[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 54 (Tuesday, March 20, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 12133-12141]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-05623]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 300

[Docket No. 180202117-8117-01]
RIN 0648-BH58


Pacific Halibut Fisheries; Catch Sharing Plan

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

ACTION: Interim final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is implementing this interim final rule to establish 
regulations for 2018 Pacific halibut catch limits in the following 
International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) Regulatory Areas: Area 
2C (Southeast Alaska), Area 3A (Central Gulf of Alaska), Area 3B 
(Western Gulf of Alaska), and Area 4 (subdivided into five areas, 4A 
through 4E, in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands of Western Alaska). 
This interim final rule revises a catch sharing plan (CSP) for guided 
sport (charter) and commercial individual fishing quota (IFQ) halibut 
fisheries in Area 2C and Area 3A, revises regulations applicable to the 
charter halibut fisheries in Area 2C and Area 3A, and revises a CSP for 
the commercial IFQ and Western Alaska Community Development Quota (CDQ) 
halibut fisheries in Areas 4C, 4D, and 4E. This action is necessary 
because the IPHC, at its annual meeting, did not recommend new catch 
limits or specific CSP allocations and charter management measures for 
Areas 2C, 3A, 3B, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, and 4E for 2018, and the 2017 IPHC 
regulations are in effect until superseded. This interim final rule is 
necessary because immediate action is needed to ensure that halibut 
catch limits, charter halibut fishery management measures, and CSP 
allocations are in place at the start of the commercial IFQ and CDQ 
halibut fishery on March 24, 2018, that better protect the declining 
Pacific halibut resource. This action is intended to enhance the 
conservation of Pacific halibut and is within the authority of the 
Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) to establish additional regulations

[[Page 12134]]

governing the taking of halibut which are more restrictive than those 
adopted by the IPHC.

DATES: Effective March 19, 2018, through December 31, 2018. Comments 
must be received by April 19, 2018.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments, identified by docket number NOAA-NMFS-2018-
0024, by either of the following methods:
     Electronic Submission: Go to www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2018-0024, click the ``Comment Now!'' icon, 
complete the required fields, and enter or attach your comments.
     Mail: Submit written comments to Glenn Merrill, Assistant 
Regional Administrator, Sustainable Fisheries Division, Alaska Region 
NMFS, Attn: Ellen Sebastian. Mail comments to P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, 
AK 99802-1668.
    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 be posted for public viewing on 
www.regulations.gov without change. All personal identifying 
information (e.g., name, address), 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).
    Electronic copies of the environmental assessment (EA), and the 
Regulatory Impact Review (RIR), collectively (Analysis), prepared for 
this interim final rule are available from http://www.regulations.gov 
or from the NMFS Alaska Region website at http://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov.
    Additional requests for information regarding halibut may be 
obtained by contacting the International Pacific Halibut Commission, 
2320 W. Commodore Way, Suite 300, Seattle, WA 98199-1287; or 
Sustainable Fisheries Division, NMFS Alaska Region, P.O. Box 21668, 
Juneau, AK 99802, Attn: Ellen Sebastian, Records Officer; or 
Sustainable Fisheries Division.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Glenn Merrill, 907-586-7228.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    The IPHC can recommend regulations that govern the Pacific halibut 
fishery, pursuant to the Convention between Canada and the United 
States of America for the Preservation of the Halibut Fishery of the 
Northern Pacific Ocean and Bering Sea (Convention), Mar. 2, 1953, 5 
U.S.T. 5, and the Protocol Amending the Convention Between Canada and 
the United States of America for the Preservation of the Halibut 
Fishery of the Northern Pacific Ocean and Bering Sea (Protocol), Mar. 
29, 1979, 32 U.S.T. 2483. The IPHC's regulatory areas (Areas) are: Area 
2A (California, Oregon, and Washington); Area 2B (British Columbia); 
Area 2C (Southeast Alaska), Area 3A (Central Gulf of Alaska), Area 3B 
(Western Gulf of Alaska), and Area 4 (subdivided into five areas, 4A 
through 4E, in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands of Western Alaska). 
These Areas are described at 50 CFR part 679, Figure 15.
    Pursuant to the Northern Pacific Halibut Act of 1982 (Halibut Act) 
at 16 U.S.C. 773b, the Secretary of State, with the concurrence of the 
Secretary of Commerce, may accept or reject, on behalf of the United 
States, regulations recommended by the IPHC in accordance with the 
Convention. On February 26, 2018, the Secretary of State, with the 
concurrence of the Secretary of Commerce, accepted the 2018 IPHC 
regulations agreed upon and recommended by the IPHC as provided by the 
Halibut Act at 16 U.S.C. 773b. Pacific Halibut Fisheries; Catch Sharing 
Plan, 83 FR 10390, March 9, 2018.
    The Halibut Act provides the Secretary of Commerce with general 
responsibility to carry out the Convention under the Halibut Act (16 
U.S.C. 773c(a) and (b)). This general responsibility includes adopting 
such regulations, in consultation with the U.S. Coast Guard, as may be 
necessary to carry out the purposes and objectives of the Convention 
and the Halibut Act (16 U.S.C. 773c(b)). The Regional Fishery 
Management Councils may develop, and the Secretary of Commerce may 
implement, regulations governing harvesting privileges among U.S. 
fishermen in U.S. waters which are in addition to, and not in conflict 
with, regulations adopted by the IPHC (16 U.S.C. 773c(c)). Id.; 
Protocol, Article 1. Also, the North Pacific Fishery Management Council 
(NPFMC) has exercised this authority most notably in developing halibut 
management programs for three fisheries that harvest halibut in Alaska: 
The subsistence, sport, and commercial fisheries. The Pacific Fishery 
Management Council (PFMC) has exercised this authority by developing a 
catch sharing plan governing the allocation of halibut and management 
of sport fisheries on the U.S. West Coast. See 50 CFR part 300 and 
Pacific Halibut Catch Sharing Plan for Area 2A available on the PFMC 
website (http://www.pcouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Final_2017_PACIFIC_HALIBUT_CATCH_SHARING_PLAN_FOR_AREA_2A.pdf).
    Relevant to this interim final rule, the Secretary exercised the 
authority under Article I of the Convention and 16 U.S.C. 773c(a) and 
(b) in 1990 to implement regulations on commercial and sport catch 
limits that were more restrictive than the IPHC regulations published 
in 1989 because the IPHC, at its annual meeting in 1990, did not 
approve new management measures for 1990 (62 FR 11929, March 30, 1990). 
The regulations published in 1989 were in effect until superseded.
    Specific to this interim final rule, the Secretary is implementing, 
under those same authorities, catch limits in Areas: 2C, 3A, 3B, 4A, 
4B, 4C, 4D, and 4E, catch sharing plan (CSP) allocations for charter 
and commercial IFQ halibut fisheries in Area 2C and Area 3A, charter 
halibut management measures in Areas 2C and 3A, and CSP allocations for 
the commercial IFQ and CDQ halibut fisheries in Areas 4C, 4D, and 4E 
that are necessary to carry out the purposes and objectives of the 
Convention. The Secretary is using an interim final rule because the 
2017 IPHC regulations are in effect until superseded and more 
restrictive management measures to conserve the Pacific halibut 
resource are needed prior to the March 24, 2018, opening date.
    Subsistence and sport halibut fishery regulations for Alaska are 
codified at 50 CFR part 300. Commercial halibut fisheries in Alaska are 
subject to the IFQ Program and CDQ Program (50 CFR part 679) 
regulations, and the area-specific catch sharing plans (CSPs) for Areas 
2C, 3A, and Areas 4C, 4D, and 4E.
    The NPFMC implemented a CSP among commercial IFQ and CDQ halibut 
fisheries in IPHC Regulatory Areas 4C, 4D, and 4E (commonly referred to 
as Area 4CDE, Western Alaska) through rulemaking, and the Secretary of 
Commerce approved the plan on March 20, 1996 (61 FR 11337). The Area 4 
CSP regulations were codified at 50 CFR 300.65, and were amended on 
March 17, 1998 (63 FR 13000). New annual regulations pertaining to the 
Area 4 CSP also may be implemented through regulations established by 
the Secretary that are necessary to carry out the purposes and 
objectives of the Convention.
    The NPFMC recommended and NMFS implemented through rulemaking a CSP 
for charter and commercial IFQ halibut fisheries in IPHC Regulatory 
Area 2C and Area 3A on January 13, 2014 (78 FR 75844, December 12, 
2013). The Area 2C and

