Rule2025-18079
Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Fisheries Off West Coast States; Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery; 2025-2026 Biennial Specifications and Management Measures; Inseason Adjustments
Primary source
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Published
September 18, 2025
Effective
September 18, 2025
Issuing agencies
Commerce DepartmentNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Abstract
This final rule announces routine inseason adjustments to management measures in commercial and recreational groundfish fisheries. These inseason adjustments will change depth restrictions and trip limits for some stocks in recreational and commercial groundfish fisheries off the California coast to allow more attainment of healthy stocks that co-occur with California quillback rockfish. This action is intended to allow commercial and recreational fishing vessels to access more abundant groundfish stocks while protecting overfished and depleted stocks.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 179 (Thursday, September 18, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 179 (Thursday, September 18, 2025)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 44998-45006]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-18079]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 660
[Docket No. 241022-0278]
RIN 0648-BO00
Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Fisheries Off West Coast States;
Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery; 2025-2026 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. These inseason adjustments will change depth restrictions
and trip limits for some stocks in recreational and commercial
groundfish fisheries off the California coast to allow more attainment
of healthy stocks that co-occur with California quillback rockfish.
This action is intended to allow commercial and recreational fishing
vessels to access more abundant groundfish stocks while protecting
overfished and depleted stocks.
DATES: This final rule is effective September 18, 2025.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gretchen Hanshew, 206-526-6147,
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#cfa8bdaabbaca7aaa1e1a7aea1bca7aab88fa1a0aeaee1a8a0b9"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="dfb8adbaabbcb7bab1f1b7beb1acb7baa89fb1b0bebef1b8b0a9">[email protected]</span></a>.
Electronic Access
This rule is accessible via the internet at the Office of the
Federal Register website at <a href="https://www.federalregister.gov">https://www.federalregister.gov</a>. Background
information and documents are available at the Pacific Fishery
Management Council's website at <a href="https://www.pcouncil.org/">https://www.pcouncil.org/</a>.
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
groundfish off the coasts of Washington, Oregon, and California.
Pacific Coast groundfish fisheries are managed using harvest
specifications or limits (e.g., overfishing limits [OFL],
[[Page 44999]]
acceptable biological catch [ABC], annual catch limits [ACL], and
harvest guidelines [HG]) recommended by the Pacific Fishery Management
Council (Council) and based on the best scientific information
available (BSIA) 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.
Based on recommendations from the Council, NMFS develops and implements
groundfish harvest specifications and management measures for 2-year
periods (i.e., a biennium).
NMFS published the final rule to implement harvest specifications
and management measures for the 2025-2026 biennium for most species
managed under the PCGFMP on December 16, 2024 (89 FR 101514). That
final rule was effective January 1, 2025. In general, 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
annual allocations for each stock. During the fishing year, the Council
recommends adjustments to the biennial management measures to achieve
this goal.
At its June 13-16, 2025 meeting, the Council recommended two
inseason actions for the Pacific Coast groundfish fishery. The first
involves commercial sablefish trip limits and was published in the
Federal Register and effective on July 21, 2025 (90 FR 34186). The
second inseason action involves changes in management measures for the
recreational and commercial groundfish fisheries off the coast of
northern and central California, and is discussed below.
The harvest specifications and mitigation measures developed for
the 2025-2026 biennium used data through the 2023 fishing year.
California quillback rockfish (Sebastes maliger) was determined by
NMFS, in December 2023, to be overfished. Thus, in an effort to take
precautionary steps prior to the implementation of a rebuilding plan,
the Council recommended and NMFS implemented restrictive commercial and
recreational measures, as inseason changes, in autumn 2023 (88 FR
67656, October 2, 2023), to use all means available to conserve
California quillback rockfish. These restrictive measures were retained
in the 2025-2026 harvest specifications and management measures.
The adjustments provided in this inseason action are based on
updated information that was unavailable when the analysis for the
current harvest specifications, management measures, and the rebuilding
plan was completed. As new fisheries data becomes available,
adjustments to management measures are appropriate in order to help
harvesters achieve but not exceed the catch limits. Accordingly, at its
June 2025 meeting, the Council considered input from its advisory
bodies on a draft 2025 benchmark stock assessment for California
quillback rockfish (hereafter quillback rockfish), which showed
preliminary results that the estimated harvestable surplus for 2027
would be approximately 6 times higher than the 2025 ACL, and that the
stock is not overfished and may never have been in an overfished
condition. Contingent upon the outcome of the stock assessment review
process producing a final stock assessment substantially similar to the
draft available in June, the Council recommended inseason changes to
the 2025-2026 groundfish management measures with the intent of
relieving restrictions on stocks that co-occur with quillback rockfish.
