[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 63 (Monday, April 1, 2024)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 22342-22352]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-06775]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 660

[Docket No. 221206-0261]
RIN 0648-BM97


Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Fisheries Off West Coast States; 
Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery; 2023-2024 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.

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

SUMMARY: This final rule announces routine inseason adjustments to 
management measures in commercial and recreational groundfish 
fisheries. This action is intended to allow fishing vessels to access 
more abundant groundfish stocks while protecting rebuilding stocks.

DATES: This final rule is effective April 1, 2024.

ADDRESSES: Electronic Access: This rule is accessible at the Office of 
the Federal Register website at https://www.federalregister.gov. 
Background information and documents are available at the Pacific 
Fishery Management Council's website at https://www.pcouncil.org.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Sean Matson: 206-526-6187 or 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan (PCGFMP) and 
its implementing regulations at title 50 in the Code of Federal 
Regulations (CFR), part 660, subparts C through G, regulate fishing for 
over 90 species of groundfish seaward of Washington, Oregon, and 
California. The Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) develops 
groundfish harvest specifications and management measures for 2-year 
periods (biennia). NMFS published the final rule to implement harvest 
specifications and management measures for the 2023-2024 biennium for 
most species managed under the PCGFMP on December 16, 2022 (87 FR 
77007). The management measures set at the start of the biennial 
harvest specifications cycle help the various sectors of the fishery 
attain, but not exceed, the catch limits for each stock. The Council, 
in coordination with Pacific Coast Treaty Indian Tribes and the States 
of Washington, Oregon, and California, recommends adjustments to the 
management measures during the fishing year to achieve this goal.
    At its March 2024 meeting, the Council recommended inseason 
measures, modifying fixed gear regulations in the area south of lat. 
40[deg]10' N, including within the Non-

[[Page 22343]]

Trawl Rockfish Conservation Area (RCA) boundaries, and commercial fixed 
gear trip limits for certain species within the limited entry (LE) and 
open access (OA) fisheries, including lingcod, the other flatfish 
complex, and the minor shelf rockfish complex. The purpose of these 
inseason measures is to promote the conservation of quillback rockfish 
and vermillion/sunset rockfish off California, while balancing the 
economic benefits of fishing opportunity. The Council also recommended 
modifications to Federal regulations, concerning the portion of the 
California recreational fishery that falls within Federal waters, which 
include changes to season dates and depth limits, and revisions to the 
sub-bag limit for vermilion/sunset rockfish south of lat. 40[deg]10' N. 
The March recommendations were communicated in a letter to NMFS dated 
March 20, 2024.
    The recommendations were based on analysis using newly available 
information on catch and attainment, and input from industry at the 
March meeting. Pacific Coast groundfish fisheries are managed using 
harvest specifications or limits (e.g., overfishing limits [OFL], 
acceptable biological catch [ABC], annual catch limits [ACL], and 
harvest guidelines [HG]) recommended biennially by the Council and 
based on the best scientific information available at that time (50 CFR 
660.60(b)). During development of the harvest specifications, the 
Council also recommends management measures (e.g., trip limits, area 
closures, and bag limits) that are meant to control catch so as not to 
exceed the harvest specifications. The harvest specifications and 
management measures developed for the 2023-2024 biennium used data 
through the 2021 fishing year. Each of the adjustments to management 
measures discussed below are based on updated fisheries information 
that was unavailable when the analysis for the current harvest 
specifications was completed. As new fisheries data becomes available, 
adjustments to management measures are assessed and associated 
mortality is projected, so as to help harvesters achieve but not exceed 
the harvest limits.

Management Measures for Commercial Fixed Gear, LE and OA Fisheries

Non-Trawl RCA
    At the March 2024 meeting, the Council recommended actions to 
reduce fishing mortality of quillback rockfish and vermillion/sunset 
rockfish, off California, through the 2024 fishing season. Quillback 
rockfish off California is an overfished stock. Vermilion/sunset 
rockfish is managed in a stock complex, however, fishing mortality for 
the stock has exceeded the harvest specification contributions to the 
complex for several years. The recommended actions would reduce fishing 
mortality of these species, while further narrowing the scope of 
restrictions and minimizing the economic impact to fishing communities 
to the extent possible. These included a recommendation to adjust the 
Non-Trawl RCA latitudinal boundaries for the area between lat. 
40[deg]10' N and lat. 36[deg] N (to utilize a boundary at lat. 
37[deg]07' N rather than lat. 36[deg] N), so that the area between lat. 
37[deg]07' N and lat. 34[deg]27' N, from 50 to 75 fathoms (fm), would 
be closed to fishing, and in the area from lat. 40[deg]10' N to lat. 
37[deg]07' N, the 3 nautical mile line to 75fm, would be closed to 
fishing. The recommended non-trawl boundaries, as well as those under 
current regulations are shown in tables 1a and 1b.

