Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Fisheries off West Coast States; Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery; Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan; Amendment 32

Table 1—Vessel Participation in Affected Groundfish Non-Trawl Sectors, 2019–2022

Fishery	Vessels (n)
Range	Average
Open Access	573–681	614
Limited Entry Fixed Gear	113–138	123
IFQ- Gear Switching	9–16	12
Directed Halibut	81–99	88
CA Recreational (CPFV)	178–195	97

Dated: August 22, 2023.

Samuel D. Rauch, III,

Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine Fisheries Service.

(f) Area 2A Non-Treaty Commercial Fishery Closed Areas.

(1) Nontrawl Rockfish Conservation Area (RCA). Non-tribal commercial vessels operating in the directed commercial fishery for halibut in Area 2A are prohibited from fishing within a groundfish closed area known as the nontrawl RCA. Nontrawl RCA boundaries are defined by specific latitude and longitude coordinates that approximate depth contours. Between the U.S./Canada border and 46°16′ N lat., the shoreward boundary of the nontrawl RCA is the EEZ. Between 46°16′ N lat. and 40°10′ N lat., the shoreward boundary of the nontrawl RCA is a line approximating the 30-fm (55-m) depth contour, or the shoreward boundary of the EEZ, whichever is more seaward. Coordinates for the 30-fm (55-m) boundary are listed at 50 CFR 660.71(e). Between the U.S./Canada border and 46°16′ N lat., the seaward boundary of the nontrawl RCA is a line approximating the 100-fm (183-m) depth contour. Coordinates for the 100-fm (183-m) boundary are listed at 50 CFR 660.73(a). Between 46°16′ N lat. and 40°10′ N lat., the seaward boundary of the nontrawl RCA is a line approximating the 75-fm (137-m) depth contour. Coordinates for the 75-fm (137-m) boundary are listed at 50 CFR 660.72(j).

(2) North Coast Commercial Yelloweye Rockfish Conservation Area (YRCA). YRCAs are defined in the groundfish regulations at 50 CFR 660.70. Vessels that incidentally catch halibut while fishing in the sablefish primary fishery are required to follow area closures and gear restrictions defined in the groundfish regulations. It is unlawful to take and retain, possess (except for the purpose of continuous transit) or land halibut with limited entry longline gear within the North Coast Commercial Yelloweye Rockfish Conservation Area. All fishing gear for targeting halibut must be stowed while transiting through the North Coast Commercial YRCA when the closure is in effect.

(3) Salmon Troll YRCA. YRCAs are defined in the groundfish regulations at 50 CFR 660.70 and in the salmon regulations at 50 CFR 660.405(c). Non-tribal commercial vessels that incidentally catch halibut while fishing in the salmon troll fishery are prohibited from fishing within a closed area known as the Salmon Troll YRCA. It is unlawful for commercial salmon troll vessels to take and retain, possess (except for the purpose of continuous transit) or land halibut within the Salmon Troll YRCA. All fishing gear for targeting halibut must be stowed while transiting through the Salmon Troll YRCA when the closure is in effect.

(4) Tillamook YRCA. YRCAs are defined in the groundfish regulations at 50 CFR 660.70. It is unlawful for non-tribal commercial vessels operating in the directed halibut fishery in Area 2A to take and retain, possess (except for the purpose of continuous transit) or land halibut within the Tillamook YRCA. All fishing gear for targeting halibut must be stowed while transiting through the Tillamook YRCA when the closure is in effect. The closure is not in effect at this time.

(5) Newport YRCA. YRCAs are defined in the groundfish regulations at 50 CFR 660.70. It is unlawful for non-tribal commercial vessels operating in the directed halibut fishery in Area 2A to take and retain, or possess (except for the purpose of continuous transit) or land halibut within the Newport YRCA. All fishing gear for targeting halibut must be stowed while transiting through the Newport YRCA when the closure is in effect. The closure is not in effect at this time.

(6) Florence YRCA. YRCAs are defined in the groundfish regulations at 50 CFR 660.70. It is unlawful for non-tribal commercial vessels operating in the directed halibut fishery in Area 2A to take and retain, possess (except for the purpose of continuous transit) or land halibut within the Florence YRCA. All fishing gear for targeting halibut must be stowed while transiting through the Florence YRCA when the closure is in effect. The closure is not in effect at this time.

(7) Heceta Bank YRCA. YRCAs are defined in the groundfish regulations at 50 CFR 660.70. It is unlawful for non-tribal commercial vessels operating in the directed halibut fishery in Area 2A to take and retain, possess (except for the purpose of continuous transit) or land halibut within the Heceta Bank YRCA. All fishing gear for targeting halibut must be stowed while transiting through the Heceta Bank YRCA when the closure is in effect.

(8) Nehalem Bank East Essential Fish Habitat Conservation Area (EFHCA). EFHCAs are defined in the groundfish regulations at 50 CFR 660.70. It is unlawful for non-tribal commercial vessels operating in the directed halibut fishery in Area 2A to take and retain, possess (except for the purpose of continuous transit) or land halibut within the Nehalem Bank East EFHCA. All fishing gear for targeting halibut must be stowed while transiting through the Nehalem Bank East EFCHA.

(9) Garibaldi Reef North EFHCA. EFHCAs are defined in the groundfish regulations at 50 CFR 660.70. It is unlawful for non-tribal commercial vessels operating in the directed halibut fishery in Area 2A to take and retain, possess (except for the purpose of continuous transit) or land halibut within the Garibaldi Reef North EFHCA. All fishing gear for targeting halibut must be stowed while transiting through the Garibaldi Reef North EFCHA.

(10) Garibaldi Reef South EFHCA. EFHCAs are defined in the groundfish regulations at 50 CFR 660.70. It is unlawful for non-tribal commercial vessels operating in the directed halibut fishery in Area 2A to take and retain, possess (except for the purpose of continuous transit) or land halibut within the Garibaldi Reef South EFHCA. All fishing gear for targeting halibut must be stowed while transiting through the Garibaldi Reef South EFCHA.

(11) Arago Reef West EFHCA. EFHCAs are defined in the groundfish regulations at 50 CFR 660.70. It is unlawful for non-tribal commercial vessels operating in the directed halibut fishery in Area 2A take and retain, possess (except for the purpose of continuous transit) or land halibut within the Arago Reef EFHCA. All fishing gear for targeting halibut must be stowed while transiting through the Arago Reef West EFCHA.

(12) Bandon High Spot East EFHCA. EFHCAs are defined in the groundfish regulations at 50 CFR 660.70. It is unlawful for non-tribal commercial vessels operating in the directed halibut fishery in Area 2A to take and retain, possess (except for the purpose of continuous transit) or land halibut within the Bandon High Spot East EFHCA. All fishing gear for targeting halibut must be stowed while transiting through the Bandon High Spot East EFCHA.

Artificial lure means any manufactured or man-made non-scented/non-flavored (regardless if scent or flavor is added in the manufacturing process or added afterwards) device complete with hooks, intended to attract fish. Artificial lures include, but are not limited to: spoons, spinners, artificial flies, and plugs. Artificial lures are made of metal, plastic, wood, or other non-edible materials.

Bait (natural or artificial) means any substance which attracts fish. Natural bait includes any natural biological substance used to attract or catch fish ( e.g., herring/fish eggs). Artificial bait includes any manufactured device used to attract or catch fish.

Conservation area(s) * * *

(1) Groundfish Conservation Area or GCA means a conservation area created or modified and enforced to control catch of groundfish or protected species. Regulations at § 660.60(c)(3) describe the various purposes for which NMFS may implement certain types of GCAs through routine management measures. Regulations at § 660.70 further describe and define coordinates for certain GCAs, including: Yelloweye Rockfish Conservation Areas; Cowcod Conservation Areas; Groundfish Exclusion Areas; waters encircling the Farallon Islands; and waters encircling the Cordell Bank. GCAs also include depth-based closures bounded by lines approximating depth contours, including Bycatch Reduction Areas or BRAs, or bounded by depth contours and lines of latitude, including Block Area Closures, or BACs, and Rockfish Conservation Areas, or RCAs, which may be closed to fishing with particular gear types. BRA, BAC, and RCA boundaries may change seasonally according to conservation needs. Regulations at §§ 660.71 through 660.74, and § 660.76 define depth-based boundary lines with latitude/longitude coordinates that may be used to enact depth-based closures. Regulations in this section describe commonly used geographic coordinates that define lines of latitude. Fishing prohibitions associated with GCAs are in addition to those associated with other conservation areas.

(i) Block Area Closures or BACs are bounded on the north and south by commonly used geographic coordinates defined in this section, and on the east and west by the EEZ, and boundary lines approximating depth contours, defined with latitude and longitude coordinates at §§ 660.71 through 660.74 (10 fm (18 m) through 250 fm (457 m)), and § 660.76 (700 fm (1,280 m)). BACs may be implemented or modified as routine management measures, per the provisions of § 660.60(c). BACs may be implemented to control catch of groundfish by vessels taking and retaining groundfish in the EEZ seaward of Washington, Oregon and California for vessels using any gear type (trawl or non-trawl). BACs may be implemented to minimize bycatch of Chinook salmon and coho salmon by bottom trawl or midwater trawl vessels in the EEZ seaward of Oregon and California, and by midwater trawl vessels in the EEZ seaward of Washington, but shoreward of the boundary line approximating the 250 fm (457 m) depth contour as defined in § 660.74. BACs may vary in their geographic boundaries, duration, and the gears to which they apply. Their geographic boundaries, applicable gear type(s) and/or specific fishery program, and effective dates will be announced in the Federal Register . BACs may be implemented within tribal Usual and Accustomed fishing areas but may only apply to non-tribal vessels. BACs may have a specific termination date as described in the Federal Register , or may be in effect until modified. BACs that are in effect until modified by NMFS are set out in the trip limit tables of subparts D through F of this part.

(vi) Groundfish Exclusion Areas or GEAs are defined at § 660.70.

Weighted gear means any fishing gear that is combined with an object intended to make the bait, lure or hook sink ( e.g. lead or steel sinkers).

(a) * * *

(19) Fish for, take and retain, possess (except for the purpose of continuous transiting) or land any species of groundfish with groundfish non-trawl bottom contact gear (defined at § 660.11) in the following EFHCAs: Arago Reef West, Bandon High Spot East, Garibaldi Reef North, Garibaldi Reef South, and Nehalem Bank East.

(21) Fish for, take and retain, possess (except for the purpose of continuous transiting) or land any species of groundfish in a Block Area Closure enacted under subparts C through F of this part.

(d) * * *

(4) * * *

(iv) * * *

(A) * * *

( 30) Limited entry fixed gear non-bottom contact stationary vertical jig gear (allowed inside or outside the nontrawl RCA) (declaration code 12);

( 31) Limited entry fixed gear non-bottom contact groundfish troll gear (allowed inside or outside the nontrawl RCA) (declaration code 13);

( 32) Limited entry groundfish non-trawl, shorebased IFQ, non-bottom contact stationary vertical jig gear (allowed inside or outside the nontrawl RCA) (declaration code 14);

( 33) Limited entry groundfish non-trawl, shorebased IFQ, non-bottom contact groundfish troll gear (allowed inside or outside the nontrawl RCA) (declaration code 15);

(d) * * *

(4) VMS exemptions. A vessel that is required to operate and maintain the mobile transceiver unit continuously 24 hours a day throughout the fishing year may be exempted from this requirement if a valid exemption report, as described at paragraph (d)(4)(ix) of this section, is received by NMFS OLE and the vessel is in compliance with all conditions and requirements of the VMS exemption identified in this section and specified in the exemption report.

