[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 212 (Tuesday, November 3, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 67664-67671]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-27995]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 660
[Docket No. 140904754-5188-02]
RIN 0648-BF44
Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Fisheries Off West Coast States;
Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery; 2015-2016 Biennial Specifications and
Management Measures; Inseason Adjustments
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Final rule; inseason adjustments to biennial groundfish
management measures.
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SUMMARY: This final rule announces inseason changes to management
measures in the Pacific Coast groundfish fisheries. This action, which
is authorized by the Pacific Coast
[[Page 67665]]
Groundfish Fishery Management Plan (PCGFMP), is intended to allow
fisheries to access more abundant groundfish stocks while protecting
overfished and depleted stocks.
DATES: This final rule is effective October 29, 2015.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gretchen Hanshew, phone: 206-526-6147,
fax: 206-526-6736, or email: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Electronic Access
This rule is accessible via the Internet at the Office of the
Federal Register Web site at https://www.federalregister.gov.
Background information and documents are available at the Pacific
Fishery Management Council's Web site at http://www.pcouncil.org/.
Copies of the final environmental impact statement (FEIS) for the
Groundfish Specifications and Management Measures for 2015-2016 and
Biennial Periods Thereafter are available from Donald McIsaac,
Executive Director, Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council), 7700
NE Ambassador Place, Portland, OR 97220, phone: 503-820-2280.
Background
As part of biennial harvest specifications and management measures,
annual catch limits (ACLs) are set for non-whiting groundfish species,
deductions are made ``off-the-top'' from the ACL for various sources of
mortality (including non-groundfish fisheries that catch groundfish
incidentally, also called incidental open access fisheries) and the
remainder, the fishery harvest guideline, is allocated amongst the
various groundfish fisheries. The limited availability of overfished
species that can be taken as incidental catch in the Pacific whiting
fisheries, particularly darkblotched rockfish, Pacific ocean perch, and
canary rockfish, led NMFS to implement sector-specific allocations for
these species to the Pacific whiting fisheries. If the sector-specific
allocation for a non-whiting species is reached, NMFS may close one or
more of the at-sea sectors automatically, per regulations at Sec.
660.60(d).
The Council, in coordination with Pacific Coast Treaty Indian
Tribes and the States of Washington, Oregon, and California,
recommended changes to current groundfish management measures at its
September 9-16, 2015 meeting. The Council recommended taking a portion
of the darkblotched rockfish initially deducted from the ACL that would
likely go unharvested in 2015 and making it available to the mothership
(MS) and catcher/processor (C/P) sectors of the at-sea Pacific whiting
fishery, with no more than 5 metric tons (mt) to either sector.
Transferring Darkblotched Rockfish to the Mothership and Catcher/
Processor Sectors
At the September meeting, the MS sector requested an increase to
their darkblotched rockfish set-aside to accommodate higher than
anticipated bycatch rates in 2015 to prevent closure of the MS sector
prior to harvesting their full allocation of Pacific whiting, as
occurred temporarily in 2014 before darkblotched rockfish was
distributed to them (79 FR 69060, November 20, 2014). At the start of
2015, the C/P and MS sectors of the Pacific whiting fishery were
allocated 9.2 mt and 6.5 mt of darkblotched rockfish, respectively, per
regulations at Sec. 660.55(c)(1)(i)(A).
According to the best available fishery information, bycatch rates
of darkblotched rockfish in the MS sector have been more than double
the rate seen in 2014 (Agenda Item H.9.b, Public Comment, September
2015). Additionally, recent 2015 (late-summer and early autumn) bycatch
rates of darkblotched rockfish in the shoreside Pacific whiting sector
have been 3.5 times higher than this time last year. This raised
concerns that when the MS fleet returns in October from fishing in
Alaska, bycatch rates of darkblotched rockfish would be even higher
than they were in summer 2015. At the September meeting, best available
information regarding bycatch rates of darkblotched rockfish in the C/P
sector indicated that, if those rates continued, the Pacific whiting
allocation could be achieved prior to harvesting their 2015
darkblotched rockfish set-aside. However, the Council considered the
possibility of sudden, unexpected large bycatch events that
occasionally occur in the MS and C/P sectors, and how one or more of
those events could dramatically change the bycatch rates of
darkblotched rockfish, jeopardizing continuation of their seasons and
achievement of their 2015 Pacific whiting allocations.