The benchmark assessment was accepted by a peer review in July 2025
and, on September 3, 2025, the final benchmark stock assessment was
endorsed by the Council's Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC).
On September 4, 2025, NMFS determined that the 2025 stock assessment
represents new best scientific information available (BSIA) and the
stock status for quillback rockfish is expected to be not overfished
and rebuilt. The final stock assessment estimates that the quillback
rockfish stock is above its proxy for maximum sustainable yield (MSY);
at 43.5 percent depletion estimated in 2025. Also, the stocks'
harvestable surplus is estimated in the 2025 assessment to be over six
times higher than the 2021 assessment estimate, with a projected OFL of
12.83 metric tons (mt) for 2027 compared to an OFL estimate of 2.11 mt
in 2023. Based on this new information, the Council recommended changes
to relieve restrictions for the remainder of the biennial period for
stocks that co-occur with quillback rockfish and are affecting boat
operators, fish processors, and coastal communities. The Council did
not recommend changes to routine management measures that directly
affect quillback rockfish. Retention of quillback rockfish will
therefore still be prohibited off much of the coast of California, and
the use of descending devices will still be required to resubmerge
incidentally caught quillback rockfish in commercial and recreational
hook and line fisheries. For these reasons, the recommended changes are
expected to help the various sectors of the fishery attain, but not
exceed, the catch limits for each stock, including quillback rockfish.
Recreational Fishery
During the 2025-2026 biennial process, the Council considered a
range of routine recreational fishery management measure configurations
off the coast of California, ranging from open all-depths year-round
(essentially unrestricted) to year-round depth-restrictions with
shortened open seasons (highly restricted). The wide range of
restrictions was analyzed with the intent of encompassing the
uncertainty in how catches in the fishery could accrue compared to
expectations and catch limits, and to allow the Council to consider
adaptive management based on new information.
Since the implementation of fishery restrictions on quillback
rockfish and species that co-occur with quillback rockfish in late
2023, the Council and NMFS staff have received continuous comments from
commercial and recreational fishery participants on the adverse
economic impacts of such restrictions to California coastal
communities. Most recently, at its June 2025 meeting, the Council
received public comments from recreational fishery representatives
describing the hardships created by the current depth restrictions and
current fishery restrictions, including how offshore fishing increased
fuel costs and transit time and how regulatory discards of commonly
encountered stocks were negatively affecting charter passengers
perceived quality and value of trips.
Based on new scientific information regarding the improved status
of the quillback rockfish stock, and in light of the hardships that
recreational fishery participants are experiencing, in June 2025, the
Council recommended all-depth recreational fishing for rockfish,
cabezon, and greenling (referred to as the ``RCG Complex'' in
California recreational regulations) and lingcod, during the open
season for the Northern, Mendocino, San Francisco, and Central
groundfish management areas from April 1 through December 31, for the
remainder of the biennial period (2025-26). For the same reasons, and
to reduce regulatory complexity, the Council also recommended removal
of the management line at Point Lopez (36[deg] North latitude (N lat.))
to recombine the two sub-areas that were created within the Central
groundfish management area in 2023.
[[Page 45000]]
Consistent with Council recommendations, NMFS is modifying
regulatory text at 50 CFR 660.360(c)(3)(i)(A), sub-paragraphs (1)
through (4) for the Northern, Mendocino, San Francisco, and Central
groundfish management areas to read as follows: ``recreational fishing
for the RCG Complex and lingcod is closed from January 1 through March
31 and is open at all-depths from April 1 through December 31.''
Commercial Fishery
During the 2025-26 biennial process, the Council considered how
adjustments to routine non-trawl commercial fishery management measures
could be made inseason to meet the goals and objectives of the FMP.
The non-trawl commercial sector in California has had very
restrictive management measures since 2023 to reduce the likelihood of
catching quillback rockfish, either as a target stock or incidentally
when targeting other co-occurring stocks. These Federal regulations,
combined with concurrently restrictive state rules in state waters,
effectively closed commercial groundfish fishing in state waters
between 42[deg] N lat. and 37[deg]07' N lat., for all commercial
fishing vessels, with the exception of state nearshore permit holders
fishing exclusively in state waters under state regulations.
Since 2023, the Council has received comments from industry,
describing very limited access to groundfish fishery resources in
northern and central California. The negative impact from groundfish
restrictions is compounded for fishermen, processors, and coastal
communities off California by a continued closure of all commercial
salmon fishing opportunities in 2025. Therefore, based on the new BSIA
regarding the improved status of the quillback rockfish stock, in order
to alleviate restrictions on the non-trawl commercial groundfish
fishery, the Council recommended, and NMFS is implementing, inseason
adjustments to increase trip limits for a number of healthy and
underutilized stocks that co-occur with quillback rockfish, but for
which trip limits were restricted in 2023. The Council also
recommended, and NMFS is implementing, inseason action to reduce depth-
based closures for this fishery, thus allowing greater access to depths
where healthy deeper nearshore and shelf stocks that co-occur with
quillback rockfish may be accessed.