Table 1a--Non-Trawl Rockfish Conservation Area Boundaries, South of Lat.
                    40[deg]10' N: Current Regulation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Area (latitude)                 Depth              Months
------------------------------------------------------------------------
40[deg]10' N-36[deg] N..........  Shoreward EEZ-75    January through
                                   fm line.            December.
36[deg] N-34[deg]27' N..........  50-75 fm line.....  January through
                                                       December.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


Table 1b--Non-Trawl Rockfish Conservation Area Boundaries, South of Lat.
                    40[deg]10' N: Council Recommended
------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Area (latitude)                 Depth              Months
------------------------------------------------------------------------
40[deg]10' N-37[deg]07' N.......  Shoreward EEZ-75    January through
                                   fm line.            December.
37[deg]07' N-34[deg]27' N.......  50-75 fm line.....  January through
                                                       December.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Trip Limits
    The recommended modifications of the Non-Trawl RCA in California 
necessitated corresponding changes to the latitude lines designating 
area-specific LE and OA trip limits for lingcod, the other flatfish 
complex, and the minor shelf rockfish complex (defined at Sec.  
660.11), south of lat. 40[deg]10' N (table 2a).
    For the minor shelf rockfish complex south of lat. 40[deg]10' N, in 
the LE fishery; in addition to exchanging the lat. 36[deg] N boundary, 
in favor of the lat. 37[deg]07' N boundary, one latitudinal stratum was 
added with separate trip limits, dividing the area south of lat. 
40[deg]10' N into three strata under Council recommendations, compared 
with two strata under current regulations. The new management area 
boundaries and corresponding trip limits for minor shelf rockfish are 
shown in table 2b.
    For minor shelf rockfish south of lat. 40[deg]10' N, in the OA 
fishery; in addition to exchanging the lat. 36[deg] N boundary, in 
favor of the lat. 37[deg]07' N boundary, one latitudinal stratum was 
added with separate trip limits, dividing the area south of lat. 
40[deg]10' N into three strata under Council recommendations, compared 
with two strata under current regulations. The new management area 
boundaries and corresponding trip limits for minor shelf rockfish are 
shown in table 2b.
    The Council's Groundfish Management Team (GMT) analyzed the 
combination of proposed changes (Agenda Item F.8.a Supplemental GMT 
Report 1, March 2024) to trip limit amounts, by area strata, for minor 
shelf rockfish south of lat. 40[deg]10' N. These combinations included 
a specifically designed balance of modest increases, as well as 
decreases, in trip limits, together with the changes to the Non-Trawl 
RCA boundaries. The GMT found in their analysis that quillback rockfish 
encounters between lat. 36[deg] and 37[deg]07' N have been rare 
throughout the

[[Page 22344]]

relevant time series. Only 0.7 percent of commercial quillback rockfish 
landings occurred south of lat. 37[deg]07' N over the most recent 5-
year period (2019-2023), and only 3.7 percent over a much longer time 
series (1992-2022). As such, the changes in trip limits south of lat. 
37[deg]07' N are congruent with both maintaining adequate access by 
commercial fishers to groundfish resources and the conservation needs 
of quillback rockfish off California, which was recently determined to 
be overfished (NMFS notified the Council of the overfished status 
determination for quillback rockfish on December 14, 2023; Agenda Item 
F.2, Attachment 2, March 2024), and maintaining catches of vermillion/
sunset rockfish at a sustainable level (catches have been high since 
2015).
    Trip limits with corresponding areas are shown in Table 2. 
Recommended changes for the remaining lingcod, other flatfish complex, 
and minor shelf rockfish species did not involve any new limits 
themselves, only the redesignation of the latitudinal boundaries for 
existing limits, in accordance with the new recommended Non-Trawl RCA 
boundaries.