(iii) Permit exemption. If the limited entry permit had a change in vessel registration so that it is no longer registered to the vessel (for the purposes of this section, this includes permits placed into “unidentified” status), the vessel may be exempted from VMS requirements providing the vessel is not used in a fishery requiring VMS off the States of Washington, Oregon or California (0–200 nm offshore) for the remainder of the fishing year. If the vessel is used to fish in this area for any species of fish at any time during the remaining portion of the fishing year without being registered to a limited entry permit, the vessel is required to have and use VMS.

(iv) Long-term departure exemption. A vessel participating in the open access fishery that is required to have VMS under paragraph (b)(2) of this section may be exempted from VMS provisions after the end of the fishing year in which it used non-groundfish trawl gear, providing the vessel submits a completed exemption report signed by the vessel owner that includes a statement signed by the vessel owner indicating that the vessel will not use non-groundfish trawl gear to fish in the EEZ during the new fishing year/A vessel participating in the open access fishery that is required to have VMS under paragraph (b)(3) of this section also may be exempted from VMS provisions after the end of the fishing year in which it fished in the open access fishery, providing the vessel submits a completed exemption report signed by the vessel owner that includes a statement signed by the vessel owner indicating that the vessel will not be used to take and retain or possess groundfish in the EEZ or land groundfish taken in the EEZ during the new fishing year.

(v) Maintenance Exemption. When it is anticipated that a vessel will be without power or in a maintenance condition for more than 4 consecutive hours, preventing operation of the vessel's VMS unit, and if a valid exemption report has been received by NMFS OLE, electrical power to the VMS mobile transceiver unit may be removed and transmissions may be discontinued. Under this exemption, VMS transmissions can be discontinued from the time the vessel is in the maintenance condition until the time the maintenance is completed.

(vi) Sale of Vessel Exemption. When a new vessel owner purchases a vessel with VMS and does not intend to participate in an activity requiring VMS, but the previous vessel owner had not received a VMS exemption prior to the sale, VMS transmissions may be discontinued by the new vessel owner. Under this exemption, VMS transmissions can be discontinued indefinitely, upon purchase of the vessel, and no subsequent VMS transmissions will be required unless the new vessel owner engages in an activity requiring VMS.

(vii) Emergency exemption. Vessels required to have VMS under paragraph (b) of this section may be exempted from VMS provisions in emergency situations that are beyond the vessel owner's control, including but not limited to: Fire, flooding, or extensive physical damage to critical areas of the vessel. A vessel owner may apply for an emergency exemption from the VMS requirements specified in paragraph (b) of this section for his/her vessel by sending a written request to NMFS OLE specifying the following information: The reasons for seeking an exemption, including any supporting documents ( e.g., repair invoices, photographs showing damage to the vessel, insurance claim forms, etc.); the time period for which the exemption is requested; and the location of the vessel while the exemption is in effect. NMFS OLE will issue a written determination granting or denying the emergency exemption request. A vessel will not be covered by the emergency exemption until NMFS OLE issues a determination granting the exemption. If an exemption is granted, the duration of the exemption will be specified in the NMFS OLE determination.

(viii) Submission of exemption reports. Signed long-term departure exemption reports must be submitted by fax or by emailing an electronic copy of the actual report. In the event of an emergency in which an emergency exemption request will be submitted, initial contact with NMFS OLE must be made by telephone, fax or email within 24 hours from when the incident occurred. Emergency exemption requests must be requested in writing within 72 hours from when the incident occurred. Maintenance exemption requests must include signed written documentation of the work being done and the name of the company doing the work, if applicable. Sale of Vessel exemption requests must include documentation of purchase of the vessel by the new owner. Other exemption reports must be submitted through the VMS or another method that is approved by NMFS OLE and announced in the Federal Register . Submission methods for exemption requests, except maintenance, sale of vessel, long-term departures and emergency exemption requests, may include email, facsimile, or telephone. NMFS OLE will provide, through appropriate media, instructions to the public on submitting exemption reports. Instructions and other information needed to make exemption reports may be mailed to the vessel owner's address of record. NMFS will bear no responsibility if a notification is sent to the address of record for the vessel owner and is not received because the vessel owner's actual address has changed without notification to NMFS. Owners of vessels required to use VMS who do not receive instructions by mail are responsible for contacting NMFS OLE during business hours at least 3 days before the exemption is required to be submitted to obtain information needed to make exemption reports. NMFS OLE must be contacted during business hours (Monday through Friday between 0800 and 1700 Pacific Time).

(ix) Valid exemption reports. For an exemption report to be valid, it must be received by NMFS at least 2 hours and not more than 24 hours before the exempted activities defined at paragraphs (d)(4)(i) through (vi) of this section occur. An exemption report is valid until NMFS receives a report canceling the exemption. An exemption cancellation must be received at least 2 hours before the vessel re-enters the EEZ following an outside areas exemption; at least 2 hours before the vessel is placed back in the water following a haul out exemption; at least 2 hours before the vessel operates following a maintenance exemption; at least 2 hours before the vessel resumes fishing for a species of fish or with gear requiring VMS in state or Federal waters off the States of Washington, Oregon, or California after it has received a permit exemption; or at least 2 hours before a vessel resumes fishing in the open access fishery after a long-term departure exemption. If a vessel is required to submit an activation report under paragraph (d)(2)(i) of this section before returning to fish, that report may substitute for the exemption cancellation. Initial contact must be made with NMFS OLE not more than 24 hours after the time that an emergency situation occurred in which VMS transmissions were disrupted and followed by a written emergency exemption request within 72 hours from when the incident occurred. If the emergency situation upon which an emergency exemption is based is resolved before the exemption expires, an exemption cancellation must be received by NMFS at least 2 hours before the vessel resumes fishing.

(c) * * *

(3) * * *

(i) * * *

(C) Block Area Closures. BACs, as defined at § 660.11, may be closed or reopened, in the EEZ off Washington, Oregon and California, for vessels taking and retaining groundfish using any gear (trawl or non-trawl) in the EEZ consistent with the purposes described in this paragraph (c)(3)(i).

(h) * * *

(7) * * *

(ii) * * *

(A) Fishing in limited entry and open access fisheries with different trip limits. Open access trip limits apply to any fishing conducted with open access gear, even if the vessel has a valid limited entry permit with an endorsement for another type of gear. A vessel that fishes in both the open access and limited entry fisheries is not entitled to two separate trip limits for the same species. If a vessel has a limited entry permit registered to it at any time during the trip limit period and uses open access gear, but the open access limit is smaller than the limited entry limit, the open access limit may not be exceeded and counts toward the limited entry allocation as established under the biennial groundfish harvest specifications. If a vessel has a limited entry permit registered to it at any time during the trip limit period and uses open access gear, but the open access limit is larger than the limited entry limit, the smaller limited entry limit applies, even if taken entirely with open access gear. These provisions do not apply to:

( 1) IFQ species (defined at § 660.140(c)) for vessels that are declared into the Shorebased IFQ Program (see § 660.13(d)(4)(iv)(A)) for valid Shorebased IFQ Program declarations).

( 2) Vessels with a valid limited entry permit endorsed for longline and/or pot gear fishing inside the nontrawl RCA with stationary vertical jig gear or groundfish troll gear as defined at § 660.320(b)(6). Vessels fishing with one of these two approved hook-and-line gear configurations may fish up to the limited entry fixed gear trip limits in Table 2 (North) and Table 2 (South) of subpart E, either inside or outside the nontrawl RCA. This provision only applies on fishing trips where the vessel made the appropriate declaration (specified at § 660.13(d)(4)(iv)(A)).

(g) Tillamook YRCA. The Tillamook YRCA is an area off northern Oregon intended to protect yelloweye rockfish. The Tillamook YRCA is defined by straight lines connecting the following specific latitude and longitude coordinates in the order listed:

(1) 45°40.96′ N lat.; 124°27.52′ W long.;

(2) 45°40.96′ N lat.; 124°19.99′ W long.;

(3) 45°34.44′ N lat.; 124°14.48′ W long.;

(4) 45°31.93′ N lat.; 124°14.05′ W long.;

(5) 45°32.93′ N lat.; 124°22.54′ W long.;

(6) 45°36.95′ N lat.; 124°24.45′ W long.;

(7) 45°38.89′ N lat.; 124°25.92′ W long.; and connecting back to 45°40.96′ N lat.; 124°27.52′ W long.

(h) Newport YRCA. The Newport YRCA is an area off central Oregon intended to protect yelloweye rockfish. The Newport YRCA is defined by straight lines connecting the following specific latitude and longitude coordinates in the order listed:

(1) 44°46.00′ N lat.; 124°32.57′ W long.;

(2) 44°46.00′ N lat.; 124°32.00′ W long.;

(3) 44°42.00′ N lat.; 124°30.00′ W long.;

(4) 44°39.00′ N lat.; 124°30.00′ W long.;

(5) 44°39.00′ N lat.; 124°34.00′ W long.;

(6) 44°43.16′ N lat.; 124°34.00′ W long.;

(7) 44°44.54′ N lat.; 124°33.58′ W long.; and connecting back to 44°46.00′ N lat.; 124°32.57′ W long.

(i) Stonewall Bank Yelloweye Rockfish Conservation Area. The Stonewall Bank YRCA is an area off central Oregon, near Stonewall Bank, intended to protect yelloweye rockfish. The Stonewall Bank YRCA is defined by straight lines connecting the following specific latitude and longitude coordinates in the order listed:

(1) 44°37.46′ N lat.; 124°24.92′ W long.;

(2) 44°37.46′ N lat.; 124°23.63′ W long.;

(3) 44°28.71′ N lat.; 124°21.80′ W long.;

(4) 44°28.71′ N lat.; 124°24.10′ W long.;

(5) 44°31.42′ N lat.; 124°25.47′ W long.; and connecting back to 44°37.46′ N lat.; 124°24.92′ W long.

(j) Stonewall Bank Yelloweye Rockfish Conservation Area, Expansion 1. The Stonewall Bank Yelloweye Rockfish Conservation Area (YRCA) Expansion 1 is an area off central Oregon, near Stonewall Bank, intended to protect yelloweye rockfish. The Stonewall Bank YRCA Expansion 1 is defined by straight lines connecting the following specific latitude and longitude coordinates in the order listed:

(1) 44°41.76′ N lat.; 124°30.02′ W long.;

(2) 44°41.73′ N lat.; 124°21.60′ W long.;

(3) 44°25.25′ N lat.; 124°16.94′ W long.;

(4) 44°25.29′ N lat.; 124°30.14′ W long.;

(5) 44°41.76′ N lat.; 124°30.02′ W long.; and connecting back to 44°41.76′ N lat.; 124°30.02′ W long.