[[Page 12135]]

3A CSP regulations are codified at 50 CFR 300.65. The CSP defines an 
annual process for allocating halibut between the commercial and 
charter fisheries so that each sector's allocation varies in proportion 
to halibut abundance, specifies a public process for setting charter 
fishery management measures, and authorizes limited annual leases of 
commercial IFQ for use in the charter fishery as guided angler fish 
(GAF).
    The IPHC held its annual meeting in Portland, Oregon, from January 
22 through 26, 2018, and recommended a number of changes to the 2017 
IPHC regulations (82 FR 12730, March 7, 2017). The Secretary of State 
accepted the annual management measures, including the following 
changes to the previous IPHC regulations for 2018 pertaining to:
    1. New commercial halibut fishery opening and closing dates in 
Section 9;
    2. Revisions to existing regulations to clarify the requirement for 
commercial halibut to be landed and weighed with the head attached;
    3. Modifications that align IPHC regulations to recent NPFMC 
actions that would allow CDQ groups to lease (receive by transfer) 
halibut quota share (QS) in Areas 4B, 4C, and 4D;
    4. A minor revision to clarify that halibut harvested on a charter 
vessel fishing trip in Area 2C or Area 3A must be retained on board the 
vessel on which the halibut was caught until the end of the fishing 
trip;
    5. Addition of language to existing regulations that clarifies the 
skin-on requirement of halibut that are retained and cut into sections 
on board a sport fishing vessel;
    6. Changes to allow halibut to be taken with pot gear under 
specific circumstances provided in NMFS regulations;
    7. Revisions to the management measures for Area 2C and Area 3A 
charter halibut anglers that close three Tuesdays to charter halibut 
fishing. The dates for the 2017 closures are revised to conform to 
specific dates in 2018; and
    8. Minor revisions to standardize terminology and clarify the 
regulations, including a new table to specify the commercial, sport, 
and Treaty fishing catch limits for all IPHC regulatory areas.
    Pursuant to regulations at 50 CFR 300.62, the 2018 IPHC annual 
management measures recommended by the IPHC and accepted by the 
Secretary of State were published in the Federal Register to provide 
notice of their immediate regulatory effectiveness and to inform 
persons subject to the regulations of their restrictions and 
requirements (83 FR 10390, March 9, 2018).
    At its 2018 annual meeting, the IPHC did not recommend:
    1. New catch limits in any IPHC regulatory area;
    2. Revised CSP allocations for charter and commercial IFQ halibut 
fisheries in Area 2C and Area 3A;
    3. Revised charter halibut management measures in Areas 2C and 3A; 
or
    4. Revised CSP allocations for the commercial IFQ and CDQ halibut 
fisheries in Areas 4C, 4D, and 4E.
    All of the catch limits, CSP allocations, and charter management 
measures considered for recommendation by the IPHC in 2018 were 
intended to reduce the harvest of halibut compared to 2017 because the 
biological information presented by the IPHC scientists indicated that 
the spawning biomass, and the biomass available to the halibut 
fisheries, is projected to decline. The rate of fishing mortality is 
projected to increase over the next several years if harvests are not 
reduced relative to 2017.
    Although the United States and Canada voiced consensus at the 
IPHC's January 2018 annual meeting that some reduction in catch limits 
relative to 2017 in all Areas was appropriate, U.S. and Canadian 
Commissioners could not agree on specific catch limits for 2018. 
Therefore, the IPHC did not make a recommendation to the Secretary of 
State to revise the catch limits that were recommended and implemented 
in 2017. Because the U.S. and Canadian Commissioners could not reach 
agreement on the specific catch limits in each Area, the IPHC did not 
provide specific recommendations to revise the allocations resulting 
from the CSP for charter and commercial IFQ halibut fisheries in Area 
2C and Area 3A, charter halibut management measures in Areas 2C and 3A, 
or the allocations resulting from the CSP for the commercial IFQ and 
CDQ halibut fisheries in Areas 4C, 4D, and 4E.
    Although the U.S. and Canada could not agree on specific catch 
limits, the U.S. Commissioners did endorse specific catch limits that 
would apply to waters off Alaska (Areas 2C through 4), and specific 
allocations and charter management measures based on the CSPs in place. 
NMFS, consistent with the authority under the Convention and the 
Halibut Act, is implementing the catch limits, allocations resulting 
from the CSPs, and charter management measures endorsed by the U.S. 
Commissioners for 2018. These measures are intended to meet the 
conservation and management objectives of the IPHC and the NPFMC. The 
following sections of this preamble describe the rationale for the 
catch limits, CSP allocations, and charter management measures being 
implemented in Areas 2C, 3A, 3B, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, and 4E under this 
interim final rule. The catch limit for Area 2A is being addressed in a 
separate rule.