 Table 2a--Trip Limits Under Current Regulation, and Council-Recommendations, for LE and OA Non-Trawl Fisheries,
                                 South of Lat. 40[deg]10' N: Current Regulation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Fleet                   Species           Lat. area                         Limit
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LE............................  Lingcod..........  40[deg]10' N-      1,600 lb (726 kg)/2 months seaward of the
                                                    36[deg] N.         non-trawl RCA; 0 lb/2 months inside the
                                                                       non-trawl RCA.
                                                   South of 36[deg]   1,600 lb (726 kg)/2 months.
                                                    N.
                                Minor shelf        40[deg]10' N-      6,000 lb (2,722 kg)/2 months, of which no
                                 rockfish.          34[deg]27' N.      more than 500 lb (227 kg) may be
                                                                       vermilion/sunset.
                                                   South of           6,000 lb (2,722 kg)/2 months, of which no
                                                    34[deg]27' N.      more than 3,000 lb (1,361 kg) may be
                                                                       vermilion/sunset.
                                Other flatfish...  40[deg]10' N-      10,000 lb (4,536 kg)/month seaward of the
                                                    36[deg] N.         non-trawl RCA; 0 lb/month inside the non-
                                                                       trawl RCA.
                                                   South of 36[deg]   10,000 lb (4,536 kg)/month.
                                                    N.
OA............................  Lingcod..........  40[deg]10' N-      700 lb (318 kg)/2 months seaward of the
                                                    36[deg] N.         non-trawl RCA; 0 lb/2 months inside the
                                                                       non-trawl RCA.
                                                   South of 36[deg]   700 lb (318 kg)/2 months.
                                                    N.
                                Minor shelf        40[deg]10' N-      3,000 lb (1,361 kg)/2 months, of which no
                                 rockfish.          36[deg] N.         more than 300 lb (136 kg) may be
                                                                       vermilion/sunset.
                                                   South of 36[deg]   3,000 lb (1,361 kg)/2 months, of which no
                                                    N.                 more than 900 lb (408 kg) may be
                                                                       vermilion/sunset.
                                Other flatfish...  40[deg]10' N-      5,000 lb (2,268 kg)/month seaward of the
                                                    36[deg] N.         non-trawl RCA; 0 lb/month inside the non-
                                                                       trawl RCA.
                                                   South of 36[deg]   5,000 lb (2,268 kg)/month.
                                                    N.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


 Table 2b--Trip Limits Under Current Regulation, and Council-Recommendations, for LE and OA Non-Trawl Fisheries,
                                 South of Lat. 40[deg]10' N: Council Recommended
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Fleet                   Species              Area                           Limit
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LE............................  Lingcod..........  40[deg]10' N-      1,600 lb (726 kg)/2 months seaward of the
                                                    37[deg]07' N.      non-trawl RCA; 0 lb/2 months inside the
                                                                       non-trawl RCA.
                                                   South of           1,600 lb (726 kg)/2 months.
                                                    37[deg]07' N.
                                Minor shelf        40[deg]10' N-      6,000 lb (2,722 kg)/2 months, of which no
                                 rockfish.          37[deg]07' N.      more than 500 lb (227 kg) may be
                                                                       vermilion/sunset.
                                                   37[deg]07' N-      8,000 lb (3,629 kg)/2 months, of which no
                                                    34[deg]27' N.      more than 500 lb (227 kg) may be
                                                                       vermilion/sunset.
                                                   South of           5,000 lb (2,268 kg)/2 months, of which no
                                                    34[deg]27' N.      more than 3,000 lb (1,361 kg) may be
                                                                       vermilion/sunset.
                                Other flatfish...  40[deg]10' N-      10,000 lb (4,536 kg)/month seaward of the
                                                    37[deg]07' N.      non-trawl RCA; 0 lb/month inside the non-
                                                                       trawl RCA.
                                                   South of           10,000 lb (4,536 kg)/month.
                                                    37[deg]07' N.
OA............................  Lingcod..........  40[deg]10' N-      700 lb (318 kg)/2 months seaward of the
                                                    37[deg]07' N.      non-trawl RCA; 0 lb/2 months inside the
                                                                       non-trawl RCA.
                                                   South of           700 lb (318 kg)/2 months.
                                                    37[deg]07' N.
                                Minor shelf        40[deg]10' N-      3,000 lb (1,361 kg)/2 months, of which no
                                 rockfish.          37[deg]07' N.      more than 300 lb may be vermilion/sunset.
                                                   37[deg]07' N-      4,000 lb (1,8141 kg)/2 months, of which no
                                                    34[deg]27' N.      more than 300 lb may be vermilion/sunset.
                                                   South of           3,000 lb (1,814 kg)/2 months, of which no
                                                    34[deg]27' N.      more than 900 lb may be vermilion/sunset.
                                Other flatfish...  40[deg]10' N-      5,000 lb (2,268 kg)/2 months seaward of
                                                    37[deg]07' N.      the non-trawl RCA; 0 lb/2 months inside
                                                                       the non-trawl RCA.
                                                   South of           5,000 lb (2,268 kg)/month.
                                                    37[deg]07' N.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Pacific Halibut
    At its March 2024 meeting, the Council also recommended new annual 
trip limit ratios for the incidental catch of Pacific halibut in the 
primary (tier) sablefish fishery north of Point Chehalis, Washington, 
starting for the 2024 season. These measures are reviewed each season. 
The Council recommended a trip limit ratio of 130 lb of dressed Pacific 
halibut per 1,000 lb of