(k) Stonewall Bank Yelloweye Rockfish Conservation Area, Expansion 2. The Stonewall Bank Yelloweye Rockfish Conservation Area (YRCA) Expansion 2 is an area off central Oregon, near Stonewall Bank, intended to protect yelloweye rockfish. The Stonewall Bank YRCA Expansion 2 is defined by straight lines connecting the following specific latitude and longitude coordinates in the order listed:

(1) 44°38.54′ N lat.; 124°27.41′ W long.;

(2) 44°38.54′ N lat.; 124°23.86′ W long.;

(3) 44°27.13′ N lat.; 124°21.50′ W long.;

(4) 44°27.13′ N lat.; 124°26.89′ W long.;

(5) 44°31.30′ N lat.; 124°28.35′ W long.; and connecting back to 44°38.54′ N lat.; 124°27.41′ W long.

(l) Florence YRCA. The Florence YRCA is an area off central Oregon intended to protect yelloweye rockfish. The Florence YRCA is defined by straight lines connecting the following specific latitude and longitude coordinates in order listed:

(1) 44°30.04′ N lat.; 124°42.31′ W long.;

(2) 44°30.19′ N lat.; 124°40.46′ W long.;

(3) 44°25.00′ N lat.; 124°37.00′ W long.;

(4) 44°25.00′ N lat.; 124°45.00′ W long.;

(5) 44°26.71′ N lat.; 124°45.00′ W long.; and connecting back to 44°30.04′ N lat.; 124°42.31′ W long.

(m) Heceta Bank YRCA. The Heceta Bank YRCA is an area off central Oregon intended to protect yelloweye rockfish. The Heceta Bank YRCA is defined by straight lines connecting the following specific latitude and longitude coordinates in order listed:

(1) 44°16.28′ N lat., 124°47.86′ W long.;

(2) 44°15.38′ N lat., 124°49.86′ W long.;

(3) 44°14.49′ N lat., 124°51.82′ W long.;

(4) 44°14.01′ N lat., 124°52.88′ W long.;

(5) 44°13.47′ N lat., 124°54.08′ W long.;

(6) 44°12.72′ N lat., 124°54.07′ W long.;

(7) 44°11.53′ N lat., 124°54.06′ W long.;

(8) 44°08.72′ N lat., 124°54.02′ W long.;

(9) 44°06.68′ N lat., 124°54.00′ W long.;

(10) 44°05.34′ N lat., 124°53.10′ W long.;

(11) 44°02.88′ N lat., 124°53.96′ W long.;

(12) 44°02.18′ N lat., 124°54.29′ W long.;

(13) 44°00.14′ N lat., 124°55.25′ W long.;

(14) 43°58.36′ N lat., 124°55.42′ W long.;

(15) 43°57.68′ N lat., 124°55.48′ W long.;

(16) 43°56.66′ N lat., 124°55.45′ W long.;

(17) 43°56.65′ N lat., 124°55.49′ W long.;

(18) 43°56.64′ N lat., 124°56.53′ W long.;

(19) 43°56.74′ N lat., 124°56.74′ W long.;

(20) 43°59.18′ N lat., 124°56.94′ W long.;

(21) 44°00.45′ N lat., 124°56.35′ W long.;

(22) 44°02.34′ N lat., 124°55.49′ W long.;

(23) 44°04.81′ N lat., 124°55.65′ W long.;

(24) 44°06.45′ N lat., 124°55.78′ W long.;

(25) 44°08.47′ N lat., 124°55.93′ W long.;

(26) 44°09.85′ N lat., 124°56.04′ W long.;

(27) 44°11.34′ N lat., 124°56.16′ W long.;

(28) 44°12.92′ N lat., 124°56.28′ W long.;

(29) 44°14.06′ N lat., 124°55.10′ W long.;

(30) 44°15.32′ N lat., 124°53.79′ W long.;

(31) 44°16.90′ N lat., 124°52.16′ W long.;

(32) 44°16.96′ N lat., 124°52.11′ W long.;

(33) 44°16.96′ N lat., 124°51.95′ W long.;

(34) 44°17.02′ N lat., 124°48.02′ W long.;

(35) 44°17.02′ N lat., 124°47.47′ W long.; and connecting back to 44°16.28′ N lat., 124°47.86′ W long.

(n) Point St. George YRCA. The Point St. George YRCA is an area off the northern California coast, northwest of Point St. George, intended to protect yelloweye rockfish. The Point St. George YRCA is defined by straight lines connecting the following specific latitude and longitude coordinates in the order listed:

(1) 41°51.00′ N lat., 124°23.75′ W long.;

(2) 41°51.00′ N lat., 124°20.75′ W long.;

(3) 41°48.00′ N lat., 124°20.75′ W long.;

(4) 41°48.00′ N lat., 124°23.75′ W long.; and connecting back to 41°51.00′ N lat., 124°23.75′ W long.

(o) South Reef YRCA. The South Reef YRCA is an area off the northern California coast, southwest of Crescent City, intended to protect yelloweye rockfish. The South Reef YRCA is defined by straight lines connecting the following specific latitude and longitude coordinates in the order listed:

(1) 41°42.20′ N lat., 124°16.00′ W long.;

(2) 41°42.20′ N lat., 124°13.80′ W long.;

(3) 41°40.50′ N lat., 124°13.80′ W long.;

(4) 41°40.50′ N lat., 124°16.00′ W long.; and connecting back to 41°42.20′ N lat., 124°16.00′ W long.

(p) Reading Rock YRCA. The Reading Rock YRCA is an area off the northern California coast, between Crescent City and Eureka, intended to protect yelloweye rockfish. The Reading Rock YRCA is defined by straight lines connecting the following specific latitude and longitude coordinates in the order listed:

(1) 41°21.50′ N lat., 124°12.00′ W long.;

(2) 41°21.50′ N lat., 124°10.00′ W long.;

(3) 41°20.00′ N lat., 124°10.00′ W long.;

(4) 41°20.00′ N lat., 124°12.00′ W long.; and connecting back to 41°21.50′ N lat., 124°12.00′ W long.

(q) Point Delgada YRCAs. The Point Delgada YRCAs are two areas off the northern California coast, south of Point Delgada and Shelter Cove, intended to protect yelloweye rockfish. The Northern Point Delgada YRCA is defined by straight lines connecting the following specific latitude and longitude coordinates in the order listed:

(1) 39°59.00′ N lat., 124°05.00′ W long.;

(2) 39°59.00′ N lat., 124°03.00′ W long.;

(3) 39°57.00′ N lat., 124°03.00′ W long.;

(4) 39°57.00′ N lat., 124°05.00′ W long.; and connecting back to 39°59.00′ N lat., 124°05.00′ W long.

(r) Southern Point Delgada YRCA. The Southern Point Delgada YRCA is defined by straight lines connecting the following specific latitude and longitude coordinates in the order listed:

(1) 39°57.00′ N lat., 124°05.00′ W long.;

(2) 39°57.00′ N lat., 124°02.00′ W long.;

(3) 39°54.00′ N lat., 124°02.00′ W long.;

(4) 39°54.00′ N lat., 124°05.00′ W long.; and connecting back to 39°57.00′ N lat., 124°05.00′ W long.

(s) Cowcod Conservation Areas. The Cowcod Conservation Areas (CCAs) are two areas off the southern California coast intended to protect cowcod.

(1) Western CCA. The Western CCA is an area south of Point Conception defined by the straight lines connecting the following specific latitude and longitude coordinates in the order listed and connecting back to 33°50.00′ N lat., 119°30.00′ W long.:

(i) 33°50.00′ N lat., 119°30.00′ W long.;

(ii) 33°50.00′ N lat., 118°50.00′ W long.;

(iii) 32°20.00′ N lat., 118°50.00′ W long.;

(iv) 32°20.00′ N lat., 119°37.00′ W long.;

(v) 33°00.00′ N lat., 119°37.00′ W long.;

(vi) 33°00.00′ N lat., 119°53.00′ W long.;

(vii) 33°33.00′ N lat., 119°53.00′ W long.; and

(viii) 33°33.00′ N lat., 119°30.00′ W long.

(2) Transit corridor. The Western CCA transit corridor is bounded on the north by the latitude line at 33°00.50′ N lat., and bounded on the south by the latitude line at 32°59.50′ N lat.

(3) Eastern CCA. The Eastern CCA is an area west of San Diego defined by the straight lines connecting the following specific latitude and longitude coordinates in the order listed and connecting back to 32°42.00′ N lat., 118°02.00′ W long.:

(i) 32°42.00′ N lat., 118°02.00′ W long.;

(ii) 32°42.00′ N lat., 117°50.00′ W long.;

(iii) 32°36.70′ N lat., 117°50.00′ W long.;

(iv) 32°30.00′ N lat., 117°53.50′ W long.; and

(v) 32°30.00′ N lat., 118°02.00′ W long.

(t) Groundfish Exclusion Areas. The Groundfish Exclusion Areas (GEAs) are eight areas south of Point Conception intended to protect sensitive areas, including areas with coral and sea pens.

(1) Hidden Reef. The Hidden Reef GEA is defined by the straight lines connecting the following specific latitude and longitude coordinates in the order listed and connecting back to 33°46.14′ N lat., 119°10.45′ W long.:

(i) 33°46.14′ N lat., 119°10.45′ W long.;

(ii) 33°46.14′ N lat., 119°05.96′ W long.;

(iii) 33°41.40′ N lat., 119°05.96′ W long.; and

(iv) 33°41.40′ N lat., 119°10.45′ W long.

(2) West of Santa Barbara Island. The West of Santa Barbara Island GEA is defined by the straight lines connecting the following specific latitude and longitude coordinates in the order listed and connecting back to 33°33.64′ N lat., 119°18.54′ W long.:

(i) 33°33.64′ N lat., 119°18.54′ W long.;

(ii) 33°33.64′ N lat., 119°07.57′ W long.;

(iii) 33°27.90′ N lat., 119°07.57′ W long; and

(iv) 33°27.90′ N lat., 119°18.54′ W long.

(3) Potato Bank. The Potato Bank GEA is defined by the straight lines connecting the following specific latitude and longitude coordinates in the order listed and connecting back to 33°21.00′ N lat., 119°52.10′ W long.:

(i) 33°21.00′ N lat., 119°52.10′ W long.;

(ii) 33°21.00′ N lat., 119°45.67′ W long.;

(iii) 33°10.10′ N lat., 119°45.67′ W long.; and

(iv) 33°10.10′ N lat., 119°52.10′ W long.

(4) 107/118 Bank. The 107/118 Bank GEA is defined by the straight lines connecting the following specific latitude and longitude coordinates in the order listed and connecting back to 33°05.51′ N lat., 119°41.29′ W long.:

(i) 33°05.51′ N lat., 119°41.29′ W long.;

(ii) 33°08.64′ N lat., 119°36.71′ W long.;

(iii) 33°03.50′ N lat., 119°31.69′ W long.; and

(iv) 33°00.36′ N lat., 119°36.27′ W long.

(5) Cherry Bank. The Cherry Bank GEA is defined by the straight lines connecting the following specific latitude and longitude coordinates in the order listed and connecting back to 32°50.86′ N lat., 119°29.40′ W long.:

(i) 32°50.86′ N lat., 119°29.40′ W long.;

(ii) 32°56.96′ N lat., 119°19.82′ W long.;

(iii) 32°54.69′ N lat., 119°17.78′ W long.; and

(iv) 32°48.59′ N lat., 119°27.35′ W long.