These inseason adjustments will generally revert trip limits and
depth-based closures to those in place prior to the quillback rockfish
restrictions. Consistent with Council recommendations, NMFS is
modifying regulatory text in Tables 2a and 2b to Part 660, Subpart E
and Tables 3a and 3b, Subpart F to implement non-trawl Rockfish
Conservation Area (RCA) boundaries and trip limits, as described in
Tables 1 through 9 below.
Table 1--Non-Trawl Rockfish Conservation Area (RCA) Boundaries for the
Limited Entry Fixed Gear (LEFG) and Open Access (OA) Non-Trawl Fisheries
Between 42[deg] N Lat. and 34[deg]27' N Lat.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Area Current boundary New boundary
------------------------------------------------------------------------
42[deg] N lat.-40[deg]10' N lat. Shoreward EEZ-75 30 fm line-75 fm
fm line. line.
40[deg]10' N. lat.-38[deg]57.5' Shoreward EEZ-75 40 fm line-75 fm
N lat. fm line. line.
38[deg]57.5' N lat.-37[deg]07' N Shoreward EEZ-75 50 fm line-75 fm
lat. fm line. line.
37[deg]07' N lat.-34[deg]27' N 50 fm line-75 fm 50 fm line-75 fm
lat. line. line.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Table 2--Trip Limit Structure for LEFG and OA Nearshore Rockfish in Current Regulation and as Modified by This
Inseason Action
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Option Habitat Management area Trip limits
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New trip limits.................... Black rockfish........ 42[deg] N lat.- 7,000 lb (3,175 kg)/2
40[deg]10' N lat. months.
Nearshore............. 42[deg] N lat.- 2,000 lb (907 kg)/2 months,
40[deg]10' N lat. of which no more than 75
lb (34 kg) may be copper
rockfish.
Shallow nearshore..... 40[deg]10' N lat.- 2,000 lb (907 kg)/2 months.
36[deg] N lat.
South of 36[deg] N lat 2,000 lb (907 kg)/2 months.
Deeper nearshore...... 40[deg]10' N lat.- 2,000 lb (907 kg)/2 months,
36[deg] N lat. of which no more than 75
lb (34 kg) may be copper
rockfish.
South of 36[deg] N lat 2,000 lb (907 kg)/2 months,
of which no more than 75
lb (34 kg) may be copper
rockfish.
Current trip limits................ Black rockfish........ 42[deg] N lat.- CLOSED.
40[deg]10' N lat.
Nearshore............. 42[deg] N lat.- 0 lb (0 kg)/2 months.
40[deg]10' N lat.
Shallow nearshore..... 40[deg]10' N lat.- 0 lb (0 kg)/2 months.
37[deg]07' N lat.
South of 37[deg]07' N 2,000 lb (907 kg)/2 months.
lat.
Deeper nearshore...... 40[deg]10' N lat.- 0 lb (0 kg)/2 months.
37[deg]07' N lat.
South of 37[deg]07' N 2,000 lb (907 kg)/2 months,
lat. of which no more than 75
lb (34 kg) may be copper
rockfish.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Table 3--Trip Limit Structure for LEFG and OA Cabezon in California in
Current Regulation and as Modified by This Inseason Action
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Option Management area Trip limits
------------------------------------------------------------------------
New trip limits............... 42[deg] N lat.- Unlimited.
40[deg]10' N lat.
40[deg]10' N lat.- Unlimited.
36[deg] N lat.
South of 36[deg] Unlimited.
N lat.
Current trip limits........... 42[deg] N lat.- 0 lb (0 kg)/2 months.
40[deg]10' N lat.
40[deg]10' N lat.- 0 lb (0 kg)/2 months.
37[deg]07' N lat.
South of Unlimited.
37[deg]07' N lat.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 45001]]
Table 4--Trip Limit Structure for LEFG Lingcod in California in Current
Regulation and as Modified by This Inseason Action
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Option Management area Trip limits
------------------------------------------------------------------------
New trip limits............... 42[deg] N lat.- 2,000 lb (907 kg)/2
40[deg]10' N lat. months.
40[deg]10' N lat.- 1,600 lb (726 kg)/2
36[deg] N lat. months.
South of 36[deg] 1,600 lb (726 kg)/2
N lat. months.