[[Page 22345]]

sablefish, plus two additional halibut for the primary fishery north of 
Point Chehalis, as recommended by the Council's Groundfish Advisory 
Subpanel (GAP). This trip limit is a reduction from last year when it 
was 150 lb of dressed Pacific halibut per 1,000 lb of sablefish. The 
GAP related during their discussion of this topic that this reduction 
was likely warranted given the reduction in the overall allocation for 
incidental catch in the sablefish fishery from 70,000 lbs in 2023 to 
50,000 lbs in 2024 (89 FR 19275, March 18, 2024). Additionally, the GAP 
noted that it expects the new trip limit to be an adequate amount to 
utilize the overall allocation and prevent waste of bycatch. If 
necessary, incidental trip limits could be updated later in the year, 
by the Council, through inseason action.

California Recreational Groundfish Fisheries in Federal Waters

    The Council recommended modifications to Federal regulations 
concerning the portion of the California recreational groundfish 
fishery that falls within Federal waters, consistent with California 
state regulations for the fishery. The State of California recently 
revised its state regulations, including changes to season dates and 
depth limits for the California rockfish, cabezon, and greenling (RCG) 
complex as well as for lingcod, and revising a sub-bag limit for 
vermilion/sunset rockfish south of lat. 40[deg]10' N. The Council 
recommended changes were presented to the Council by the California 
Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) (Agenda Item F.8.a Supplemental 
CDFW Report 2 March 2024) in a request for consistent action in federal 
waters, discussed by the GMT, and recommended by the GAP (Agenda Item 
F.8.a Supplemental GAP Report 1 March 2024). The GMT did not analyze 
nor make a recommendation regarding CDFW's proposal. The federal 
regulations for the California recreational groundfish fishery for RCG 
and lingcod that were set at the beginning of 2023 are summarized in 
Table 3, inseason actions that were taken during 2023 are not 
incorporated. The Council recommended regulations for 2024 are 
summarized in Table 4. Table 3 and Table 4 are summaries only. Refer to 
50 CFR 660.360(c)(3)(i)(A) for a detailed description of the California 
recreational groundfish fishery structure.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR01AP24.003


[[Page 22346]]


[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR01AP24.004

Classification

    This final rule makes routine inseason adjustments to the Pacific 
Coast groundfish fishery management measures, based on the best 
scientific information available, consistent with the PCGFMP 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 by contacting Dr. Sean Matson in NMFS West Coast 
Region (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT, above), or to view at the 
NMFS West Coast Groundfish website: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/west-coast-groundfish.
    Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b), NMFS finds good cause to waive prior 
public notice and an opportunity for public comment on this action, as 
notice and comment would be impracticable and contrary to the public 
interest. These revisions are in response to new information about the 
fishery, and to conservation issues that need to be addressed for the 
2024 fishing year. The adjustments to management measures in this 
document increase trip limits and decrease size limits for fisheries 
off California to allow additional economic opportunity, while keeping 
catch within allocations established by the 2023-2024 harvest 
specifications. The GMT found in their analysis that the boundary 
change to the Non-Trawl RCA would likely result in an increase in 
lingcod, cabezon, other flatfish, minor nearshore, and minor shelf 
species catch from lat. 36[deg] N to 37[deg]07' N, while minimizing 
impacts to quillback rockfish, and reducing catch of vermillion/sunset 
rockfish to sustainable levels, within that area. The risk of the 
changes established in this final rule resulting in exceedances of the 
corresponding harvest limits is low, and the risk to quillback rockfish 
is minimal, particularly in areas south of lat. 37[deg]07' N. At the 
same time, the changes would yield positive economic impacts to 
commercial non-trawl fishermen that fish in Federal waters in that 
area. This economic opportunity would not otherwise occur without the 
Non-Trawl RCA boundary move and the associated trip limit changes. This 
rule also makes Council recommended changes to regulations pertaining 
to the California recreational groundfish fishery within federally 
managed waters, in order to create consistency with current state 
regulations within California jurisdiction. This is necessary to ensure 
consistent management and enforcement across the state and federally 
managed fisheries. No aspect of this action is controversial, and 
changes of this nature were anticipated in the final rule for the 2023-
2024 harvest specifications and management measures, which published on 
December 16, 2022 (87 FR 77007).
    Trip limit ratios to cover incidental catch of Pacific halibut in 
the fixed gear sablefish primary (tier) fishery are set annually, in 
alignment with the overall allocation for incidental catch in this 
fishery that is established by NMFS in mid-March of each year. Halibut 
is internationally managed, with specifications that publish out of 
sync with groundfish regulations, and therefore measures to account for 
incidental catch in the sablefish fishery must be updated each year 
through inseason action. Updating these limits in a timely fashion is a 
critical conservation need in the West Coast LE sablefish primary 
(tier) fishery.
    Delaying implementation of this rule to allow for public comment 
would have negative effects on the conservation of California quillback 
rockfish, which was recently determined to be overfished, as well as 
the conservation of vermilion/sunset rockfish, whose catch has been 
unsustainably high in recent years. Delay in implementation would also 
likely reduce the economic benefits to the commercial fishing industry 
and the businesses that rely on that industry, because it is unlikely 
the new regulations would publish and could be