(6) Seamount 109. The Seamount 109 GEA is defined by the straight lines connecting the following specific latitude and longitude coordinates in the order listed and connecting back to 32°43.75′ N lat., 119°37.00′ W long.:

(i) 32°43.75′ N lat., 119°37.00′ W long.;

(ii) 32°43.75′ N lat., 119°34.29′ W long.;

(iii) 32°31.95′ N lat., 119°26.94′ W long.;

(iv) 32°30.47′ N lat., 119°29.71′ W long.; and

(v) 32°39.54′ N lat., 119°37.00′ W long.

(7) 43-Fathom Spot. The 43-Fathom Spot GEA is defined by the straight lines connecting the following specific latitude and longitude coordinates in the order listed and connecting back to 32°42.00′ N lat., 118°00.05′ W long.:

(i) 32°42.00′ N lat., 118°00.05′ W long.;

(ii) 32°42.00′ N lat., 117°50.00′ W long.;

(iii) 32°36.70′ N lat., 117°50.00′ W long.;

(iv) 32°36.18′ N lat., 117°50.23′ W long.; and

(v) 32°36.18′ N lat., 118°00.05′ W long.

(8) Northeast Bank. The Northeast Bank GEA is defined by the straight lines connecting the following specific latitude and longitude coordinates in the order listed and connecting back to 32°27.39′ N lat., 119°37.00′ W long.:

(i) 32°27.39′ N lat., 119°37.00′ W long.;

(ii) 32°27.39′ N lat., 119°31.60′ W long.;

(iii) 32°19.91′ N lat., 119°31.60′ W long.; and

(iv) 32°19.91′ N lat., 119°37.00′ W long.

(u) Farallon Islands. The Farallon Islands, off San Francisco and San Mateo Counties, include Southeast Farallon Island, Middle Farallon Island, North Farallon Island and Noon Day Rock. Generally, the State of California prohibits fishing for groundfish between the shoreline and the 10–fm (18–m) depth contour around the Farallon Islands.

(v) Cordell Bank. Cordell Bank is located offshore of California's Marin County. Generally, fishing for groundfish is prohibited within Cordell Bank as defined by specific latitude and longitude coordinates. The Cordell Bank closed area is defined by straight lines connecting the following specific latitude and longitude coordinates in the order listed:

(f) The 50 fm (91 m) depth contour around Santa Barbara Island off the state of California is defined by straight lines connecting all of the following points in the order stated:

(1) 33°31.77′ N lat., 119°3.41′ W long.;

(2) 33°29.66′ N lat., 119°5.86′ W long.;

(3) 33°26.94′ N lat., 119°2.95′ W long.;

(4) 33°27.08′ N lat., 119°0.51′ W long.;

(5) 33°28.82′ N lat., 118°59.42′ W long.;

(6) 33°30.67′ N lat., 119°0.88′ W long.; and

(7) 33°31.77′ N lat., 119°3.41′ W long.

(g) The 50 fm (91 m) depth contour around Tanner Bank off the state of California is defined by straight lines connecting all of the following points in the order stated:

(1) 32°45.53′ N lat., 119°13.28′ W long.;

(2) 32°43.98′ N lat., 119°15.05′ W long.;

(3) 32°38.45′ N lat., 119°4.92′ W long.;

(4) 32°41.44′ N lat., 119°3.71′ W long.;

(5) 32°45.02′ N lat., 119°11.08′ W long.; and

(6) 32°45.53′ N lat., 119°13.28′ W long.

(h) The 50 fm (91 m) depth contour around San Nicholas Island off the state of California is defined by straight lines connecting all of the following points in the order stated:

(1) 33°22.14′ N lat., 119°42.12′ W long.;

(2) 33°17.68′ N lat., 119°43.24′ W long.;

(3) 33°15.29′ N lat., 119°39.32′ W long.;

(4) 33°11.98′ N lat., 119°29.64′ W long.;

(5) 33°11.6′ N lat., 119°27.26′ W long.;

(6) 33°12.99′ N lat., 119°16.36′ W long.;

(7) 33°14.43′ N lat., 119°17.42′ W long.;

(8) 33°17.2′ N lat., 119°23.16′ W long.;

(9) 33°20.73′ N lat., 119°27.33′ W long.; and

(10) 33°22.14′ N lat., 119°42.12′ W long.

(i) The 50 fm (91 m) depth contour around Cortes Bank off the state of California is defined by straight lines connecting all of the following points in the order stated:

(1) 32°35.89′ N lat., 119°18.39′ W long.;

(2) 32°31.93′ N lat., 119°20.54′ W long.;

(3) 32°29.47′ N lat., 119°14.81′ W long.;

(4) 32°28.14′ N lat., 119°14.94′ W long.;

(5) 32°24.37′ N lat., 119°3.69′ W long.;

(6) 32°24.5′ N lat., 119°0.52′ W long.;

(7) 32°26.04′ N lat., 119°0.46′ W long.; and

(8) 32°35.89′ N lat., 119°18.39′ W long.

(n) The 60 fm (110 m) depth contour around Santa Barbara Island off the state of California is defined by straight lines connecting all of the following points in the order stated:

(1) 33°32.34′ N lat., 119°3.85′ W long.;

(2) 33°28.79′ N lat., 119°6.76′ W long.;

(3) 33°26.46′ N lat., 119°3.12′ W long.;

(4) 33°27.08′ N lat., 119°0.37′ W long.;

(5) 33°28.86′ N lat., 118°59.31′ W long.;

(6) 33°30.82′ N lat., 119°0.97′ W long.; and

(7) 33°32.34′ N lat., 119°3.85′ W long.

(o) The 60 fm (91 m) depth contour around Tanner Bank off the state of California is defined by straight lines connecting all of the following points in the order stated:

(1) 32°45.65′ N lat., 119°13.29′ W long.;

(2) 32°44.21′ N lat., 119°15.68′ W long.;

(3) 32°37.4′ N lat., 119°4.89′ W long.;

(4) 32°41.42′ N lat., 119°3.32′ W long.;

(5) 32°45.66′ N lat., 119°12.1′ W long.; and

(6) 32°45.65′ N lat., 119°13.29′ W long.

(p) The 60 fm (110 m) depth contour around San Nicholas Island off the state of California is defined by straight lines connecting all of the following points in the order stated:

(1) 33°26.41′ N lat., 119°39.84′ W long.;

(2) 33°22.94′ N lat., 119°47.34′ W long.;

(3) 33°16.39′ N lat., 119°42.64′ W long.;

(4) 33°11.86′ N lat., 119°29.61′ W long.;

(5) 33°11.52′ N lat., 119°27.25′ W long.;

(6) 33°12.97′ N lat., 119°16.3′ W long.;

(7) 33°14.48′ N lat., 119°17.42′ W long.;

(8) 33°17.23′ N lat., 119°23.14′ W long.;

(9) 33°21.21′ N lat., 119°27.84′ W long.;

(10) 33°22.65′ N lat., 119°34.31′ W long.; and

(11) 33°26.41′ N lat., 119°39.84′ W long.

(q) The 60 fm (110 m) depth contour around Cortes Bank off the state of California is defined by straight lines connecting all of the following points in the order stated:

(1) 32°36.79′ N lat., 119°18.81′ W long.;

(2) 32°31.94′ N lat., 119°20.75′ W long.;

(3) 32°29.5′ N lat., 119°15′ W long.;

(4) 32°27.95′ N lat., 119°15.12′ W long.;

(5) 32°24.03′ N lat., 119°3.72′ W long.;

(6) 32°24.46′ N lat., 118°59.56′ W long.;

(7) 32°25.42′ N lat., 118°59.42′ W long.;

(8) 32°27.41′ N lat., 119°1.99′ W long.; and

(9) 32°36.79′ N lat., 119°18.81′ W long.

(r) * * *

(139) 38°04.16′ N lat., 123°19.05′ W long.;

(140) 38°03.18′ N lat., 123°20.77′ W long.;

(141) 38°00.00′ N lat., 123°23.08′ W long.;

(142) 37°55.07′ N lat., 123°26.81′ W long.;

(186) 36°10.28′ N lat., 121°43.06′ W long.;

(v) The 75 fm (137 m) depth contour around Santa Barbara Island off the state of California is defined by straight lines connecting all of the following points in the order stated:

(1) 33°33.58′ N lat., 119°4.84′ W long.;

(2) 33°33.2′ N lat., 119°5.37′ W long.;

(3) 33°31.75′ N lat., 119°4.61′ W long.;

(4) 33°28.67′ N lat., 119°7.06′ W long.;

(5) 33°26.38′ N lat., 119°3.24′ W long.;

(6) 33°27.08′ N lat., 119°0.26′ W long.;

(7) 33°28.85′ N lat., 118°59.21′ W long.;

(8) 33°30.85′ N lat., 119°0.94′ W long.;

(9) 33°31.91′ N lat., 119°2.98′ W long.; and

(10) 33°33.58′ N lat., 119°4.84′ W long.

(w) The 75 fm (137 m) depth contour around Tanner Bank off the state of California is defined by straight lines connecting all of the following points in the order stated:

(1) 32°45.66′ N lat., 119°14.45′ W long.;

(2) 32°44.19′ N lat., 119°15.9′ W long.;

(3) 32°37.02′ N lat., 119°4.65′ W long.;

(4) 32°41.45′ N lat., 119°3.14′ W long.;

(5) 32°45.77′ N lat., 119°11.93′ W long.; and

(6) 32°45.66′ N lat., 119°14.45′ W long.

(x) The 75 fm (137 m) depth contour around San Nicholas Island off the state of California is defined by straight lines connecting all of the following points in the order stated:

(1) 33°30.94′ N lat., 119°45.06′ W long.;

(2) 33°28.59′ N lat., 119°52.02′ W long.;

(3) 33°16.05′ N lat., 119°43.86′ W long.;

(4) 33°15.2′ N lat., 119°39.36′ W long.;

(5) 33°11.71′ N lat., 119°29.48′ W long.;

(6) 33°11.39′ N lat., 119°26.58′ W long.;

(7) 33°12.96′ N lat., 119°16.23′ W long.;

(8) 33°14.52′ N lat., 119°17.42′ W long.;

(9) 33°17.24′ N lat., 119°23.09′ W long.;

(10) 33°21.24′ N lat., 119°27.83′ W long.;

(11) 33°22.71′ N lat., 119°33.54′ W long.; and

(12) 33°30.94′ N lat., 119°45.06′ W long.

(y) The 75 fm (137 m) depth contour around Cortes Bank off the state of California is defined by straight lines connecting all of the following points in the order stated:

(1) 32°37.38′ N lat., 119°19.45′ W long.;

(2) 32°31.9′ N lat., 119°20.9′ W long.;

(3) 32°29.52′ N lat.; 119°15.94′ W long.;

(4) 32°29.64′ N lat.; 119°15.4′ W long.;

(5) 32°29.24′ N lat.; 119°15.09′ W long.;

(6) 32°27.82′ N lat., 119°15.3′ W long.;

(7) 32°23.85′ N lat., 119°3.95′ W long.;

(8) 32°24.53′ N lat., 118°58.2′ W long.;

(9) 32°27.1′ N lat., 119°1.2′ W long.; and

(10) 32°37.38′ N lat., 119°19.45′ W long.