Current trip limits........... 42[deg] N lat.- 2,000 lb (907 kg)/2
40[deg]10' N lat. months seaward of
the Non-Trawl RCA;
CLOSED inside the
Non-Trawl RCA.
40[deg]10' N lat.- 1,600 lb (726 kg)/2
37[deg]07' N lat. months seaward of
the Non-Trawl RCA;
CLOSED inside of the
Non-Trawl RCA.
South of 1,600 lb (726 kg)/2
37[deg]07' N lat. months.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Table 5--Trip Limit Structure for OA Lingcod in California in Current
Regulation and as Modified by This Inseason Action
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Option Management area Trip limits
------------------------------------------------------------------------
New trip limits............... 42[deg] N lat.- 2,000 lb (907 kg)/2
40[deg]10' N lat. months.
40[deg]10' N lat.- 1,400 lb (635 kg)/2
36[deg] N lat. months.
South of 36[deg] 1,400 lb (635 kg)/2
N lat. months.
Current trip limits........... 42[deg] N lat.- 2,000 lb (907 kg)/2
40[deg]10' N lat. months seaward of
the Non-Trawl RCA;
CLOSED inside the
Non-Trawl RCA.
40[deg]10' N lat.- 1,400 lb (635 kg)/2
37[deg]07' N lat. months seaward of
the Non-Trawl RCA;
CLOSED inside of the
Non-Trawl RCA.
South of 1,400 lb (635 kg)/2
37[deg]07' N lat. months.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Table 6--Trip Limit Structure for LEFG Other Flatfish in California in
Current Regulation and as Modified by This Inseason Action
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Option Management area Trip limits
------------------------------------------------------------------------
New trip limits............... 42[deg] N lat.- 20,000 lb (9,072 kg)/
40[deg]10' N lat. 2 months.
40[deg]10' N lat.- 20,000 lb (9,072 kg)/
36[deg] N lat. 2 months.
South of 36[deg] 20,000 lb (9,072 kg)/
N lat. 2 months.
Current trip limits........... 42[deg] N lat.- 20,000 lb (9,072 kg)/
40[deg]10' N lat. 2 months seaward of
the Non-Trawl RCA;
CLOSED inside the
Non-Trawl RCA.
40[deg]10' N lat.- 20,000 lb (9,072 kg)/
37[deg]07' N lat. 2 months seaward of
the Non-Trawl RCA;
CLOSED inside of the
Non-Trawl RCA.
South of 20,000 lb (9,072 kg)/
37[deg]07' N lat. 2 months.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Table 7--Trip Limit Structure for OA Other Flatfish in California in
Current Regulation and as Modified by This Inseason Action
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Option Management area Trip limits
------------------------------------------------------------------------
New trip limits............... 42[deg] N lat.- 10,000 lb (4,536 kg)/
40[deg]10' N lat. 2 months.
40[deg]10' N lat.- 10,000 lb (4,536 kg)/
36[deg] N lat. 2 months.
South of 36[deg] 10,000 lb (4,536 kg)/
N lat. 2 months.
Current trip limits........... 42[deg] N lat.- 10,000 lb (4,536 kg)/
40[deg]10' N lat. 2 months seaward of
the Non-Trawl RCA;
CLOSED inside the
Non-Trawl RCA.
40[deg]10' N lat.- 10,000 lb (4,536 kg)/
37[deg]07' N lat. 2 months seaward of
the Non-Trawl RCA;
CLOSED inside of the
Non-Trawl RCA.
South of 10,000 lb (4,536 kg)/
37[deg]07' N lat. 2 months.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Table 8--Trip Limit structure for LEFG Shelf Rockfish in California in
Current Regulation and as Modified by This Inseason Action
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Option Management area Trip limits
------------------------------------------------------------------------
New trip limits............... 40[deg]10' N lat.- 8,000 lb (3,629 kg)/2
34[deg]27' N lat. months, of which no
more than 500 lb
(227 kg) may be
vermilion/sunset
rockfish.
Current trip limit............ 40[deg]10' N lat.- 6,000 lb (2,722 kg)/2
37[deg]07' N lat. months, of which no
more than 500 lb
(227 kg) may be
vermilion/sunset
rockfish.
37[deg]07' N lat.- 8,000 lb (3,629 kg)/2
34[deg]27' N lat. months, of which no
more than 500 lb
(227 kg) may be
vermilion/sunset
rockfish.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 45002]]
Table 9--Trip Limit Structure for OA Shelf Rockfish in California in
Current Regulation and as Modified by This Inseason Action
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Option Management area Trip limits
------------------------------------------------------------------------
New trip limits............... 40[deg]10' N lat.- 4,000 lb (1,814 kg)/2
34[deg]27' N lat. months, of which no
more than 300 lb
(136 kg) may be
vermilion/sunset
rockfish.