[[Page 22347]]

implemented in time to realize the projected benefits to fishing 
communities and the resource. A delay in implementation could also 
contribute to unnecessarily discarded and largely wasted fish; fish 
which could otherwise be landed to provide food and revenue, and whose 
use would assist in the responsible use of the resource. Therefore, 
providing a comment period for this action could significantly limit 
the economic benefits to the fishery, and would hamper the achievement 
of optimum yield from the affected fisheries.
    Therefore, the NMFS finds reason to waive the 30-day delay in 
effectiveness pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(1) so that this final rule 
may become effective upon publication in the Federal Register. The 
adjustments to management measures in this document affect fisheries by 
increasing opportunity and allowing greater economic benefit. These 
adjustments were requested by the Council's advisory bodies, as well as 
by members of industry during the Council's March 2024 meeting, and the 
changes are recommended unanimously by the Council. No aspect of this 
action is controversial, and changes of this nature were anticipated in 
the biennial harvest specifications and management measures established 
through a notice and comment rulemaking for 2023-2024 (87 FR 77007).

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 660

    Fisheries, Fishing, Indian fisheries.

Carrie Diane Robinson,
Acting Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National 
Marine Fisheries Service.

    For the reasons set out in the preamble, NMFS amends 50 CFR part 
660 as follows:

PART 660--FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES

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

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


0
2. In Sec.  660.231, revise paragraph (b)(3)(iv) to read as follows:
* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (3) * * *
    (iv) Incidental Pacific halibut retention north of Pt. Chehalis, WA 
(46[deg]53.30' N lat.). From April 1 through the closure date set by 
the International Pacific Halibut Commission for Pacific halibut in all 
commercial fisheries, vessels authorized to participate in the 
sablefish primary fishery, licensed by the International Pacific 
Halibut Commission for commercial fishing in Area 2A (waters off 
Washington, Oregon, California), and fishing with longline gear north 
of Pt. Chehalis, WA (46[deg]53.30' N lat.) may possess and land up to 
130 lb (59 kg) dressed weight of Pacific halibut for every 1,000 lb 
(454 kg) dressed weight of sablefish landed, and up to two additional 
Pacific halibut in excess of the 130-lbs-per-1,000-lb limit per 
landing. NMFS publishes the International Pacific Halibut Commission's 
regulations setting forth annual management measures, including the 
closure date for Pacific halibut in all commercial fisheries, in the 
Federal Register by March 15 each year, 50 CFR 300.62. ``Dressed'' 
Pacific halibut in this area means halibut landed eviscerated with 
their heads on. Pacific halibut taken and retained in the sablefish 
primary fishery north of Pt. Chehalis may only be landed north of Pt. 
Chehalis and may not be possessed or landed south of Pt. Chehalis.
* * * * *

0
3. Revise table 2 (South) to part 660, subpart E, to read as follows:
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

[[Page 22348]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR01AP24.000


0
4. Revise table 3 (South) to part 660, subpart F, to read as follows:

[[Page 22349]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR01AP24.001


[[Page 22350]]


[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR01AP24.002

BILLING CODE 3510-22-C

0
5. In Sec.  660.360, revise paragraphs (c)(3)(i)(A)(1) through (5), 
(c)(3)(ii)(A)(1) through (5), (c)(3)(ii)(B), and (c)(3)(iii)(A)(1) 
through (5) to read as follows:


Sec.  660.360  Recreational fishery--management measures.