(e) The 100 fm (183 m) depth contour around Santa Barbara Island off the state of California is defined by straight lines connecting all of the following points in the order stated:

(1) 33°33.85′ N lat., 119°4.87′ W long.;

(2) 33°33.27′ N lat., 119°5.67′ W long.;

(3) 33°31.9′ N lat., 119°5.08′ W long.;

(4) 33°28.62′ N lat., 119°7.28′ W long.;

(5) 33°27.04′ N lat., 119°5.84′ W long.;

(6) 33°26.2′ N lat., 119°3.24′ W long.;

(7) 33°27.07′ N lat., 118°59.96′ W long.;

(8) 33°28.7′ N lat., 118°58.76′ W long.;

(9) 33°31′ N lat., 119°1.02′ W long.;

(10) 33°31.99′ N lat., 119°2.86′ W long.; and

(11) 33°33.85′ N lat., 119°4.87′ W long.

(f) The 100 fm (183 m) depth contour around Tanner Bank off the state of California is defined by straight lines connecting all of the following points in the order stated:

(1) 32°45.92′ N lat., 119°14.6′ W long.;

(2) 32°44.34′ N lat., 119°16.43′ W long.;

(3) 32°36.75′ N lat., 119°4.51′ W long.;

(4) 32°41.41′ N lat., 119°2.93′ W long.;

(5) 32°45.85′ N lat., 119°10.62′ W long.; and

(6) 32°45.92′ N lat., 119°14.6′ W long.

(g) The 100 fm (183 m) depth contour around San Nicholas Island off the state of California is defined by straight lines connecting all of the following points in the order stated:

(1) 33°31.37′ N lat., 119°44.84′ W long.;

(2) 33°28.82′ N lat., 119°52.19′ W long.;

(3) 33°25.43′ N lat., 119°51.27′ W long.;

(4) 33°18.01′ N lat., 119°47.18′ W long.;

(5) 33°15.8′ N lat., 119°43.64′ W long.;

(6) 33°14.22′ N lat., 119°37′ W long.;

(7) 33°11.56′ N lat., 119°29.58′ W long.;

(8) 33°11.28′ N lat., 119°26.54′ W long.;

(9) 33°12.94′ N lat., 119°15.86′ W long.;

(10) 33°14.48′ N lat., 119°16.97′ W long.;

(11) 33°17.33′ N lat., 119°22.93′ W long.;

(12) 33°21.28′ N lat., 119°27.66′ W long.;

(13) 33°23.38′ N lat., 119°33.29′ W long.; and

(14) 33°31.37′ N lat., 119°44.84′ W long.

(h) The 100 fm (183 m) depth contour around Cortes Bank off the state of California is defined by straight lines connecting all of the following points in the order stated:

(1) 32°37.79′ N lat., 119°19.68′ W long.;

(2) 32°36.19′ N lat., 119°21.84′ W long.;

(3) 32°33.16′ N lat., 119°21.76′ W long.;

(4) 32°30.92′ N lat., 119°20.46′ W long.;

(5) 32°29.25′ N lat., 119°15.93′ W long.;

(6) 32°29.44′ N lat., 119°15.44′ W long.;

(7) 32°29.23′ N lat., 119°15.23′ W long.;

(8) 32°27.48′ N lat., 119°15.56′ W long.;

(9) 32°23.19′ N lat., 119°3.23′ W long.;

(10) 32°22.94′ N lat., 118°57.58′ W long.;

(11) 32°24.47′ N lat., 118°57.61′ W long.;

(12) 32°27.3′ N lat., 119°1.06′ W long.; and

(13) 32°37.79′ N lat., 119°19.68′ W long.

(m) The 125 fm (229 m) depth contour around Santa Barbara Island off the state of California is defined by straight lines connecting all of the following points in the order stated:

(1) 33°33.96′ N lat., 119°4.88′ W long.;

(2) 33°33.28′ N lat., 119°5.88′ W long.;

(3) 33°30.98′ N lat., 119°6.32′ W long.;

(4) 33°28.52′ N lat., 119°7.7′ W long.;

(5) 33°26.93′ N lat., 119°5.94′ W long.;

(6) 33°25.96′ N lat., 119°3.34′ W long.;

(7) 33°27.01′ N lat., 118°59.73′ W long.;

(8) 33°28.68′ N lat., 118°58.43′ W long.;

(9) 33°31.2′ N lat., 119°1.09′ W long.;

(10) 33°32.04′ N lat., 119°2.77′ W long.; and

(11) 33°33.96′ N lat., 119°4.88′ W long.

(n) The 125 fm (229 m) depth contour around Tanner Bank and Cortes Bank off the state of California is defined by straight lines connecting all of the following points in the order stated:

(1) 32°46.01′ N lat., 119°14.63′ W long.;

(2) 32°44.35′ N lat., 119°16.58′ W long.;

(3) 32°40.85′ N lat., 119°11.61′ W long.;

(4) 32°38.93′ N lat., 119°11.9′ W long.;

(5) 32°41.32′ N lat., 119°18.11′ W long.;

(6) 32°36.16′ N lat., 119°22.16′ W long.;

(7) 32°33.09′ N lat., 119°21.89′ W long.;

(8) 32°30.73′ N lat., 119°20.43′ W long.;

(9) 32°28.94′ N lat., 119°15.4′ W long.;

(10) 32°27.46′ N lat., 119°15.62′ W long.;

(11) 32°24.58′ N lat., 119°9.83′ W long.;

(12) 32°22.97′ N lat., 119°3′ W long.;

(13) 32°22.03′ N lat., 118°56.26′ W long.;

(14) 32°24.63′ N lat., 118°57.54′ W long.;

(15) 32°34.72′ N lat., 119°10.24′ W long.;

(16) 32°37.93′ N lat., 119°7.88′ W long.;

(17) 32°36.55′ N lat., 119°4.42′ W long.;

(18) 32°41.5′ N lat., 119°2.65′ W long.;

(19) 32°45.98′ N lat., 119°10.71′ W long.; and

(20) 32°46.01′ N lat., 119°14.63′ W long.

(o) The 125 fm (229 m) depth contour around San Nicholas Island off the state of California is defined by straight lines connecting all of the following points in the order stated:

(1) 33°31.65′ N lat., 119°44.84′ W long.;

(2) 33°28.91′ N lat., 119°52.35′ W long.;

(3) 33°25.39′ N lat., 119°51.44′ W long.;

(4) 33°17.94′ N lat., 119°47.31′ W long.;

(5) 33°15.33′ N lat., 119°43.4′ W long.;

(6) 33°14.03′ N lat., 119°37.02′ W long.;

(7) 33°11.49′ N lat., 119°29.58′ W long.;

(8) 33°11.21′ N lat., 119°26.46′ W long.;

(9) 33°12.9′ N lat., 119°15.74′ W long.;

(10) 33°14.51′ N lat., 119°14.92′ W long.;

(11) 33°14.76′ N lat., 119°17.07′ W long.;

(12) 33°17.44′ N lat., 119°22.82′ W long.;

(13) 33°21.37′ N lat., 119°27.53′ W long.;

(14) 33°23.44′ N lat., 119°33.11′ W long.; and

(15) 33°31.65′ N lat., 119°44.84′ W long.

(u) The 150 fm (274 m) depth contour around Santa Barbara Island off the state of California is defined by straight lines connecting all of the following points in the order stated:

(1) 33°34.6′ N lat., 119°4.57′ W long.;

(2) 33°33.13′ N lat., 119°6.65′ W long.;

(3) 33°28.13′ N lat., 119°8.17′ W long.;

(4) 33°25.55′ N lat., 119°3.64′ W long.;

(5) 33°26.96′ N lat., 118°59.58′ W long.;

(6) 33°28.68′ N lat., 118°58.24′ W long.; and

(7) 33°34.6′ N lat., 119°4.57′ W long.;

(v) The 150 fm (274 m) depth contour around Tanner Bank and Cortes Bank off the state of California is defined by straight lines connecting all of the following points in the order stated:

(1) 32°46.12′ N lat., 119°14.73′ W long.;

(2) 32°44.37′ N lat., 119°16.82′ W long.;

(3) 32°41.02′ N lat., 119°12.01′ W long.;

(4) 32°39.28′ N lat., 119°12.18′ W long.;

(5) 32°41.46′ N lat., 119°18.28′ W long.;

(6) 32°36.17′ N lat., 119°22.31′ W long.;

(7) 32°32.97′ N lat., 119°22′ W long.;

(8) 32°30.57′ N lat., 119°20.54′ W long.;

(9) 32°28.94′ N lat., 119°15.53′ W long.;

(10) 32°27.45′ N lat., 119°15.79′ W long.;

(11) 32°24.86′ N lat., 119°12.93′ W long.;

(12) 32°21.43′ N lat., 118°55.1′ W long.;

(13) 32°24.67′ N lat., 118°57.37′ W long.;

(14) 32°34.34′ N lat., 119°9.28′ W long.;

(15) 32°37.39′ N lat., 119°7.54′ W long.;

(16) 32°36.38′ N lat., 119°4.32′ W long.;

(17) 32°41.59′ N lat., 119°2.46′ W long.;

(18) 32°46.07′ N lat., 119°10.68′ W long.; and

(19) 32°46.12′ N lat., 119°14.73′ W long.

(w) The 150 fm (274 m) depth contour around San Nicholas Island off the state of California is defined by straight lines connecting all of the following points in the order stated:

(1) 33°33.22′ N lat., 119°46.7′ W long.;

(2) 33°28.97′ N lat., 119°53.04′ W long.;

(3) 33°24.67′ N lat., 119°51.27′ W long.;

(4) 33°19.95′ N lat., 119°50.23′ W long.;

(5) 33°13.07′ N lat., 119°41.99′ W long.;

(6) 33°13.1′ N lat., 119°34.66′ W long.;

(7) 33°11.45′ N lat., 119°29.57′ W long.;

(8) 33°11.13′ N lat., 119°26.22′ W long.;

(9) 33°11.8′ N lat., 119°20.64′ W long.;

(10) 33°12.91′ N lat., 119°15.53′ W long.;

(11) 33°14.52′ N lat., 119°14.72′ W long.;

(12) 33°15.32′ N lat., 119°16.01′ W long.;

(13) 33°14.78′ N lat., 119°16.97′ W long.;

(14) 33°15.73′ N lat., 119°19.02′ W long.;

(15) 33°16.73′ N lat., 119°18.97′ W long.;

(16) 33°19.37′ N lat., 119°24.95′ W long.;

(17) 33°21.69′ N lat., 119°27.44′ W long.;

(18) 33°23.82′ N lat., 119°32.87′ W long.; and

(19) 33°33.22′ N lat., 119°46.7′ W long.