South of 4,000 lb (1,814 kg)/2
34[deg]27' N lat. months, of which no
more than 300 lb
(136 kg) may be
vermilion/sunset
rockfish.
Current trip limits........... 40[deg]10' N lat.- 3,000 lb (1,361 kg)/2
37[deg]07' N lat. months, of which no
more than 300 lb
(136 kg) may be
vermilion/sunset
rockfish.
37[deg]07' N lat.- 4,000 lb (1,814 kg)/2
34[deg]27' N lat. months, of which no
more than 300 lb
(136 kg) may be
vermilion/sunset
rockfish.
South of 3,000 lb (1,361 kg)/2
34[deg]27' N lat. months, of which no
more than 900 lb
(408 kg) may be
vermilion/sunset
rockfish.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Classification
This final rule makes routine inseason adjustments to groundfish
fishery management measures, based on the BSIA, 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 Gretchen Hanshew in NMFS West Coast
Region (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section above), or view at
the NMFS West Coast groundfish website: <a href="https://www.westcoast.fisheries.noaa.gov/fisheries/groundfish/index.html">https://www.westcoast.fisheries.noaa.gov/fisheries/groundfish/index.html</a>.
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. The routine adjustments to management measures in this rule
are designed to increase harvest of groundfish species while keeping
catch within allocations established by the 2025-2026 harvest
specifications.
The Council recommended, and NMFS is implementing, a decrease in
the size of the depth-based closed areas that the commercial and
recreational groundfish fisheries off the coast of Northern and Central
California are subject to. Additionally, the Council recommended, and
NMFS is implementing, trip limit increases in the limited entry fixed
gear (LEFG) and open access (OA) commercial groundfish fisheries, off
the coast of Northern and Central California, for black rockfish,
nearshore rockfish, shallow nearshore rockfish, deeper nearshore
rockfish, cabezon, lingcod, the Other flatfish complex, and shelf
rockfish. These inseason changes are in response to new BSIA regarding
the stock status of quillback rockfish and need to be enacted for the
remainder of the 2025-2026 biennium to avoid continuing restrictions
that are not necessary to limit the effects of the fishery on quillback
rockfish. Delaying implementation to allow for public comment would
impact the fishery's ability to attain, but not exceed, harvest
specifications for underutilized stocks that co-occur with quillback
rockfish. Additionally, relief from similar restrictions has recently
been implemented by the State of California in state waters, which is
reportedly creating confusion among fishermen because of the
inconsistency between regulations in adjacent federal waters. Thus,
delaying these inseason changes would be contrary to the public
interest due to the potential for continued confusion for the affected
public. Finally, providing a comment period for this action would
unnecessarily limit the economic benefits intended by this action and
of the overall fishery to fishery participants and fishery-dependent
businesses and communities. No aspect of this action is controversial,
and changes of this nature were anticipated in the final rule for the
2025-2026 harvest specifications and management measures, which
published on December 16, 2024 (89 FR 101514). Routine inseason changes
of this nature are also anticipated in the process described in
regulations at 50 CFR 660.60(c).
For these same reasons, 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. These
adjustments were requested by the Council's advisory bodies, as well as
members of industry during the Council's June 2025 meeting, and
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 for 2025-2026
(89 FR 101514), which were established through a notice and comment
rulemaking.
List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 660
Fisheries, Fishing, Indian Fisheries.
Dated: September 15, 2025.
Kelly Denit,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, 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. Amend table 2a (North) to part 660, subpart E by:
0
a. Removing the entries for ``46[deg]16' N lat.-42[deg]00' N lat.'' and
``42[deg]00' N lat.-40[deg]10' N lat.''; and
0
b. Adding the entry ``46[deg]16' N lat.-40[deg]10' N lat.'' at the end
of the table.
The addition reads as follows:
[[Page 45003]]
Table 2a (North) to Part 660, Subpart E--Non-Trawl Rockfish Conservation
Area Boundaries
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Latitude Boundary
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * * * * * *
46[deg]16' N lat.-40[deg]10' N lat..... 30 fm line-75 fm line.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * * * *
0
3. Amend table 2b (North), to part 660, subpart E by:
a. Revising the entries for ``Black rockfish (42[deg]00' N lat.-
40[deg]10' N lat.)'', ``Cabezon (42[deg]00' N lat.-40[deg]10' N
lat.)'', ``Lingcod (42[deg]00' N lat.-40[deg]10' N lat.)'', and
``Nearshore rockfish complex (42[deg]00' N lat.-40[deg]10' N lat.)'';
0
b. Removing the entries ``Other flatfish complex (north of 42[deg]00' N
lat.)'' and ``Other flatfish complex (42[deg]00' N lat.-40[deg]10' N
lat.)''; and
0
c. Adding the entry ``Other flatfish complex'' in alphabetical order.