Catch Limits

    In 2017, the IPHC conducted its annual stock assessment using a 
range of updated data sources as described in detail in the 2018 IPHC 
Report of Assessment and Research Activities (2018 RARA; available at 
www.iphc.int). The IPHC used an ``ensemble'' of four equally weighted 
models, comprised of two long time-series models, and two short time-
series models that use data series either divided by geographical 
region (IPHC Regulatory Area) or aggregated into coastwide summaries, 
to evaluate the Pacific halibut stock. These models incorporate data 
from the 2017 IPHC survey, the 2017 commercial halibut fishery, the 
most recent NMFS trawl survey, weight-at-age estimates by region, and 
age distribution information for bycatch, sport, and sublegal discard 
removals. As has been the case since 2012, the results of the ensemble 
models are integrated, and incorporate uncertainty in natural mortality 
rates, environmental effects on recruitment, and other structural and 
parameter categories. The data and assessment models used by the IPHC 
are reviewed by the IPHC's Scientific Review Board comprised of non-
IPHC scientists who provide an independent scientific review of the 
stock assessment data and models and provide recommendations to IPHC 
staff and to the Commission. The Scientific Review Board did not 
identify any substantive errors in the data or methods used in the 2017 
stock assessment. NMFS believes the IPHC's data and assessments models 
constitute best available science on the status of the Pacific halibut 
resource.
    The IPHC's data, including the setline survey, indicates that the 
Pacific halibut stock declined continuously from the late 1990s to 
around 2010, as a result of decreasing size at a given age (size-at-
age), as well as somewhat weaker recruitment strengths than those 
observed during the 1980s. The biomass of spawning females is estimated 
to have stabilized near 200,000,000 pounds (90,718 mt) in 2010, and 
since then the stock is estimated to have increased gradually until 
2017.
    The 2017 stock assessment projects that the biomass of spawning 
females at the beginning of 2018 is estimated to be 202,000,000 pounds 
(91,626 mt). Data

[[Page 12136]]

from the 2017 stock assessment indicate that recent recruitments of 
recent age classes (cohorts) of Pacific halibut are estimated to be 
smaller than any recruitment from 1999 through 2005. This indicates a 
high probability of decline in the female spawning stock biomass in 
future years.
    The IPHC presented biological information indicating the effect of 
a range of different catch limits on the spawning stock biomass and the 
harvestable yield over the period from 2019 through 2021. Specifically, 
the IPHC staff provided information describing the potential 
implications of three alternative catch limits:
     Alternative 1 (status quo): Maintain catch limits in Areas 
2C, 3A, 3B, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, and 4E, and charter management measures in 
Areas 2C and 3A equal to those adopted by the IPHC in 2017.
     Alternative 2 (implemented in this rule): Reduce catch 
limits in Areas 2C, 3A, 3B, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, and 4E, and modify charter 
management measures in Areas 2C and 3A, as endorsed by the U.S. 
Commissioners but not recommended by the IPHC at the 2018 IPHC Annual 
Meeting.
     Alternative 3: Reduce catch limits in Areas 2C, 3A, 3B, 
4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, and 4E, and modify charter management measures in Areas 
2C and 3A consistent with the IPHC's interim management procedure.
    The IPHC's interim management procedure (reference fishing 
intensity of F46% SPR) seeks to maintain the total mortality of halibut 
across its range from all sources based on a reference level of fishing 
intensity so that the Spawning Potential Ratio (SPR) is equal to 46 
percent. The reference fishing intensity of F46% SPR seeks to allow a 
level of fishing intensity that is expected to result in approximately 
46 percent of the spawning stock biomass per recruit compared to an 
unfished stock (i.e., no fishing mortality). Lower values indicate 
higher fishing intensity. Additional information on the status of the 
halibut resource under these catch limit alternatives is provided in 
the Analysis (see ADDRESSES).
    The following sections of this preamble provide a comparison of the 
relative risk of a decrease in stock abundance, status, or fishery 
metrics, for a range of alternative catch levels for 2018 under each of 
these three alternative catch limit scenarios. This comparison assumes 
that other sources of mortality from bycatch, personal use, sport (not 
included in CSPs), subsistence, and the rates of discard mortality in 
the recreational and commercial fisheries are similar to those observed 
in 2017. This interim final rule refers to halibut catch limits, 
commercial and charter allocations and removals in net pounds or net 
metric tons. Net pounds and net metric tons are defined as the weight 
of halibut from which the gills, entrails, head, and ice and slime have 
been removed. This terminology is used in this interim final rule to be 
consistent with the IPHC, which establishes catch limits and calculates 
mortality in net pounds.
    Although this interim final rule addresses catch limits in Areas 
2C, 3A, 3B, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, and 4E, this interim final rule describes 
the impacts on the halibut resource on a coastwide basis, consistent 
with the current management and known biological distribution of the 
halibut resource. Because the 2017 catch limits in Areas 2C, 3A, 3B, 
4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, and 4E comprise the largest portion of catch limits in 
all Areas (22,620,000 pounds [10,260 mt], or approximately 72 percent 
of all catch limits), the impact of maintaining 2017 catch levels in 
these Areas would have a significant impact on the overall condition of 
the halibut resource.

