyhead....................  N of 34[deg]27' N. lat.....           1,686              95          1,601                 5             84
Shortspine thornyhead....................  S of 34[deg]27' N. lat.....             881             N/A             50               N/A            831
Splitnose................................  S of 40[deg]10' N. lat.....           1,705              95          1,619                 5             85
Starry flounder..........................  Coastwide..................           1,524              50            762                50            762
Widow rockfish \f\.......................  Coastwide..................           1,880              91          1,711                 9            169
Yellowtail rockfish......................  N of 40[deg]10' N. lat.....           5,560              88          4,893                12            667
Minor Shelf Rockfish complex \a\.........  N of 40[deg]10' N. lat.....           1,872           60.20          1,127              39.8            745
Minor Shelf Rockfish complex \a\.........  S of 40[deg]10' N. lat.....           1,575           12.20            192              87.8          1,383
Minor Slope Rockfish complex.............  N of 40[deg]10' N. lat.....           1,629              81          1,319                19            309
Minor Slope Rockfish complex.............  S of 40[deg]10' N. lat.....             673              63            424                37            249
Other Flatfish complex...................  Coastwide..................           8,545              90          7,691                10            855
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\a\ Allocations decided through the biennial specification process.
\b\ 13.7 mt of the total trawl allocation of canary rockfish is allocated to the at-sea whiting fisheries, as follows: 5.7 mt for the mothership
  fishery, and 8.0 mt for the catcher/processor fishery.
\c\ The cowcod fishery harvest guideline is further reduced to an ACT of 4.0 mt.
\d\ Consistent with regulations at Sec.   660.55(c), 9 percent (27.1 mt) of the total trawl allocation for darkblotched rockfish is allocated to the
  whiting fisheries, as follows: 11.4 mt for the shorebased IFQ fishery, 6.5 mt for the mothership fishery, and 9.2 mt for the catcher/processor
  fishery. The amounts available to the mothership and catcher/processor fisheries were each raised by 3.5 mt, to 10 mt for the mothership fishery and
  to 12.7 mt for the catcher/processor fishery, by distributing 7.0 mt of the 18.4 mt initially deducted from the ACL to account for mortality in the
  incidental open access fishery, consistent with 660.60(c)(3)(ii). The tonnage calculated here for the whiting portion of the shorebased IFQ fishery
  contributes to the total shorebased trawl allocation, which is found at 660.140(d)(1)(ii)(D).
\e\ Consistent with regulations at Sec.   660.55(c), 30 mt of the total trawl allocation for POP is allocated to the whiting fisheries, as follows: 12.6
  mt for the shorebased IFQ fishery, 7.2 mt for the mothership fishery, and 10.2 mt for the catcher/processor fishery. The tonnage calculated here for
  the whiting portion of the shorebased IFQ fishery contributes to the total shorebased trawl allocation, which is found at 660.140(d)(1)(ii)(D).
\f\ Consistent with regulations at Sec.   660.55(c), 500 mt of the total trawl allocation for widow rockfish is allocated to the whiting fisheries, as
  follows: 210 mt for the shorebased IFQ fishery, 120 mt for the mothership fishery, and 170 mt for the catcher/processor fishery. The tonnage
  calculated here for the whiting portion of the shorebased IFQ fishery contributes to the total shorebased trawl allocation, which is found at
  660.140(d)(1)(ii)(D).

[FR Doc. 2015-27995 Filed 10-29-15; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P