(x) The 150 fm (274 m) depth contour around Osborn Bank off the state of California is defined by straight lines connecting all of the following points in the order stated:

(1) 33°23.53′ N lat., 119°3.73′ W long.;

(2) 33°23.57′ N lat., 119°6.66′ W long.;

(3) 33°23.12′ N lat., 119°7.25′ W long.;

(4) 33°20.51′ N lat., 119°2.15′ W long.;

(5) 33°20.58′ N lat., 119°0.48′ W long.;

(6) 33°21.32′ N lat., 118°59.89′ W long.; and

(7) 33°23.53′ N lat., 119°3.73′ W long.

(y) The 150 fm (274 m) depth contour around the Eastern CCA area off the state of California is defined by straight lines connecting all of the following points in the order stated:

(1) 32°41.41′ N lat., 117°59.05′ W long.;

(2) 32°40.57′ N lat., 118°1.97′ W long.;

(3) 32°40.04′ N lat.,118°1.23′ W long.;

(4) 32°39.82′ N lat., 118°0.03′ W long.;

(5) 32°38.02′ N lat., 117°57.86′ W long.;

(6) 32°35.38′ N lat., 117°56.23′ W long.;

(7) 32°36.68′ N lat., 117°55.02′ W long.;

(8) 32°40.42′ N lat., 117°57.15′ W long.; and

(9) 32°41.41′ N lat., 117°59.05′ W long.

(f) Nehalem Bank East. The boundary of the Nehalem Bank East EFHCA is defined by straight lines connecting all of the following points in the order stated and connecting back to 45°47.95′ N lat., 124°31.70′ W long.:

(1) 45°47.95′ N lat., 124°31.70′ W long.;

(2) 45°52.28′ N lat., 124°38.46′ W long.;

(3) 45°56.45′ N lat., 124°38.00′ W long.;

(4) 45°58.33′ N lat., 124°38.75′ W long.;

(5) 46°00.83′ N lat., 124°36.78′ W long.;

(6) 45°59.94′ N lat., 124°34.63′ W long.;

(7) 45°58.90′ N lat., 124°33.47′ W long.;

(8) 45°54.27′ N lat., 124°30.73′ W long.;

(9) 45°53.62 N lat., 124°30.83′ W long.;

(10) 45°52.90′ N lat., 124°30.67′ W long.;

(11) 45°52.03 N lat., 124°30.60′ W long.;

(12) 45°51.75′ N lat., 124°30.85′ W long.; and

(13) 45°51.53′ N lat., 124°31.15′ W long.

(p) Arago Reef West. The boundary of the Arago Reef West EFHCA is defined by straight lines connecting all of the following points in the order stated and connecting back to 43°16.24′ N lat., 124°27.66′ W long.:

(1) 43°16.24′ N lat., 124°27.66′ W long.;

(2) 43°14.23′ N lat., 124°29.28′ W long.;

(3) 43°14.03′ N lat., 124°28.31′ W long.;

(4) 43°11.92′ N lat., 124°28.26′ W long.;

(5) 43°11.02′ N lat., 124°29.11′ W long.;

(6) 43°10.13′ N lat., 124°29.15′ W long.;

(7) 43°09.26′ N lat., 124°31.03′ W long.;

(8) 43°08.60′ N lat., 124°30.98′ W long.;

(9) 43°10.22′ N lat., 124°37.82′ W long.;

(10) 43°16.91′ N lat., 124°37.50′ W long.;

(11) 43°16.51′ N lat., 124°28.97′ W long.;

(12) 43°16.88′ N lat., 124°28.16′ W long.; and

(13) 43°16.24′ N lat., 124°27.66′ W long.

(r) Bandon High Spot East. The boundary of the Bandon High Spot East EFHCA is defined by straight lines connecting all of the following points in the order stated and connecting back to 42°57.18′ N lat., 124°46.01′ W long.:

(1) 42°57.18′ N lat., 124°46.01′ W long.;

(2) 42°56.10′ N lat., 124°47.48′ W long.;

(3) 42°56.66′ N lat., 124°48.79′ W long.;

(4) 42°55.02′ N lat., 124°50.45′ W long.;

(5) 42°55.70′ N lat., 124°52.79′ W long.;

(6) 43°03.91′ N lat., 124°50.81 W long.;

(7) 43°03.70′ N lat., 124°47.91′ W long.;

(8) 43°03.20′ N lat., 124°47.52′ W long.;

(9) 43°00.94′ N lat., 124°46.57′ W long.; and

(10) 42°57.18′ N lat., 124°46.01′ W long.

(yy) Potato Bank. The boundary of the Potato Bank EFHCA is defined by straight lines connecting all of the following points in the order stated and connecting back to 33°11.00′ N lat., 119°55.67′ W long.:

(zz) Cherry Bank. The Cherry Bank EFH Conservation Area is defined by straight lines connecting all of the following points in the order stated and connecting back to 32°59.00′ N lat., 119°32.05′ W long.:

(c) * * *

(3) Fish inside the nontrawl RCA with any gear type other than those specified at § 660.230(b)(6). In addition, a vessel may not carry more than one gear type as specified at § 660.230(b)(6) on board while declared to fish inside the nontrawl RCA (see § 660.13(d)(4)(iv)(A) for valid declarations for use inside the nontrawl RCA).

(a) General. Most species taken in limited entry fixed gear (longline and pot/trap) fisheries will be managed with cumulative trip limits (see trip limits in Tables 2 (North) and 2 (South) of this subpart), size limits (see § 660.60(h)(5)), seasons (see trip limits in Tables 2 (North) and 2 (South) of this subpart and sablefish primary season details in § 660.231), gear restrictions (see paragraph (b) of this section), and closed areas (see paragraph (d) of this section and §§ 660.70 through 660.79). Cowcod retention is prohibited in all fisheries, and groundfish vessels operating south of Point Conception must adhere to GEA restrictions (see paragraph (d)(17) of this section and § 660.70). Yelloweye rockfish retention is prohibited in the limited entry fixed gear fisheries. Regulations governing tier limits for the limited entry, fixed gear sablefish primary season north of 36° N lat. are found in § 660.231. Vessels not participating in the sablefish primary season are subject to daily or weekly sablefish limits in addition to cumulative limits for each cumulative limit period. Only one sablefish landing per week may be made in excess of the daily trip limit and, if the vessel chooses to make a landing in excess of that daily trip limit, then that is the only sablefish landing permitted for that week. The trip limit for black rockfish caught with hook-and-line gear also applies, see § 660.230(e). The trip limits in Table 2 (North) and Table 2 (South) of this subpart apply to vessels participating in the limited entry groundfish fixed gear fishery and may not be exceeded.

(b) * * *

(6) Gear for use in the Nontrawl RCA. Inside the nontrawl RCA, only legal non-bottom contact hook-and-line gear configurations may be used for target fishing for groundfish by vessels that participate in the limited entry fixed gear sector as defined at § 660.11. On a fishing trip where any fishing will occur inside the nontrawl RCA, only one type of legal non-bottom contact gear may be carried on board, and no other fishing gear of any type may be carried on board or stowed during that trip. The vessel may fish inside and outside the nontrawl RCA on the same fishing trip, provided a valid declaration report as required at § 660.13(d) has been filed with NMFS OLE. Legal non-bottom contact hook-and-line gear means stationary vertical jig gear not anchored to the bottom and groundfish troll gear, subject to the specifications in paragraphs (b)(6)(i) and (ii) of this section.

(i) Stationary vertical jig gear. The following requirements apply to stationary vertical jig gear:

(A) Must be a minimum of 30 feet between the bottom weight and the lowest fishing hook;

(B) No more than 4 vertical mainlines attached to or fished from the vessel ( e.g., rod and reel) may be used in the water at one time with no more than 25 hooks on each mainline;

(C) No more than 100 hooks may be in the water at one time, with no more than 25 extra hooks on board the vessel.

(ii) Groundfish troll gear. The following requirements apply to groundfish troll gear:

(A) Must be a minimum of 50 feet between the bottom weight and the troll wire's connection to the horizontal mainline;

(B) No more than one mainline attached to or fished form the vessel may be used in the water at one time;

(C) No more than 500 hooks may be in the water at one time, with no more than 25 extra hooks on board the vessel;

(D) Hooks must be spaced apart by a visible maker ( e.g., floats, line wraps, colored line splices), with no more than 25 hooks between each marker and no more than 20 markers on the mainline; and

(E) Natural bait or weighted hooks may not be used nor be on board the vessel. Artificial lures and bait are permitted.

(d) * * *

(5) Tillamook YRCA. The latitude and longitude coordinates that define the Tillamook YRCA boundaries are specified at § 660.70, subpart C. Fishing with limited entry fixed gear is prohibited within the Tillamook YRCA on dates when the closure is in effect. It is unlawful to take and retain, possess, or land groundfish taken with limited entry fixed gear within the Tillamook YRCA on dates when the closure is in effect. The closure is not in effect at this time. This closure may be implemented through inseason adjustment. Limited entry fixed gear vessels may transit through the Tillamook YRCA at any time, with or without groundfish on board.

(6) Newport YRCA. The latitude and longitude coordinates that define the Newport YRCA boundaries are specified at § 660.70, subpart C. Fishing with limited entry fixed gear is prohibited within the Newport YRCA on dates when the closure is in effect. It is unlawful to take and retain, possess, or land groundfish taken with limited entry fixed gear within the Newport YRCA on dates when the closure is in effect. The closure is not in effect at this time. This closure may be implemented through inseason adjustment. Limited entry fixed gear vessels may transit through the Newport YRCA at any time, with or without groundfish on board.

(7) Florence YRCA. The latitude and longitude coordinates that define the Florence YRCA boundaries are specified at § 660.70, subpart C. Fishing with limited entry fixed gear is prohibited within the Florence YRCA on dates when the closure is in effect. It is unlawful to take and retain, possess, or land groundfish taken with limited entry fixed gear within the Florence YRCA on dates when the closure is in effect. The closure is not in effect at this time. This closure may be implemented through inseason adjustment. Limited entry fixed gear vessels may transit through the Florence YRCA at any time, with or without groundfish on board.

(8) Heceta Bank YRCA. The latitude and longitude coordinates that define the Heceta Bank YRCA boundaries are specified at § 660.70, subpart C. Fishing with limited entry fixed gear is prohibited within the Heceta Bank YRCA on dates when the closure is in effect. It is unlawful to take and retain, possess, or land groundfish taken with limited entry fixed gear within the Heceta Bank YRCA on dates when the closure is in effect. The closure is currently in effect. This closure may be modified through inseason adjustment. Limited entry fixed gear vessels may transit through the Heceta Bank YRCA at any time, with or without groundfish on board.

(9) Point St. George YRCA. The latitude and longitude coordinates of the Point St. George YRCA boundaries are specified at § 660.70, subpart C. Fishing with limited entry fixed gear is prohibited within the Point St. George YRCA, on dates when the closure is in effect. It is unlawful to take and retain, possess, or land groundfish taken with limited entry fixed gear within the Point St. George YRCA, on dates when the closure is in effect. The closure is not in effect at this time. This closure may be imposed through inseason adjustment. Limited entry fixed gear vessels may transit through the Point St. George YRCA, at any time, with or without groundfish on board.