Alternative 1: Maintain Catch Levels Equal to Those Adopted by the IPHC 
in 2017

    In 2017, the IPHC recommended to the governments of Canada and the 
United States catch limits for 2017 totaling 31,400,000 pounds (14,243 
mt). Maintaining catch limits in all Areas, including Areas 2C, 3A, 3B, 
4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, and 4E, equal to 2017 would have several short-term and 
possibly long-term adverse impacts on the halibut resource.
    If the 2017 catch limits were applied in all Areas in 2018, the 
spawning stock biomass is projected to decrease substantially over the 
next three years (2019 through 2021). Under this harvest alternative 
there is estimated to be greater than a 99 percent chance that the 
spawning biomass will be lower in 2019, and a 34 percent chance that it 
will be more than 5 percent lower than the current level of 202,000,000 
pounds (91,626 mt). Under this alternative catch limit, there is a 99 
percent chance that the spawning biomass will be lower than the current 
level in 2021, and an 89 percent chance that it will be more than 5 
percent lower than the current level of 202,000,000 pounds (91,626 mt). 
In 2021, there is a substantial chance (23 percent) that the spawning 
biomass will decline below the threshold reference point (30 percent of 
the spawning stock biomass remains) used by the IPHC to indicate stock 
conditions that would trigger a substantial reduction in the commercial 
halibut fishery under the interim IPHC management procedure. Overall, 
the IPHC assessment predicts that the spawning stock biomass would 
decrease continuously between 2019 and 2021 under this catch limit 
alternative (see Section 3.3 of the Analysis).
    Under this alternative, if the 2017 catch limits were applied in 
all Areas in 2018, the future fishery yield, using the reference 
fishing intensity of F46% SPR, is also projected to decrease 
substantially over the next three years (2019 through 2021). The 
fishery yield is the amount of harvest available for harvest by 
commercial, recreational, and subsistence users. The IPHC estimates an 
80 percent chance that the coastwide fishery yield will be lower than 
the status quo of 40,800,000 pounds (18,507 mt) in 2019, and a 76 
percent chance that it will be more than 10 percent lower. Under this 
alternative, the IPHC estimates at least an 81 percent chance that the 
coastwide fishery yield will be lower than 40,800,000 pounds (18,507 
mt) in 2020 and 2021, and at least a 77 percent chance that it will be 
more than 10 percent lower in 2020 and 2021. This alternative would 
provide the highest short-term catch limits and the most harvest 
opportunities for 2018 of the three alternative catch limit scenarios 
described in this preamble. Sections 3 and 4 of the Analysis summarize 
the biological and economic impacts of this alternative.

Alternative 2: Reduce Catch Limits as Endorsed by the U.S. 
Commissioners But Not Recommended by the IPHC

    After considering the range of stock assessment, commercial 
fishery, and other biological information at its 2018 annual meeting, 
the U.S. Commissioners to the IPHC stated that maintaining 2018 catch 
limits in Areas 2C, 3A, 3B, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, and 4E at the same level as 
those implemented in 2017 would not be consistent with its conservation 
objectives for the halibut stock and its management objectives for the 
halibut fisheries. Specifically, the Protocol in Article III states 
that the Commission may limit the quantity of the catch ``for the 
purpose of developing the stocks of halibut . . . to levels which will 
permit the optimum yield from that fishery, and of maintaining the 
stocks at those levels . . .'' The U.S. Commissioners provided 
rationale that supported the catch limits under this alternative and 
implemented by this rule, including the following:
     The IPHC survey, IPHC stock assessment, and supporting 
information from trawl and longline surveys conducted by NMFS indicated 
substantial reductions in the spawning stock biomass and potential 
fishery

[[Page 12137]]

yield of halibut in 2018 compared to 2017.
     The IPHC stock assessment identified poor recruitment 
entering in the portion of the halibut stock on which the fishery 
relies over the foreseeable future and those trends are worsened with 
higher harvest rates.
     Although the IPHC survey is a ``snapshot'' of the health 
of the resource, the results from the survey are further substantiated 
by declining trends in Bering Sea and Gulf of Alaska trawl surveys, and 
declining trends in commercial fishery weight-per-unit-effort (WPUE) in 
most areas (Areas 2C, 3A, 3B, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, and 4E). The IPHC survey 
indicates a 10 percent reduction in survey WPUE, and a 24 percent 
reduction in survey numbers-per-unit-effort (NPUE) coastwide.
     Since 2010, within Areas 2C, 3A, 3B, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, and 
4E, the U.S. has consistently been conservative in setting catch limits 
at, below, or slightly over the reference levels for the Areas that 
reflected the IPHC interim management.
    The U.S. Commissioners considered information indicating that 
commercial WPUE in some Areas was higher in 2017 relative to 2016. 
These commercial data have led some fishery participants to suggest 
that the surveys and IPHC stock assessment do not adequately reflect 
the abundance of harvestable halibut. The U.S. Commissioners noted that 
there is no indication that the surveys or assessment are inaccurate to 
any significant degree and are the best scientific information 
available for estimating halibut abundance (see Section 3.3 of the 
Analysis for additional detail).
    The U.S. Commissioners noted that establishing catch limits using 
the reference fishing intensity of F46% SPR would impose significant 
economic costs on the commercial and charter operators in Areas 2C, 3A, 
3B, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, and 4E (see Section 3.3 of the Analysis for 
additional detail). Therefore, the U.S. Commissioners stated their 
support for catch limits that would effectively result in reducing 
catch limits by an amount that is an average between the 2017 catch 
limits and the catch limits using the reference fishing intensity of 
F46% SPR. The U.S. Commissioners supported this approach to provide 
some additional harvest opportunities, but noted that the IPHC stock 
assessment, IPHC survey, and potential risks to the long-term 
sustainability of the halibut resource do not support larger catch 
limits.
    Overall, the catch limits supported by the U.S. Commissioners in 
Areas 2C, 3A, 3B, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, and 4E would result in moderate 
decreases relative to 2017 consistent with the best scientific 
information available on the abundance of harvestable halibut within 
these Areas. Under this alternative, catch limits correspond to a 
projected fishing intensity of F41% SPR, which would represent a slight 
decrease in fishing intensity from the value for 2017 of F40% SPR 
estimated prior to the start of fishing in 2017, and less fishing 
intensity than Alternative 1 (F38%) estimated after the end of fishing 
in 2017.
    As shown in Table 1, in some Areas (e.g., Area 4A) the catch limit 
reductions from 2017 to 2018 are relatively small because the IPHC 
survey indicates that the biomass in those Areas in 2017 decreased by 
only a small proportion. Therefore, the relatively small reduction in 
those Areas reflects the relatively small decrease in the survey 
estimate. In other Areas (e.g., Area 3B) the IPHC survey indicates that 
the biomass in 2017 decreased by a larger proportion. Table 1 
summarizes the change in catch limits in Areas 2C, 3A, 3B, 4A, 4B, 4C, 
4D, and 4E from 2017 to 2018 under this alternative implemented by this 
interim final rule.