* * * * *
    (c) * * *
    (3) * * *
    (i) * * *
    (A) * * *
    (1) Between 42[deg] N lat. (California/Oregon border) and 
40[deg]10' N lat. (Northern Management Area), recreational fishing for 
the RCG Complex and lingcod is closed in the EEZ from January 1 through 
March 31, is prohibited in the EEZ shoreward of the boundary line 
approximating the 50 fm (91 m) depth contour along the mainland coast 
and along islands and offshore seamounts from April 1 through April 30, 
is closed in the EEZ from May 1 to September 30, is prohibited in the 
EEZ shoreward of the boundary line approximating the 50 fm (91 m) depth 
contour along the mainland coast and along islands and offshore 
seamounts from October 1 through October 31, closed in the EEZ from 
November 1 through November 30, and prohibited in the EEZ shoreward of 
the boundary line approximating the 50 fm (91 m) depth contour along 
the mainland coast and along islands and offshore seamounts from 
December 1 through December 31.
    (2) Between 40[deg]10' N lat. and 38[deg]57.50' N lat. (Mendocino 
Management Area), recreational fishing for the RCG Complex and lingcod 
is closed from in the EEZ from January 1 through March 31, is 
prohibited in the EEZ shoreward of the boundary line approximating the 
50 fm (91 m) depth contour along the mainland coast and along islands 
and offshore seamounts from April 1 through April 30, is closed in the 
EEZ from May 1 to September 30, is prohibited in the EEZ shoreward of 
the boundary line approximating the 50 fm (91 m) depth contour along 
the mainland coast and along islands and offshore seamounts from 
October 1 through October 31, closed in the EEZ from November 1 through 
November 30, and prohibited in the EEZ shoreward of the boundary line 
approximating the 50 fm (91 m) depth contour along the mainland coast 
and along islands and offshore seamounts from December 1 through 
December 31.
    (3) Between 38[deg]57.50' N lat. and 37[deg]11' N lat. (San 
Francisco Management Area), recreational fishing for the RCG Complex 
and lingcod is closed in the EEZ from January 1 through March 31, is 
prohibited in the EEZ shoreward of the boundary line approximating the 
50 fm (91 m) depth contour along the mainland coast and along islands 
and offshore seamounts from April 1 through April 30, is closed in the 
EEZ from May 1 to September 30, is prohibited in the EEZ shoreward of

[[Page 22351]]