The revisions and addition read as follows:
Table 2b (North) to Part 660, Subpart E--Trip Limits for Limited Entry
Fixed Gear North of 40[deg]10' N Lat.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Trip limit
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * * * * * *
Black rockfish (42[deg]00' N lat.- 7,000 lb/2 months.
40[deg]10' N lat.).
Cabezon (42[deg]00' N lat.-40[deg]10' N Unlimited.
lat.).
* * * * * * *
Lingcod (42[deg]00' N lat.-40[deg]10' N 2,000 lb/2 months.
lat.).
* * * * * * *
Nearshore rockfish complex (42[deg]00' 2,000 lb/2 months, of which no
N lat.-40[deg]10' N lat.). more than 75 lb may be copper
rockfish.
* * * * * * *
Other flatfish complex................. 20,000 lb/2 months.
* * * * * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * * * *
0
4. Amend table 2a (South) to part 660, subpart E by:
0
a. Removing the entries ``40[deg]10' N lat.-37[deg]07' N lat.'' and
``37[deg]07' N lat.-34[deg]27' N lat.''; and
0
b. Adding entries for ``40[deg]10' N lat.-38[deg]57.5' N lat.'' and
``38[deg]57.5' N lat.-34[deg]27' N lat.'' at the beginning of the
table.
The additions read as follows:
Table 2a (South) to Part 660, Subpart E--Non-Trawl Rockfish Conservation
Area Boundaries
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Latitude Boundary
------------------------------------------------------------------------
40[deg]10' N lat.-38[deg]57.5' N lat... 40 fm line-75 fm line.
38[deg]57.5' N lat.-34[deg]27' N lat... 50 fm line-75 fm line.
* * * * * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * * * *
0
5. Amend table 2b (South) to part 660, subpart E by:
0
a. Removing the entries for ``Cabezon (40[deg]10' N lat.-37[deg]07' N
lat.)'' and ``Cabezon (south of 37[deg]07' N lat.)'' and adding the
entry ``Cabezon'' in their place;
0
b. Removing the entries for ``Lingcod (40[deg]10' N lat.-37[deg]07' N
lat.)'' and ``Lingcod (south of 37[deg]07' N lat.)'' and adding the
entry ``Lingcod'' in their place;
0
c. Removing the entries for ``Shallow nearshore rockfish complex
(40[deg]10' N lat.-37[deg]07' N lat.)'' and ``Shallow nearshore
rockfish complex (south of 37[deg]07' N lat.)'' and adding the entry
``Shallow nearshore rockfish complex'' in their place;
0
d. Removing the entries for ``Deeper nearshore rockfish complex
(40[deg]10' N lat.-37[deg]07' N lat.)'' and ``Deeper nearshore rockfish
complex (south of 37[deg]07' N lat.)'' and adding the entry ``Deeper
nearshore rockfish complex'' in their place;
e. Removing the entries for ``Other flatfish complex (40[deg]10' N
lat.-37[deg]07' N lat.)'' and ``Other flatfish complex (south of
37[deg]07' N lat.)'' and adding the entry ``Other flatfish complex'' in
their place; and
0
f. Removing the entries for ``Shelf rockfish complex (40[deg]10' N
lat.-37[deg] 07' N lat.); excludes bronzespotted rockfish'' and ``Shelf
rockfish complex (37[deg]07' N lat.-34[deg]27' N lat.); excludes
bronzespotted rockfish'' and adding the entry ``Shelf rockfish complex
(40[deg]10' N lat.-34[deg]27' N lat.); excludes bronzespotted
rockfish'' in their place.
The additions read as follows:
[[Page 45004]]
Table 2b (South) to Part 660, Subpart E--Trip Limits for Limited Entry
Fixed Gear South of 40[deg]10' N Lat.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Trip limit
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * * * * * *
Cabezon................................ Unlimited.
* * * * * * *
Lingcod................................ 1,600 lb/2 months.
* * * * * * *
Shallow nearshore rockfish complex..... 2,000 lb/2 months.
Deeper nearshore rockfish complex...... 2,000 lb/2 months, of which no
more than 75 lb may be copper
rockfish.
* * * * * * *
Other flatfish complex................. 20,000 lb/2 months.
* * * * * * *
Shelf rockfish complex (40[deg]10' N 8,000 lb per 2 months, of which
lat.-34[deg] 27' N lat.); excludes no more than 500 lb may be
bronzespotted rockfish. vermilion/sunset rockfish.
* * * * * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * * * *
0
6. Amend table 3a (North), to part 660, subpart F by revising the entry
for ``42[deg]00' N lat.-40[deg]10' N lat.'' to read as follows:
Table 3a (North) to Part 660, Subpart F--Non-Trawl Rockfish Conservation
Area Boundaries
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Latitude Boundary
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * * * * * *
42[deg]00' N lat.-40[deg]10' N lat..... 30 fm line-75 fm line.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * * * *
0
7. Amend table 3b (North) to part 660, subpart F by:
0
a. Revising the entries for ``Black rockfish (42[deg]00' N lat.-
40[deg]10' N lat.)'', ``Cabezon (42[deg]00' N lat.-40[deg]10' N
lat.)'', ``Lingcod (42[deg]00' N lat.-40[deg]10' N lat.)'', and
``Nearshore rockfish complex (42[deg]00' N lat.-40[deg]10' N lat.)'';
and
0
b. Removing the entries for ``Other flatfish complex (north of
42[deg]00' N lat.)'' and ``Other flatfish complex (42[deg]00' N lat.-
40[deg]10' N lat.)'' and adding the entry ``Other flatfish complex'' in
their place.
The revisions and addition read as follows:
Table 3b (North) to Part 660, Subpart F--Trip Limits for Open Access
North of 40[deg]10' N Lat.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Trip limit
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * * * * * *
Black rockfish (42[deg]00' N lat.- 7,000 lb/2 months.
40[deg]10' N lat.).
Cabezon (42[deg]00' N lat.-40[deg]10' N Unlimited.
lat.).
* * * * * * *
Lingcod (42[deg]00' N lat.-40[deg]10' N 2,000 lb/2 months.
lat.).
* * * * * * *
Nearshore rockfish complex (42[deg]00' 2,000 lb/2 months, of which no
N lat.-40[deg]10' N lat.). more than 75 lb may be copper
rockfish.
* * * * * * *
Other flatfish complex................. 10,000 lb/2 months.
* * * * * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * * * *
0
8. Amend table 3a (South) to part 660, subpart F by:
0
a. Removing the entries for ``40[deg]10' N lat.-37[deg]07' N lat.'' and
``37[deg]07' N lat.-34[deg]27' N lat.''; and
0
b. Adding the entries ``40[deg]10' N lat.-38[deg] 57.5' N lat.'' and
``38[deg]57.5' N lat.-34[deg]27' N lat.'' at the beginning of the
table.
The additions read as follows:
[[Page 45005]]
Table 3a (South) to Part 660, Subpart F--Non-Trawl Rockfish Conservation
Area Boundaries
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Latitude Boundary
------------------------------------------------------------------------
40[deg]10' N lat.-38[deg]57.5' N lat... 40 fm line-75 fm line.
38[deg]57.5' N lat.-34[deg]27' N lat... 50 fm line-75 fm line.
* * * * * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * * * *
0
9. Amend table 3b (South) to part 660, subpart F by:
0
a. Removing the entries for ``Cabezon (40[deg]10' N lat.-37[deg]07' N
lat.)'' and ``Cabezon (south of 37[deg]07' N lat.)'' and adding the
entry ``Cabezon'' in their place;
0
b. Removing the entries for ``Lingcod (40[deg]10' N lat.-37[deg]07' N
lat.)'' and ``Lingcod (south of 37[deg]07' N lat.)'' and adding the
entry ``Lingcod (south of 40[deg]10' N lat.)'' in their place;
0
c. Removing the entries for ``Shallow nearshore rockfish (40[deg]10' N
lat.-37[deg] 07' N lat.)'' and ``Shallow nearshore rockfish complex
(south of 37[deg]07' N lat.)'' and adding the entry ``Shallow nearshore
rockfish (south of 40[deg]10' N lat.)'' in their place;
0
d. Removing the entries for ``Deeper nearshore rockfish (40[deg]10' N
lat.-37[deg] 07' N lat.)'' and ``Deeper nearshore rockfish (south of
37[deg]07' N lat.)'' and adding the entry ``Deeper nearshore rockfish
(south of 40[deg]10' N lat.)'' in their place;
0
e. Removing the entries for ``Other flatfish complex (defined at Sec.