   Table 1--Percent Change in Catch Limits From 2017 to 2018 in Areas 2C, 3A, 3B, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, and 4E Under
                                                  Alternative 2
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    2018 catch
                                                                                       limit
                                                                    2017 catch      implemented     Change from
                              Area                                limit (pounds)       under      2017 (percent)
                                                                                   alternative 2
                                                                                     (pounds)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2C..............................................................       5,250,000       4,450,000           -15.2
3A..............................................................      10,000,000       9,450,000            -5.5
3B..............................................................       3,140,000       2,620,000           -16.6
4A..............................................................       1,390,000       1,370,000            -1.4
4B..............................................................       1,140,000       1,050,000            -7.9
4CDE............................................................       1,700,000       1,580,000            -7.1
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
    Total (2C-4)................................................      22,620,000      20,520,000            -9.3
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Table 1 shows the combined commercial and charter allocations for 
Area 2C and Area 3A under the CSP. This value includes allocations to 
the charter sector, including charter fishing incidental mortality, and 
an amount for the combined commercial landings and discard mortality. 
The 2018 commercial catch limits after deducting discard mortality are 
3,570,000 pounds (1,619 mt) in Area 2C and 7,350,000 pounds (3,334 mt) 
in Area 3A.
    If the 2018 catch limits endorsed by U.S. Commissioners for Areas 
2A, 2C, 3A, 3B, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, and 4E and the 2018 catch limit 
endorsed by the Canadian Commissioners for 2B were applied in 2018, the 
spawning stock biomass is still projected to decrease substantially 
over the next three years (2019 through 2021). Under this harvest 
alternative, there is an estimated 93 percent chance that the spawning 
biomass will be lower than the current level in 2019, and a 19 percent 
chance that it will be more than 5 percent lower than the current level 
of 202,000,000 pounds (91,626 mt). Under this alternative catch limit, 
there is a 92 percent chance that the spawning biomass will be lower in 
2021, and a 72 percent chance that it will be more than 5 percent lower 
than the current level of 202,000,000 pounds (91,626 mt). In 2021, 
there is a chance (17 percent) that the spawning biomass will decline 
below the threshold reference point (30 percent of the spawning stock 
biomass remains) used by the IPHC to indicate stock conditions that 
would trigger a substantial reduction in the commercial halibut fishery 
under the interim management procedure. Overall, the IPHC assessment 
predicts that the spawning stock biomass would decrease

[[Page 12138]]

continuously between 2019 and 2021 under this catch limit alternative 
(see Section 3.3 of the Analysis).
    Under this alternative, if 2018 catch limits endorsed by U.S. 
Commissioners were applied in all Areas in 2018, the future fishery 
yield, using the reference fishing intensity of F46% SPR, is projected 
to decrease substantially over the next three years (2019 through 
2021), but less so than Alternative 1. The IPHC estimates a 73 percent 
chance that the coastwide fishery yield will be lower than a coastwide 
fishery yield of 37,200,000 pounds (16,874 mt) in 2019, and a 63 
percent chance that it will be more than 10 percent lower. Under this 
alternative, the IPHC estimates at least a 75 percent chance that the 
coastwide fishery yield will be lower than 37,200,000 pounds (16,874 
mt) in 2020 and 2021, and at least a 67 percent chance that it will be 
more than 10 percent lower in 2020 and 2021. Sections 3 and 4 of the 
Analysis summarize the biological and economic impacts of this 
alternative.

Alternative 3: Reduce Catch Limits Consistent With the IPHC's Interim 
Management Procedure

    The U.S. and Canadian Commissioners also considered an alternative 
catch limit that would establish catch limits in all regulatory areas 
consistent with the IPHC's interim management procedure. Neither the 
U.S. nor the Canadian Commissioners recommended catch limits that were 
consistent with the IPHC's interim management procedure. As described 
in the previous section of this preamble, the U.S. Commissioners 
observed that establishing catch limits using the reference fishing 
intensity of F46% SPR would impose significant economic costs on 
commercial and charter operators in Areas 2C, 3A, 3B, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 
and 4E (see Section 4 of the Analysis for additional detail).
    If the catch limits consistent with the IPHC's interim management 
procedure were implemented in all Areas in 2018, the spawning stock 
biomass is still projected to decrease over the next three years (2019 
through 2021), but less than under Alternatives 1 and 2. Under this 
harvest alternative, there is an estimated 78 percent chance that the 
spawning biomass will be lower than the current level in 2019, and a 5 
percent chance that it will be more than 5 percent lower than the 
current level of 202,000,000 pounds (91,626 mt). Under this alternative 
catch limit, there is a 76 percent chance that the spawning biomass 
will be lower than the current level in 2021, and a 46 percent chance 
that it will be more than 5 percent lower than the current level of 
202,000,000 pounds (91,626 mt). In 2021, there is a chance (10 percent) 
that the spawning biomass will decline below the threshold reference 
point (30 percent of the spawning stock biomass remains) used by the 
IPHC to indicate stock conditions that would trigger a substantial 
reduction in the commercial halibut fishery under the interim 
management procedure. Overall, the IPHC assessment predicts that the 
spawning stock biomass would decrease continuously between 2019 and 
2021 under this catch limit alternative (see Section 3.3 of the 
Analysis).
    Under this alternative, if 2018 catch limits consistent with the 
IPHC's interim management procedure were applied in all Areas in 2018, 
the future fishery yield, using the reference fishing intensity of F46% 
SPR, is projected to decrease substantially over the next three years 
(2019 through 2021), but less so than Alternatives 1 and 2. The IPHC 
estimates a 55 percent chance that the coastwide fishery yield will be 
lower than 31,000,000 pounds (14,061 mt) in 2019, and a 38 percent 
chance that it will be more than 10 percent lower. Under this 
alternative, the IPHC estimates at least a 59 percent chance that the 
fishery yield will be lower than a coastwide fishery yield of 
31,000,000 pounds (14,061 mt) in 2020 and 2021, and at least a 45 
percent chance that it will be more than 10 percent lower in 2020 and 
2021. Sections 3 and 4 of the Analysis summarize the biological and 
economic impacts of this alternative.