(10) South Reef YRCA. The latitude and longitude coordinates of the South Reef YRCA boundaries are specified at § 660.70, subpart C. Fishing with limited entry fixed gear is prohibited within the South Reef YRCA, on dates when the closure is in effect. It is unlawful to take and retain, possess, or land groundfish taken with limited entry fixed gear within the South Reef YRCA, on dates when the closure is in effect. The closure is not in effect at this time. This closure may be imposed through inseason adjustment. Limited entry fixed gear vessels may transit through the South Reef YRCA, at any time, with or without groundfish on board.

(11) Reading Rock YRCA. The latitude and longitude coordinates of the Reading Rock YRCA boundaries are specified at § 660.70, subpart C. Fishing with limited entry fixed gear is prohibited within the Reading Rock YRCA, on dates when the closure is in effect. It is unlawful to take and retain, possess, or land groundfish taken with limited entry fixed gear within the Reading Rock YRCA, on dates when the closure is in effect. The closure is not in effect at this time. This closure may be imposed through inseason adjustment. Limited entry fixed gear vessels may transit through the Reading Rock YRCA, at any time, with or without groundfish on board.

(12) Point Delgada (North) YRCA. The latitude and longitude coordinates of the Point Delgada (North) YRCA boundaries are specified at § 660.70, subpart C. Fishing with limited entry fixed gear is prohibited within the Point Delgada (North) YRCA, on dates when the closure is in effect. It is unlawful to take and retain, possess, or land groundfish taken with limited entry fixed gear within the Point Delgada (North) YRCA, on dates when the closure is in effect. The closure is not in effect at this time. This closure may be imposed through inseason adjustment. Limited entry fixed gear vessels may transit through the Point Delgada (North) YRCA, at any time, with or without groundfish on board.

(13) Point Delgada (South) YRCA. The latitude and longitude coordinates of the Point Delgada (South) YRCA boundaries are specified at § 660.70, subpart C. Fishing with limited entry fixed gear is prohibited within the Point Delgada (South) YRCA, on dates when the closure is in effect. It is unlawful to take and retain, possess, or land groundfish taken with limited entry fixed gear within the Point Delgada (South) YRCA, on dates when the closure is in effect. The closure is not in effect at this time. This closure may be imposed through inseason adjustment. Limited entry fixed gear vessels may transit through the Point Delgada (South) YRCA, at any time, with or without groundfish on board.

(14) Nontrawl Rockfish Conservation Area (RCA). The nontrawl RCA is defined at § 660.11 and with latitude and longitude coordinates, at §§ 660.71 through 660.74, where fishing for groundfish with nontrawl gear is prohibited. Boundaries for the nontrawl RCA throughout the year are provided in the header to Table 2 (North) and Table 2 (South) of this subpart and may be modified by NMFS inseason pursuant to § 660.60(c).

(i) It is unlawful to operate a vessel with limited entry nontrawl gear in the nontrawl RCA, except for the purpose of continuous transit, or when the use of limited entry nontrawl gear is authorized in this section. It is unlawful to take and retain, possess, or land groundfish taken with limited entry nontrawl gear within the nontrawl RCA, unless otherwise authorized in this section.

(ii) Limited entry nontrawl vessels may transit through the nontrawl RCA, with or without groundfish on board, provided all groundfish nontrawl gear is stowed either: Below deck; or if the gear cannot readily be moved, in a secured and covered manner, detached from all lines, so that it is rendered unusable for fishing.

(iii) The nontrawl RCA restrictions in this section apply to vessels registered to limited entry fixed gear permits fishing for species other than groundfish with nontrawl gear on trips where groundfish species are retained. Unless otherwise authorized in this section, a vessel may not retain any groundfish taken on a fishing trip for species other than groundfish that occurs within the nontrawl RCA. If a vessel fishes in a non-groundfish fishery in the nontrawl RCA, it may not participate in any fishing for groundfish on that trip that is prohibited within the nontrawl RCA. [For example, if a vessel fishes in the salmon troll fishery within the RCA, the vessel cannot on the same trip fish in the sablefish fishery outside of the RCA.]

(iv) It is lawful to fish within the nontrawl RCA with limited entry fixed gear using hook and line gear only when trip limits authorize such fishing, and provided a valid declaration report as required at § 660.13(d), subpart C, has been filed with NMFS OLE.

(v) It is lawful to fish within the nontrawl RCA under the limited entry fixed gear trip limits specified in Table 2 (North) and Table 2 (South) of this subpart only when using the non-bottom contact hook-and-line gear types described at § 660.230(b)(6), and provided a valid declaration report as required at § 660.13(d), subpart C, has been filed with NMFS OLE.

(15) Farallon Islands. Under California law, commercial fishing for all groundfish is prohibited between the shoreline and the 10 fm (18 m) depth contour around the Farallon Islands. An exception to this prohibition is that commercial fishing for “other flatfish” is allowed around the Farallon Islands using hook and line gear only. (See Table 2 (South) of this subpart.) For a definition of the Farallon Islands, see § 660.70, subpart C.

(16) Cordell Bank. Commercial fishing for groundfish is prohibited in waters of depths less than 100 fm (183 m) around Cordell Bank, as defined by specific latitude and longitude coordinates at § 660.70, subpart C. An exception to this prohibition is that commercial fishing for “other flatfish” is allowed around Cordell Bank using hook and line gear only.

(17) Groundfish exclusion areas (GEAs). The GEAs are closed areas in the Southern California Bight, defined by specific latitude and longitude coordinates (specified at § 660.70) where commercial and recreational fishing for groundfish is prohibited. It is unlawful to fish for, take and retain, possess (except for the purpose of continuous transit) or land groundfish within the GEAs. All fishing gear for targeting groundfish must be stowed while transiting through a GEA. If fishing for non-groundfish species within a GEA, then no groundfish may be on board the vessel.

(d) * * *

(7) Fish with bottom trawl gear (defined at § 660.11), other than demersal seine, unless otherwise specified in this section or § 660.330, within the EEZ in the following EFHCAs (defined at § 660.79): Brush Patch, Trinidad Canyon, Mad River Rough Patch, Samoa Deepwater, Eel River Canyon, Blunts Reef, Mendocino Ridge, Delgada Canyon, Tolo Bank, Navarro Canyon, Point Arena North, Point Arena South Biogenic Area, the Football, Gobbler's Knob, Point Reyes Reef, Cordell Bank/Biogenic Area, Rittenburg Bank, Farallon Islands/Fanny Shoal/Cochrane Bank, Farallon Escarpment, Half Moon Bay, Pescadero Reef, Pigeon Point Reef, Ascension Canyonhead, South of Davenport, Monterey Bay/Canyon, West of Sobranes Point, Point Sur Deep, Big Sur Coast/Port San Luis, La Cruz Canyon, West of Piedras Blancas State Marine Conservation Area, East San Lucia Bank, Point Conception, Hidden Reef/Kidney Bank, Catalina Island, Potato Bank, Cherry Bank, Cowcod EFHCA East, and Southern California Bight.

(8) Fish inside the nontrawl RCA with any gear type other than those specified at § 660.330(b)(3). In addition, a vessel may not carry more than one gear type as specified at § 660.330(b)(3) on board while declared to fish inside the nontrawl RCA (see §660.13(d)(4)(iv)(A) for valid declarations for use inside the nontrawl RCA).

(a) General. Groundfish species taken in open access fisheries will be managed with cumulative trip limits (see trip limits in Tables 3 (North) and 3 (South) of this subpart), size limits (see § 660.60(h)(5)), seasons (see seasons in Tables 3 (North) and 3 (South) of this subpart), gear restrictions (see paragraph (b) of this section), and closed areas (see paragraph (d) of this section and §§ 660.70 through 660.79). Unless otherwise specified, a vessel operating in the open access fishery is subject to, and must not exceed any trip limit, frequency limit, and/or size limit for the open access fishery. Cowcod retention is prohibited in all fisheries, and groundfish vessels operating south of Point Conception must adhere to GEA restrictions (see paragraph (d)(15) of this section and § 660.70). Retention of yelloweye rockfish is prohibited in all open access fisheries. For information on the open access daily/weekly trip limit fishery for sablefish, see § 660.332 of this subpart and the trip limits in Tables 3 (North) and 3 (South) of this subpart. Open access vessels are subject to daily or weekly sablefish limits in addition to cumulative limits for each cumulative limit period. Only one sablefish landing per week may be made in excess of the daily trip limit and, if the vessel chooses to make a landing in excess of that daily trip limit, then that is the only sablefish landing permitted for that week. The trip limit for black rockfish caught with hook-and-line gear also applies (see paragraph (e) of this section). Open access vessels that fish with non-groundfish trawl gear or in the salmon troll fishery north of 40°10′ N lat. are subject the cumulative limits and closed areas (except the pink shrimp fishery which is not subject to RCA restrictions) listed in Tables 3 (North) and 3 (South) of this subpart.

(b) * * *

(3) Gear for use inside the Nontrawl RCA. Inside the nontrawl RCA, only legal non-bottom contact hook-and-line gear configurations may be used for target fishing for groundfish by vessels that participate in the open access sector as defined at § 660.11. On a fishing trip where any fishing will occur inside the nontrawl RCA, only one type of legal non-bottom contact gear may be carried on board, and no other fishing gear of any type may be carried on board or stowed during that trip. The vessel may fish inside and outside the nontrawl RCA on the same fishing trip, provided a valid declaration report as required at § 660.13(d) has been filed with NMFS OLE. Legal non-bottom contact hook-and-line gear means stationary vertical jig gear not anchored to the bottom and groundfish troll gear, subject to the specifications in paragraphs (b)(6)(i) and (ii) of this section.

(i) * * *

(A) Must be a minimum of 30 feet between the bottom weight and the lowest fishing hook;

(B) No more than 4 vertical mainlines attached to or fished from the vessel ( e.g., rod & reel) may be used in the water at one time with no more than 25 hooks on each mainline;

(ii) * * *

(B) No more than one mainline attached to or fished from the vessel may be used in the water at one time;

(d) * * *

(5) Tillamook YRCA. The latitude and longitude coordinates of the Tillamook YRCA boundaries are specified at § 660.70, subpart C. Fishing with open access gear is prohibited within the Tillamook YRCA, on dates when the closure is in effect. It is unlawful to take and retain, possess, or land groundfish taken with open access gear within the Tillamook YRCA, on dates when the closure is in effect. The closure is not in effect at this time. This closure may be imposed through inseason adjustment. Open access vessels may transit through the Tillamook YRCA, at any time, with or without groundfish on board.

(6) Newport YRCA. The latitude and longitude coordinates of the Newport YRCA boundaries are specified at § 660.70, subpart C. Fishing with open access gear is prohibited within the Newport YRCA, on dates when the closure is in effect. It is unlawful to take and retain, possess, or land groundfish taken with open access gear within the Newport YRCA, on dates when the closure is in effect. The closure is not in effect at this time. This closure may be imposed through inseason adjustment. Open access vessels may transit through the Newport YRCA, at any time, with or without groundfish on board.

(7) Florence YRCA. The latitude and longitude coordinates of the Florence YRCA boundaries are specified at § 660.70, subpart C. Fishing with open access gear is prohibited within the Florence YRCA, on dates when the closure is in effect. It is unlawful to take and retain, possess, or land groundfish taken with open access gear within the Florence YRCA, on dates when the closure is in effect. The closure is not in effect at this time. This closure may be imposed through inseason adjustment. Open access vessels may transit through the Florence YRCA, at any time, with or without groundfish on board.