the boundary line approximating the 50 fm (91 m) depth contour along 
the mainland coast and along islands and offshore seamounts from 
October 1 through October 31, closed in the EEZ from November 1 through 
November 30, and prohibited in the EEZ shoreward of the boundary line 
approximating the 50 fm (91 m) depth contour along the mainland coast 
and along islands and offshore seamounts from December 1 through 
December 31. Closures around Cordell Bank (see paragraph (c)(3)(i)(C) 
of this section) also apply in this area.
    (4) Between 37[deg]11' N lat. and 34[deg]27' N lat. (Central 
Management Area),
    (i) Between 37[deg]11' N lat. and 36[deg] N lat., recreational 
fishing for the RCG Complex and lingcod is closed in the EEZ from 
January 1 through March 31, is prohibited in the EEZ shoreward of the 
boundary line approximating the 50 fm (91 m) depth contour along the 
mainland coast and along islands and offshore seamounts from April 1 
through April 30, is closed in the EEZ from May 1 to September 30, is 
prohibited in the EEZ shoreward of the boundary line approximating the 
50 fm (91 m) depth contour along the mainland coast and along islands 
and offshore seamounts from October 1 through October 31, closed in the 
EEZ from November 1 through November 30, and prohibited in the EEZ 
shoreward of the boundary line approximating the 50 fm (91 m) depth 
contour along the mainland coast and along islands and offshore 
seamounts from December 1 through December 31.
    (ii) Between 36[deg] N lat. and 34[deg]27' N lat., recreational 
fishing for the RCG Complex and lingcod is closed from January 1 
through March 31, is open at all depths from April 1 through June 30; 
is prohibited in the EEZ seaward of a boundary line approximating the 
50 fm (91 m) depth contour along the mainland coast and along islands 
and offshore seamounts from July 1 through September 30, and is 
prohibited in the EEZ shoreward of a boundary line approximating the 50 
fm (91 m) depth contour along the mainland coast and along islands and 
offshore seamounts from October 1 through December 31.
    (5) South of 34[deg]27' N lat. (Southern Management Area), 
recreational fishing for the RCG Complex and lingcod is closed from 
January 1 through March 31, open at all depths from April 1 through 
June 30; is prohibited in the EEZ seaward of a boundary line 
approximating the 50 fm (91 m) depth contour along the mainland coast 
and along islands and offshore seamounts from July 1 through September 
30, and is prohibited in the EEZ shoreward of a boundary line 
approximating the 50 fm (91 m) depth contour along the mainland coast 
and along islands and offshore seamounts from October 1 through 
December 31.
* * * * *
    (ii) * * *
    (A) * * *
    (1) Between 42[deg] N lat. (California/Oregon border) and 
40[deg]10' N lat. (Northern Management Area), recreational fishing for 
the RCG Complex and lingcod is closed in the EEZ from January 1 through 
March 31, is prohibited in the EEZ shoreward of the boundary line 
approximating the 50 fm (91 m) depth contour along the mainland coast 
and along islands and offshore seamounts from April 1 through April 30, 
is closed in the EEZ from May 1 to September 30, is prohibited in the 
EEZ shoreward of the boundary line approximating the 50 fm (91 m) depth 
contour along the mainland coast and along islands and offshore 
seamounts from October 1 through October 31, closed in the EEZ from 
November 1 through November 30, and prohibited in the EEZ shoreward of 
the boundary line approximating the 50 fm (91 m) depth contour along 
the mainland coast and along islands and offshore seamounts from 
December 1 through December 31.
    (2) Between 40[deg]10' N lat. and 38[deg]57.50' N lat. (Mendocino 
Management Area), recreational fishing for the RCG Complex and lingcod 
is closed from in the EEZ from January 1 through March 31, is 
prohibited in the EEZ shoreward of the boundary line approximating the 
50 fm (91 m) depth contour along the mainland coast and along islands 
and offshore seamounts from April 1 through April 30, is closed in the 
EEZ from May 1 to September 30, is prohibited in the EEZ shoreward of 
the boundary line approximating the 50 fm (91 m) depth contour along 
the mainland coast and along islands and offshore seamounts from 
October 1 through October 31, closed in the EEZ from November 1 through 
November 30, and prohibited in the EEZ shoreward of the boundary line 
approximating the 50 fm (91 m) depth contour along the mainland coast 
and along islands and offshore seamounts from December 1 through 
December 31.
    (3) Between 38[deg]57.50' N lat. and 37[deg]11' N lat. (San 
Francisco Management Area), recreational fishing for the RCG Complex 
and lingcod is closed in the EEZ from January 1 through March 31, is 
prohibited in the EEZ shoreward of the boundary line approximating the 
50 fm (91 m) depth contour along the mainland coast and along islands 
and offshore seamounts from April 1 through April 30, is closed in the 
EEZ from May 1 to September 30, is prohibited in the EEZ shoreward of 
the boundary line approximating the 50 fm (91 m) depth contour along 
the mainland coast and along islands and offshore seamounts from 
October 1 through October 31, closed in the EEZ from November 1 through 
November 30, and prohibited in the EEZ shoreward of the boundary line 
approximating the 50 fm (91 m) depth contour along the mainland coast 
and along islands and offshore seamounts from December 1 through 
December 31. Closures around Cordell Bank (see paragraph (c)(3)(i)(C) 
of this section) also apply in this area.
    (4) Between 37[deg]11' N lat. and 34[deg]27' N lat. (Central 
Management Area),
    (i) Between 37[deg]11' N lat. and 36[deg] N lat., recreational 
fishing for the RCG Complex and lingcod is closed in the EEZ from 
January 1 through March 31, is prohibited in the EEZ shoreward of the 
boundary line approximating the 50 fm (91 m) depth contour along the 
mainland coast and along islands and offshore seamounts from April 1 
through April 30, is closed in the EEZ from May 1 to September 30, is 
prohibited in the EEZ shoreward of the boundary line approximating the 
50 fm (91 m) depth contour along the mainland coast and along islands 
and offshore seamounts from October 1 through October 31, closed in the 
EEZ from November 1 through November 30, and prohibited in the EEZ 
shoreward of the boundary line approximating the 50 fm (91 m) depth 
contour along the mainland coast and along islands and offshore 
seamounts from December 1 through December 31.
    (ii) Between 36[deg] N lat. and 34[deg]27' N lat., recreational 
fishing for the RCG Complex and lingcod is closed from January 1 
through March 31, is open at all depths from April 1 through June 30; 
is prohibited in the EEZ seaward of a boundary line approximating the 
50 fm (91 m) depth contour along the mainland coast and along islands 
and offshore seamounts from July 1 through September 30, and is 
prohibited in the EEZ shoreward of a boundary line approximating the 50 
fm (91 m) depth contour along the mainland coast and along islands and 
offshore seamounts from October 1 through December 31.
    (5) South of 34[deg]27' N lat. (Southern Management Area), 
recreational fishing for the RCG Complex and lingcod is closed from 
January 1 through March 31, open at all depths from April 1 through 
June 30; is prohibited in the EEZ seaward of a boundary line 
approximating the 50 fm (91 m) depth contour along the mainland coast 
and along islands and offshore seamounts