Catch Limits for Areas 2C, 3A, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, and 4E Implemented Under 
This Rule

    After considering the best available scientific information, the 
Convention, the status of the halibut resource, and the potential 
social and economic costs of the three alternative catch limits 
described in this preamble, NMFS implements through this interim final 
rule catch limits that are consistent with catch limits endorsed by the 
U.S. Commissioners but not recommended by the IPHC (Alternative 2).
    This interim final rule adds a new provision at 50 CFR 300.68(a)(1) 
to implement catch limits for Areas 2C, 3A, 3B, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, and 4E 
in 2018. Consistent with the authority under the Convention and the 
Halibut Act, the regulations implemented at Sec.  300.68(a)(1) under 
this interim final rule supersede the allocations for Areas 2C, 3A, 3B, 
4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, and 4E that are described in section 12 of the 2018 
IPHC annual management measures (83 FR 10390, March 9, 2018).

Catch Sharing Plan for Area 2C and Area 3A Implemented Under This Rule

    In 2014, NMFS implemented a CSP for Area 2C and Area 3A. The CSP 
defines an annual process for allocating halibut between the charter 
and commercial fisheries in Area 2C and Area 3A, and establishes 
allocations for each fishery. To allow flexibility for individual 
commercial and charter fishery participants, the CSP also authorizes 
annual transfers of commercial halibut IFQ as GAF to charter halibut 
permit holders for harvest in the charter fishery. Under the CSP, the 
IPHC recommends combined catch limits (CCLs) for the charter and 
commercial halibut fisheries in Area 2C and Area 3A. Each CCL includes 
estimates of discard mortality (wastage) for each fishery. The CSP was 
implemented to achieve the halibut fishery management goals of the 
NPFMC. More information is provided in the final rule implementing the 
CSP (78 FR 75844, December 12, 2013). Implementing regulations for the 
CSP are at 50 CFR 300.65. The Area 2C and Area 3A CSP allocation tables 
are located in Tables 1 through 4 of subpart E of 50 CFR part 300. 
Based on the catch limit implemented by this interim final rule, the 
CCL for Area 2C would be 4,450,000 pounds (2,018 mt). Following the CSP 
allocations in Tables 1 and 3 of subpart E of 50 CFR part 300, the 
charter fishery is allocated 810,000 pounds (367 mt) of the CCL and the 
remainder of the CCL, 3,640,000 pounds (1,6518 mt), is allocated to the 
commercial fishery. Discard mortality of halibut over 26 inches in 
length (termed ``wastage'' in the CSP) in the amount of 70,000 pounds 
(32 mt) was deducted from the commercial allocation to obtain the 
commercial catch limit of 3,570,000 pounds (1,619 mt). Relative to 
2017, the commercial allocation decreased by about 695,000 pounds (315 
mt) or 16.0 percent, from the 2017 allocation of 4,335,000 pounds 
(1,966 mt) (including discard mortality). The charter allocation for 
2018 is about 810,000 pounds (367 mt), or 11.5 percent less than the 
charter sector allocation of 915,000 pounds (415 mt) in 2017.
    Based on the catch limit implemented by this interim final rule, 
the CCL for Area 3A is 9,450,000 pounds (4,826 mt). Following the CSP 
allocations in Tables 2 and 4 of subpart E of 50 CFR part 300, the 
charter fishery is allocated 1,790,000 pounds (812 mt) of the CCL and 
the remainder of the CCL, 7,670,000 pounds (3,479 mt), is allocated to 
the commercial fishery. Discard mortality in the amount of 320,000 
pounds (145 mt) was deducted from the commercial

[[Page 12139]]

allocation to obtain the commercial catch limit of 7,350,000 pounds 
(3,334 mt). The commercial allocation decreased by about 450,000 pounds 
(204 mt) or 5.5 percent, from the 2017 allocation of 8,110,000 pounds 
(3,679 mt) (including discard mortality). The charter allocation 
decreased by about 100,000 pounds (45 mt), or 5.6 percent, from the 
2017 allocation of 1,890,000 pounds (857 mt).
    This interim final rule adds a new provision at 50 CFR 300.68(a)(2) 
to implement the catch sharing plan for Areas 2C and 3A in 2018. 
Consistent with the authority under the Convention and the Halibut Act, 
the regulations implemented at Sec.  300.68(a)(2) under this interim 
final rule supersede the commercial and charter fishery allocations for 
Area 2C and Area 3A that are described in sections 29(2)(a) and 
29(3)(a) of the 2018 IPHC annual management measures (83 FR 10390, 
March 9, 2018).

Charter Halibut Management Measures for Area 2C and Area 3A Implemented 
Under This Rule