660.11) (40[deg]10' N lat.-37[deg]07' N lat.)'' and ``Other flatfish
complex (defined at Sec. 660.11) (South of 37[deg]07' N lat.)'' and
adding the entry ``Other flatfish complex (defined at Sec. 660.11)''
in their place; and
0
f. Removing the entries for ``Shelf rockfish complex (40[deg]10' N
lat.-37[deg]07' N lat.); excludes bronzespotted rockfish'' and ``Shelf
rockfish complex (37[deg]07' N lat.-34[deg]27' N lat.); excludes
bronzespotted rockfish'' and adding the entry ``Shelf rockfish complex
(40[deg]10' N lat.-34[deg]27' N lat.); excludes bronzespotted
rockfish'' in their place.
The additions read as follows:
Table 3b (South) to Part 660, Subpart F--Trip Limits for Open Access
South of 40[deg]10' N Lat.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Trip limit
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * * * * * *
Cabezon................................ Unlimited.
* * * * * * *
Lingcod (south of 40[deg]10' N lat.)... 1,400 lb/2 months.
* * * * * * *
Shallow nearshore rockfish (south of 2,000 lb/2 months.
40[deg]10' N lat.).
Deeper nearshore rockfish (south of 2,000 lb/2 months, of which no
40[deg]10' N lat.). more than 75 lb may be copper
rockfish.
* * * * * * *
Other flatfish complex (defined at Sec. 10,000 lb/2 months.
660.11).
* * * * * * *
Shelf rockfish complex (40[deg]10' N 4,000 lb per 2 months, of which
lat.-34[deg]27' N lat.); excludes no more than 300 lb may be
bronzespotted rockfish. vermilion/sunset rockfish.
* * * * * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * * * *
0
10. In Sec. 660.360, revise paragraphs (c)(3)(i)(A) introductory text,
(c)(3)(i)(A)(1) through (4), (c)(3)(ii)(A)(1) through (4), and
(c)(3)(iii)(A)(1) through (4) to read as follows:
Sec. 660.360 Recreational fishery--management measures.
* * * * *
(c) * * *
(3) * * *
(i) * * *
(A) Recreational rockfish conservation areas. The Recreational RCAs
are areas that are closed to recreational fishing for certain
groundfish. Fishing for the California rockfish, cabezon, greenling
complex (RCG Complex), as defined in paragraph (c)(3)(ii) of this
section, and lingcod with recreational gear, is prohibited within the
Recreational RCA. It is unlawful to take and retain, possess, or land
the RCG Complex and lingcod taken with recreational gear within the
Recreational RCA, unless otherwise authorized in this section. A vessel
fishing in the Recreational RCA may not be in possession of any species
prohibited by the restrictions that apply within the Recreational RCA.
For example, if a vessel fishes in the recreational salmon fishery
within the Recreational RCA, the vessel cannot be in possession of the
RCG Complex and lingcod while in the Recreational RCA. The vessel may,
however, on the same trip fish for and retain rockfish shoreward of the
Recreational RCA on the return trip to port. If the season is closed
for a species or species group, fishing for that species or species
group is prohibited both within the Recreational RCA and outside of the
Recreational RCA, unless otherwise authorized in this section. In times
and areas where a Recreational RCA is in place, vessels may stop,
anchor in, or transit through waters closed by the Recreational RCA so
long as they do not have any hook-and-line fishing gear in the water.
Coordinates approximating boundary lines at the 30 fm (55 m) through
100 fm (183 m) depth contours can be found at Sec. Sec. 660.71 through
[[Page 45006]]
660.73. The recreational fishing season structure and RCA depth
boundaries seaward of California by management area and month are as
follows:
(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 January 1 through March 31 and is
open at all-depths from April 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 January 1 through March 31 and is open at all-depths
from April 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 from January 1 through March 31 and is open at
all-depths from April 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), recreational fishing for the RCG Complex and lingcod
is closed from January 1 through March 31 and is open at all-depths
from April 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 is closed from January 1 through March 31 and is open
April 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 is closed
from January 1 through March 31 and is open April 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 is
closed from January 1 through March 31 and is open April 1 through
December 31.
(4) Between 37[deg]11' N lat. and 34[deg]27' N lat. (Central
Management Area), recreational fishing for the RCG Complex is closed
from January 1 through March 31 and is open April 1 through December
31.
* * * * *
(iii) * * *
(A) * * *
(1) Between 42[deg] N lat. (California/Oregon border) and
40[deg]10' N lat. (Northern Management Area), recreational fishing for
lingcod 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).
(2) Between 40[deg]10' N lat. and 38[deg]57.50' N lat. (Mendocino
Management Area), recreational fishing for lingcod 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).
(3) Between 38[deg]57.50' N lat. and 37[deg]11' N lat. (San
Francisco Management Area), recreational fishing for lingcod 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).
(4) Between 37[deg]11' N lat. and 34[deg]27' N lat. (Central
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. 2025-18079 Filed 9-17-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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