[[Page 22352]]

from July 1 through September 30, and is prohibited in the EEZ 
shoreward of a boundary line approximating the 50 fm (91 m) depth 
contour along the mainland coast and along islands and offshore 
seamounts from October 1 through December 31.
    (B) Bag limits, hook limits. In times and areas when the 
recreational season for the RCG Complex is open, there is a limit of 
two hooks and one line when fishing for the RCG complex. The bag limit 
is 10 RCG Complex fish per day coastwide, with a sub-bag limit of 4 
fish for vermilion rockfish between 42[deg] N lat. and 40[deg]10 N 
lat., a sub-bag limit of 2 fish for vermilion/sunset rockfish south of 
40[deg]10 N lat., and 1 fish for copper rockfish. These sub-bag limits 
count towards the bag limit for the RCG Complex and are not in addition 
to that limit. Retention of yelloweye rockfish, bronzespotted rockfish, 
quillback rockfish, and cowcod is prohibited. Multi-day limits are 
authorized by a valid permit issued by California and must not exceed 
the daily limit multiplied by the value of days in the fishing trip.
* * * * *
    (iii) * * *
    (A) * * *
    (1) Between 42[deg] N lat. (California/Oregon border) and 
40[deg]10' N lat. (Northern Management Area), recreational fishing for 
lingcod in the EEZ is open from April 1 through April 30, October 1 
through October 31, and December 1 through December 31 (i.e., 
recreational fishing for lingcod in the EEZ is closed from January 1 
through March 31, May 1 through September 30, and November 1 through 
November 30).
    (2) Between 40[deg]10' N lat. and 38[deg]57.50' N lat. (Mendocino 
Management Area), recreational fishing for lingcod in the EEZ is open 
from April 1 through April 30, October 1 through October 31, and 
December 1 through December 31 (i.e., recreational fishing for lingcod 
in the EEZ is closed from January 1 through March 31, May 1 through 
September 30, and November 1 through November 30).
    (3) Between 38[deg]57.50' N lat. and 37[deg]11' N lat. (San 
Francisco Management Area), recreational fishing for lingcod in the EEZ 
is open from April 1 through April 30, October 1 through October 31, 
and December 1 through December 31 (i.e., recreational fishing for 
lingcod in the EEZ is closed from January 1 through March 31, May 1 
through September 30, and November 1 through November 30).
    (4) Between 37[deg]11' N lat. and 34[deg]27' N lat. (Central 
Management Area),
    (i) Between 37[deg]11' N lat. and 36[deg] N lat., recreational 
fishing for lingcod in the EEZ is open from April 1 through April 30, 
October 1 through October 31, and December 1 through December 31 (i.e., 
recreational fishing for lingcod is closed in the EEZ from January 1 
through March 31, May 1 through September 30, and November 1 through 
November 30).
    (ii) Between 36[deg] N lat. and 34[deg]27' N lat., recreational 
fishing for lingcod in the EEZ is open from April 1 through December 31 
(i.e., recreational fishing for the lingcod in the EEZ is closed from 
January 1 through March 31).
    (5) South of 34[deg]27' N lat. (Southern Management Area), 
recreational fishing for lingcod in the EEZ is open from April 1 
through December 31 (i.e., recreational fishing for lingcod in the EEZ 
is closed from January 1 through March 31).
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 2024-06775 Filed 3-29-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P