    Guided (charter) recreational halibut anglers are managed under 
different regulations than unguided recreational halibut anglers in 
Areas 2C and 3A in Alaska. According to Federal regulations at 50 CFR 
300.61, a charter vessel angler means a person, paying or non-paying, 
receiving sport fishing guide services for halibut. Sport fishing guide 
services means assistance, for compensation or with the intent to 
receive compensation, to a person who is sport fishing, to take or 
attempt to take halibut by accompanying or physically directing the 
sport fisherman in sport fishing activities during any part of a 
charter vessel fishing trip. A charter vessel fishing trip is the time 
period between the first deployment of fishing gear into the water from 
a charter vessel by a charter vessel angler and the offloading of one 
or more charter vessel anglers or any halibut from that vessel. The 
charter fishery regulations described below apply only to charter 
vessel anglers receiving sport fishing guide services during a charter 
vessel fishing trip for halibut in Area 2C or Area 3A. These 
regulations do not apply to GAF halibut as specified in section 
29(1)(g) of the 2018 IPHC annual management measures (83 FR 10390, 
March 9, 2018) and described in Sec.  300.65(c)(5), unguided 
recreational anglers in any regulatory area in Alaska, or guided 
anglers in areas other than Areas 2C and 3A.
    The NPFMC formed the Charter Halibut Management Committee to 
provide it with recommendations for annual management measures intended 
to limit charter harvest to the charter catch limit while minimizing 
negative economic impacts to charter fishery participants in times of 
low halibut abundance. The committee is composed of representatives 
from the charter fishing industry in Areas 2C and 3A. The committee 
considered previously analyzed alternatives and endorsed new 
alternative measures to be analyzed in October 2017. After reviewing an 
analysis of the effects of the alternative measures on estimated 
charter removals, the committee made recommendations for preferred 2018 
management measures to the NPFMC. The NPFMC considered the 
recommendations of the committee, its industry advisory body, and 
public testimony to develop its recommendation to the IPHC. The NPFMC 
has used this process to select and recommend annual management 
measures to the IPHC since 2012.
    This interim final rule implements management measures that are 
consistent with NPFMC policies and regulations that allocate the 
Pacific halibut resource among fishermen in and off Alaska to support 
the NPFMC's goals of limiting charter harvests to the sector's 
allocation under the CSP. Based on the catch limits implemented by this 
interim final rule, specific charter management measures would need to 
be revised to limit the Area 2C and Area 3A charter halibut fisheries 
to their charter catch limits under the CSP. These revisions achieve 
the overall conservation objective to limit total halibut harvests to 
established catch limits, and to meet the NPFMC's allocation objectives 
for these areas. The management measures discussed below would meet 
these objectives. All other charter management measures are described 
in the 2018 IPHC annual management measures (83 FR 10390, March 9, 
2018).

Revised Management Measures for Charter Vessel Fishing in Area 2C--
Reverse Slot Limit

    This interim final rule implements a reverse slot limit which is in 
addition to, and not in conflict with regulations adopted by the IPHC 
in section 29(2)(c) in the 2018 IPHC annual management measures (83 FR 
10390, March 9, 2018). This interim final rule implements a reverse 
slot limit that prohibits a person on board a charter vessel referred 
to in 50 CFR 300.65 and fishing in Area 2C from taking or possessing 
any halibut, with head on, that is greater than 38 inches (96.5 cm) and 
less than 80 inches (203.2 cm), as measured in a straight line, passing 
over the pectoral fin from the tip of the lower jaw with mouth closed, 
to the extreme end of the middle of the tail. The 2017 reverse slot 
limit prohibited retention by charter vessel anglers of halibut that 
were greater than 44 inches (111.8 cm) and less than 80 inches. The 
projected charter removal under the 2018 recommended reverse slot limit 
is 809,000 pounds (367 mt), 1,000 pounds (0.45 mt) below the charter 
allocation.
    This interim final rule adds a new provision at 50 CFR 300.68(b)(1) 
to establish this reverse slot limit in Area 2C. Consistent with the 
authority under the Convention and the Halibut Act, the regulations 
implemented at Sec.  300.68(b)(1) under this interim final rule 
supersede the reverse slot limit for charter vessels fishing in Area 2C 
that is described in section 29(2)(c) of the 2018 IPHC annual 
management measures (83 FR 10390, March 9, 2018).

Management Measures for Charter Vessel Fishing in Area 3A--Day-of-Week 
Closures

    The NPFMC recommended using day-of-week closures for Area 3A in 
2018. This interim final rule establishes day-of-week closures that are 
consistent with the NPFMC recommendation and which are in addition to, 
and not in conflict with regulations adopted by the IPHC in section 
29(3)(f) of the 2018 IPHC annual management measures (83 FR 10390, 
March 9, 2018). This interim final rule does not modify the day of week 
closures under 2018 IPHC annual management measures (83 FR 10390, March 
9, 2018) that prohibits retention of halibut by charter vessel anglers 
in Area 3A on Wednesdays. This interim final rule establishes day-of-
week closures on the following Tuesdays in 2018: July 10, July 17, July 
24, July 31, August 7, and August 14. These closures supersede the day-
of-week closures listed in the 2018 IPHC annual management measures (83 
FR 10390, March 9, 2018). Consistent with the existing Wednesday 
closure, no retention of halibut by charter vessel anglers is allowed 
on these dates in Area 3A. Retention of only GAF halibut will be 
allowed on charter vessels on Wednesdays and the six closed Tuesdays; 
all other halibut that are caught while fishing on a charter vessel 
must be released. This interim final rule adds three Tuesday closures 
that are not listed in the 2018 IPHC annual management measures (83 FR 
10390, March 9, 2018). The addition of the three Tuesday closures for 
2018 is expected to reduce charter halibut harvest below the charter 
catch limit. The projected charter removal under the 2018 management 
measures is 1,777,000

[[Page 12140]]

pounds (806 mt), 13,000 pounds (6 mt) below the charter allocation.
    This interim final rule adds a new provision at 50 CFR 300.68(b)(2) 
to establish these new Tuesday closures in Area 3A. Consistent with the 
authority under the Convention and the Halibut Act, the regulations 
implemented at Sec.  300.68(b)(2) under this interim final rule 
supersede the Tuesday closures for charter vessels fishing in Area 3A 
that is described in section 29(3)(f) of the 2018 IPHC annual 
management measures (83 FR 10390, March 9, 2018).

Catch Sharing Plan for Areas 4CDE Implemented Under This Rule

    The allocation to Areas 4CDE that is based on the CSP adopted by 
the NPFMC as described in this preamble, and the allocation to Areas 
4CDE is contained in the table in the regulations at 50 CFR 
300.68(a)(1).