(8) Heceta Bank YRCA. The latitude and longitude coordinates of the Heceta Bank YRCA boundaries are specified at § 660.70, subpart C. Fishing with open access gear is prohibited within the Heceta Bank YRCA, on dates when the closure is in effect. It is unlawful to take and retain, possess, or land groundfish taken with open access gear within the Heceta Bank YRCA, on dates when the closure is in effect. The closure is in effect at this time. This closure may be imposed through inseason adjustment. Open access vessels may transit through the Heceta Bank YRCA, at any time, with or without groundfish on board.

(9) Point St. George YRCA. The latitude and longitude coordinates of the Point St. George YRCA boundaries are specified at § 660.70, subpart C. Fishing with open access gear is prohibited within the Point St. George YRCA, on dates when the closure is in effect. It is unlawful to take and retain, possess, or land groundfish taken with open access gear within the Point St. George YRCA, on dates when the closure is in effect. The closure is not in effect at this time. This closure may be imposed through inseason adjustment. Open access vessels may transit through the Point St. George YRCA, at any time, with or without groundfish on board.

(10) South Reef YRCA. The latitude and longitude coordinates of the South Reef YRCA boundaries are specified at § 660.70, subpart C. Fishing with open access gear is prohibited within the South Reef YRCA, on dates when the closure is in effect. It is unlawful to take and retain, possess, or land groundfish taken with open access gear within the South Reef YRCA, on dates when the closure is in effect. The closure is not in effect at this time. This closure may be imposed through inseason adjustment. Open access gear vessels may transit through the South Reef YRCA, at any time, with or without groundfish on board.

(11) Reading Rock YRCA. The latitude and longitude coordinates of the Reading Rock YRCA boundaries are specified at § 660.70, subpart C. Fishing with open access gear is prohibited within the Reading Rock YRCA, on dates when the closure is in effect. It is unlawful to take and retain, possess, or land groundfish taken with open access gear within the Reading Rock YRCA, on dates when the closure is in effect. The closure is not in effect at this time. This closure may be imposed through inseason adjustment. Open access gear vessels may transit through the Reading Rock YRCA, at any time, with or without groundfish on board.

(12) Point Delgada (North) YRCA. The latitude and longitude coordinates of the Point Delgada (North) YRCA boundaries are specified at § 660.70, subpart C. Fishing with open access gear is prohibited within the Point Delgada (North) YRCA, on dates when the closure is in effect. It is unlawful to take and retain, possess, or land groundfish taken with open access gear within the Point Delgada (North) YRCA, on dates when the closure is in effect. The closure is not in effect at this time. This closure may be imposed through inseason adjustment. Open access gear vessels may transit through the Point Delgada (North) YRCA, at any time, with or without groundfish on board.

(13) Point Delgada (South) YRCA. The latitude and longitude coordinates of the Point Delgada (South) YRCA boundaries are specified at § 660.70, subpart C. Fishing with open access gear is prohibited within the Point Delgada (South) YRCA, on dates when the closure is in effect. It is unlawful to take and retain, possess, or land groundfish taken with open access gear within the Point Delgada (South) YRCA, on dates when the closure is in effect. The closure is not in effect at this time. This closure may be imposed through inseason adjustment. Open access gear vessels may transit through the Point Delgada (South) YRCA, at any time, with or without groundfish on board.

(14) Salmon Troll Yelloweye Rockfish Conservation Area (YRCA). The latitude and longitude coordinates of the Salmon Troll YRCA boundaries are specified in the groundfish regulations at § 660.70, subpart C, and in the salmon regulations at § 660.405 . Fishing with salmon troll gear is prohibited within the Salmon Troll YRCA. It is unlawful for commercial salmon troll vessels to take and retain, possess, or land fish taken with salmon troll gear within the Salmon Troll YRCA. Open access vessels may transit through the Salmon Troll YRCA with or without fish on board.

(15) Nontrawl rockfish conservation area for the open access fisheries. The nontrawl RCAs are closed areas, defined by specific latitude and longitude coordinates (specified at §§ 660.70 through 660.73, subpart C) designed to approximate specific depth contours, where fishing for groundfish with nontrawl gear is prohibited. Boundaries for the nontrawl RCA throughout the year are provided in the open access trip limit tables, Table 3 (North) and Table 3 (South) of this subpart and may be modified by NMFS inseason pursuant to § 660.60(c).

(i) It is unlawful to operate a vessel in the nontrawl RCA that has nontrawl gear onboard and is not registered to a limited entry permit on a trip in which the vessel is used to take and retain or possess groundfish in the EEZ, or land groundfish taken in the EEZ, except for the purpose of continuous transiting, or when the use of nontrawl gear is authorized in part 660.

(ii) On any trip on which a groundfish species is taken with nontrawl open access gear and retained, the open access nontrawl vessel may transit through the nontrawl RCA only if all groundfish nontrawl gear is stowed either: Below deck; or if the gear cannot readily be moved, in a secured and covered manner, detached from all lines, so that it is rendered unusable for fishing.

(iii) The nontrawl RCA restrictions in this section apply to vessels taking and retaining or possessing groundfish in the EEZ, or landing groundfish taken in the EEZ. Unless otherwise authorized by part 660, a vessel may not retain any groundfish taken on a fishing trip for species other than groundfish that occurs within the nontrawl RCA. If a vessel fishes in a non-groundfish fishery in the nontrawl RCA, it may not participate in any fishing for groundfish on that trip that is prohibited within the nontrawl RCA. [For example, if a vessel fishes in the salmon troll fishery within the RCA, the vessel cannot on the same trip fish in the sablefish fishery outside of the RCA.]

(iv) Fishing for “other flatfish” off California (between 42° N lat. south to the U.S./Mexico border) is allowed within the nontrawl RCA with hook and line gear only; and provided a valid declaration report as required at § 660.13(d), has been filed with NMFS OLE.

(v) Target fishing for groundfish off Oregon and California (between 46°16′ N lat. and the U.S./Mexico border) is allowed within the nontrawl RCA for vessels participating in the directed open access sector as defined at § 660.11, subject to the gear restrictions at § 660.330(b)(3)(i-ii), and provided a valid declaration report as required at § 660.13(d) has been filed with NMFS OLE.

(16) Non-groundfish trawl rockfish conservation areas for the open access non-groundfish trawl fisheries. The non-groundfish trawl RCAs are closed areas, defined by specific latitude and longitude coordinates (specified at §§ 660.70 through 660.74, subpart C) designed to approximate specific depth contours, where fishing for groundfish with nontrawl gear is prohibited. Boundaries for the nontrawl RCA throughout the year are provided in the open access trip limit tables, Table 3 (North) and Table 3 (South) of this subpart and may be modified by NMFS in season pursuant to § 660.60(c).

(i) It is unlawful to operate a vessel in the non-groundfish trawl RCA with non-groundfish trawl gear onboard, except for the purpose of continuous transiting, or when the use of trawl gear is authorized in part 660. It is unlawful to take and retain, possess, or land groundfish taken with non-groundfish trawl gear within the nontrawl RCA, unless otherwise authorized in part 660.

(ii) Non-groundfish trawl vessels may transit through the non-groundfish trawl RCA, with or without groundfish on board, provided all non-groundfish trawl gear is stowed either: Below deck; or if the gear cannot readily be moved, in a secured and covered manner, detached from all towing lines, so that it is rendered unusable for fishing; or remaining on deck uncovered if the trawl doors are hung from their stanchions and the net is disconnected from the doors.

(iii) The non-groundfish trawl RCA restrictions in this section apply to vessels taking and retaining or possessing groundfish in the EEZ, or landing groundfish taken in the EEZ. Unless otherwise authorized by Part 660, it is unlawful for a vessel to retain any groundfish taken on a fishing trip for species other than groundfish that occurs within the non-groundfish trawl RCA. If a vessel fishes in a non-groundfish fishery in the non-groundfish trawl RCA, it may not participate in any fishing on that trip that is prohibited within the non-groundfish trawl RCA. Nothing in these Federal regulations supersedes any state regulations that may prohibit trawling shoreward of the fishery management area (3–200 nm).

(iv) It is lawful to fish with non-groundfish trawl gear within the non-groundfish trawl RCA only under the following conditions:

(A) Pink shrimp trawling is permitted in the non-groundfish trawl RCA when a valid declaration report as required at § 660.12(d), subpart C, has been filed with NMFS OLE. Groundfish caught with pink shrimp trawl gear may be retained anywhere in the EEZ and are subject to the limits in Table 3 (North) and Table 3 (South) of this subpart.

(B) When the shoreward line of the trawl RCA is shallower than 100 fm (183 m), vessels using ridgeback prawn trawl gear south of 34°27.00′ N lat. may operate out to the 100 fm (183 m) boundary line specified at § 660.73, when a valid declaration report as required at § 660.13(d), has been filed with NMFS OLE. Groundfish caught with ridgeback prawn trawl gear are subject to the limits in Table 3 (North) and Table 3 (South) of this subpart.

(17) Farallon Islands. Under California law, commercial fishing for all groundfish is prohibited between the shoreline and the 10 fm (18 m) depth contour around the Farallon Islands. An exception to this prohibition is that commercial fishing for “other flatfish” is allowed around the Farallon Islands using hook and line gear only. (See Table 2 (South) of this subpart.) For a definition of the Farallon Islands, see § 660.70, subpart C.

(18) Cordell Bank. Commercial fishing for groundfish is prohibited in waters of depths less than 100-fm (183-m) around Cordell Bank, as defined by specific latitude and longitude coordinates at § 660.70, subpart C. An exception to this prohibition is that commercial fishing for “other flatfish” is allowed around Cordell Bank using hook and line gear only.

(19) Groundfish exclusion areas (GEAs). The GEAs are closed areas in the Southern California Bight, defined by specific latitude and longitude coordinates (specified at § 660.70) where commercial and recreational fishing for groundfish is prohibited. It is unlawful to fish for, take and retain, possess (except for the purpose of continuous transit) or land groundfish within the GEAs. All fishing gear for targeting groundfish must be stowed while transiting through a GEA. If fishing for non-groundfish species within a GEA, then no groundfish may be on board the vessel.

(c) * * *

(3) * * *

(i) * * *

(B) Groundfish exclusion areas (GEAs). The GEAs are closed areas in the Southern California Bight, defined by specific latitude and longitude coordinates (specified at § 660.70) where commercial and recreational fishing for groundfish is prohibited. It is unlawful to fish for, take and retain, possess (except for the purpose of continuous transit) or land groundfish within the GEAs. Recreational fishing gear for targeting groundfish may not be deployed while transiting through a GEA. If fishing for non-groundfish species within a GEA, then no groundfish may be on board the vessel.

(iv) * * *

(A) Seasons. Recreational fishing for “Other Flatfish,” petrale sole, and starry flounder is open from January 1 through December 31. When recreational fishing for “Other Flatfish,” petrale sole, and starry flounder is open, it is permitted both outside and within the recreational RCAs described in paragraph (c)(3)(i) of this section.

[FR Doc. 2023–18411 Filed 8–29–23; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3510–22–P