Classification

    The Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS, determined that this 
interim final rule is necessary for the conservation and management of 
the Pacific halibut fishery and that it is consistent with the 
Convention, the Halibut Act, and other applicable laws. Halibut annual 
management measures are a product of an agreement between the United 
States and Canada and are published in the Federal Register to provide 
notice of their effectiveness and content. However, for 2018, because 
the United States and Canada were not able to reach agreement on all 
management measures, additional halibut annual management measures will 
be promulgated by the Secretary of Commerce pursuant to section 4 of 
the Northern Pacific Halibut Act of 1982, 16 U.S.C. 773c(a) and (b).
    This interim final rule is consistent with the objective of the 
Convention to develop the stocks of halibut of the Northern Pacific 
Ocean and Bering Sea to levels which will permit the optimum yield from 
that fishery, and to maintain the stocks at those levels. NMFS and the 
U.S. Commissioners considered the best available science when endorsing 
the catch limits and other management measures implemented by this 
interim final rule. Specifically, NMFS and the U.S. Commissioners 
considered the most recent stock assessments conducted by the IPHC, 
surveys, and the Analysis conducted for this interim final rule.
    This interim final rule has been determined to be not significant 
for purposes of Executive Order 12866.
    Without adoption of this interim final rule, the Pacific halibut 
stocks will be harvested at a rate NMFS and the U.S. Commissioners have 
determined to be unacceptably high based on the best available science. 
Further, it is imperative to publish these regulations prior to the 
opening of the season under the 2018 IPHC annual management measures 
(83 FR 10390, March 9, 2018) to avoid confusion to affected public 
regarding legal behavior while conducting Pacific halibut fisheries in 
Convention waters off the U.S. Therefore, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 
553(b)(B), there is good cause to waive prior notice and an opportunity 
for public comment on this action, as notice and comment would be 
impracticable and contrary to the public interest. Because of the 
timing of the start of the Pacific halibut fishery, which begins on 
March 24, 2018, it is impracticable to complete rulemaking before the 
start of the fishery with a public review and comment period. This 
interim final rule implements commercial catch limits and charter 
halibut management measures consistent with the endorsements made by 
U.S. Commissioners to the IPHC at the annual meeting of the IPHC that 
concluded on January 26, 2018. With the fishery scheduled to open on 
March 24, 2018, NMFS must ensure that the prosecution of a fishery 
would not result in substantial harm to the Pacific halibut resource 
that could occur if the additional time necessary to provide for prior 
notice and comment and agency processing delayed the effectiveness of 
this action beyond March 24, 2018.
    There also is good cause under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3) to waive the 30-
day delay in effectiveness. These management measures must be effective 
by March 24, 2018, when the Pacific halibut fishery is scheduled to 
open by regulations adopted by the IPHC. These management measures are 
necessary to prevent substantial harm to the Pacific halibut resource. 
The immediate effectiveness of these regulations avoids confusion to 
the affected public that could occur if these management measures are 
not effective on March 24, 2018. Accordingly, it is impracticable to 
delay for 30 days the effective date of this rule. Therefore, good 
cause exists to waive the 30-day delay in effectiveness pursuant to 5 
U.S.C. 553(b)(3), and to make the rule effective upon filing for public 
inspection with the Office of the Federal Register.
    Although we are waiving prior notice and opportunity for public 
comment, we are requesting post-promulgation comments until April 19, 
2018. Please see ADDRESSES for more information on the ways to submit 
comments.
    Because prior notice and opportunity for public comment are not 
required for this rule by 5 U.S.C. 553, or any other law, the 
analytical requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601 
et seq., are inapplicable.

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 300

    Alaska, Fisheries, Treaties.

    Dated: March 15, 2018.
Samuel D. Rauch III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.

    For the reasons set out in the preamble, 50 CFR part 300, subpart 
E, is amended as follows:

PART 300--INTERNATIONAL FISHERIES REGULATIONS

Subpart E--Pacific Halibut Fisheries

0
1. The authority citation for subpart E continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  16 U.S.C. 773-773k.


0
2. Add Sec.  300.68 to subpart E to read as follows:


Sec.  300.68  2018 Management Measures for Areas 2C, 3A, 3B, 4A, 4B, 
4C, 4D, and 4E.

    Notwithstanding Sec.  300.65(c)(2), (c)(3)(i), and (c)(4)(i), this 
section establishes catch limits for Areas 2C, 3A, 3B, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 
and 4E, catch sharing plan allocations for Areas 2C and 3A, Catch 
Sharing Plan allocations for Areas 4C, 4D, and 4E, and charter halibut 
management measures for Areas 2C and 3A effective March 19, 2018, 
through December 31, 2018.
    (a) Catch limits for Areas 2C, 3A, 3B, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, and 4E in 
2018--(1) Commercial catch limits. The total allowable commercial catch 
of halibut to be taken during the commercial halibut fishing periods 
specified by the Commission shall be limited in net weights expressed 
in pounds and metric tons shown in the following table:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                     Commercial catch
                                                     limit--net weight
              IPHC regulatory area               -----------------------
                                                                Metric
                                                    Pounds       tons
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2C..............................................   3,570,000    1,619.32
3A..............................................   7,350,000    3,333.91
3B..............................................   2,620,000    1,188.41
4A..............................................   1,370,000      621.42
4B..............................................   1,050,000      476.27
4C..............................................     733,500      332.71
4D..............................................     733,500      332.71
4E..............................................     113,000       51.26
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (2) Annual guided sport catch limits in Area 2C and Area 3A. The 
annual guided sport catch limit:
    (i) In Area 2C is 810,000 pounds (367.41 metric tons); and
    (ii) In Area 3A is 1,790,000 pounds (811.93 metric tons).

[[Page 12141]]

    (3) Annual commercial catch limits in Area 2C and Area 3A. The 
annual commercial catch limit:
    (i) In Area 2C is 3,570,000 pounds (1,619.32 metric tons); and
    (ii) In Area 3A is 7,350,000 pounds (3,333.91 metric tons).
    (b) Additional requirements for charter vessels for Area 2C and 
Area 3A in 2018--(1) Area 2C. In addition to complying with regulations 
adopted by the Commission as annual management measures, and published 
in the Federal Register as required in Sec.  300.62, no person on board 
a charter vessel as defined in Sec.  300.61 shall catch and retain any 
halibut that with head on is greater than 38 inches (96.5 cm) and less 
than 80 inches (203.2 cm) as measured in a straight line, passing over 
the pectoral fin from the tip of the lower jaw with mouth closed, to 
the extreme end of the middle of the tail.
    (2) Area 3A. In addition to complying with regulations adopted by 
the Commission as annual management measures, and published in the 
Federal Register as required in Sec.  300.62, no person on board a 
charter vessel as defined in Sec.  300.61 may catch and retain halibut 
on any Wednesday in 2018, or on the following Tuesdays: July 10, July 
17, July 24, July 31, August 7, and August 14 in 2018.

[FR Doc. 2018-05623 Filed 3-19-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P