To maintain 2015 harvest opportunities for the MS and C/P sectors
of the Pacific whiting fishery, the Council considered moving
darkblotched rockfish quota that would otherwise go unharvested in the
incidental open access fishery to the MS and C/P sectors. At the start
of 2015 a total of 20.8 mt of darkblotched rockfish was deducted from
the ACL, including 18.4 mt of to account for mortality in the
incidental open access fishery.
At its September 2015 meeting, the Council considered best
available information regarding harvest levels of darkblotched rockfish
in the incidental open access fishery to evaluate whether all 18.4 mt
would be harvested in 2015, and if any of those fish that would go
unharvested and could be transferred to the MS and C/P sectors inseason
to allow for continued fishing opportunities in those sectors. Harvest
of darkblotched rockfish in the incidental open access fisheries in
2011-2013 was below 6 mt per year, but the best estimate of mortality
in 2014 increased to 24 mt. It was hypothesized that the much higher
bycatch levels in 2014 may be due to a large 2013 darkblotched rockfish
year class being caught in the pink shrimp trawl fishery. There was
also anecdotal evidence that the use of light emitting diode (LED)
lights had become widespread in the 2015 pink shrimp fishery following
a 2014 research study, which could result in a drastic reduction in
bycatch of juvenile darkblotched rockfish when LED lights were affixed
to the shrimp trawl gear.
Therefore, the Council recommended redistributing 8 mt of
darkblotched rockfish, from the ``off-the-top'' deductions that were
made at the start of the 2015-2016 biennium, to the MS and C/P sectors,
with no more than 5 mt to either sector, to accommodate potential
bycatch of darkblotched rockfish as each sector prosecutes the
remainder of their 2015 Pacific whiting allocations.
The Council's recommendation at the September meeting asked NMFS to
monitor ongoing MS and C/P fisheries and redistribute darkblotched
rockfish based on needs of the at-sea whiting fisheries in an effort
prevent closure of those fisheries prior to achieving their respective
Pacific whiting allocations. Therefore, this inseason action
incorporates updated information on ongoing MS and C/P sector fisheries
and on the best available information on how much darkblotched rockfish
is anticipated to go unharvested from the off-the-top deductions.
According to the best information available on September 29, 2015,
observed darkblotched rockfish bycatch rates in the pink shrimp fishery
in 2015 were much lower than in 2014, and similar to levels seen in
2011-2013. NMFS projects that the incidental open access fisheries,
including the pink shrimp trawl fishery, will harvest 5.7 mt through
the end of the year out of the 18.4 mt that was anticipated when the
off-the-top deductions were made.
The off-the-top deduction is a sum of anticipated impacts from
scientific
[[Page 67666]]
research activities, EFPs, Tribal fisheries, and incidental open access
fisheries. Fish moved from the off-the-top deduction from the ACL and
redistributed to other groundfish fisheries must be fish that would
otherwise go unharvested through the end of the year. It was not
quantitatively demonstrated that the 8 mt of darkblotched rockfish that
the Council recommended redistributing to the MS and C/P sectors would
otherwise go unharvested. Therefore, NMFS considered the higher than
anticipated scientific research catch of darkblotched rockfish along
with the lower than anticipated catch of darkblotched rockfish in the
incidental open access fisheries in its decision making. When combined
with the projected impacts from other components of the off-the-top
deductions, including scientific research, EFPs, and tribal fisheries,
it is anticipated that approximately 7.4 mt of the 20.8 mt off-the-top
deduction will go unharvested through the end of 2015 (13.4 mt
harvested out of 20.8 mt). Given this best available information,
released after the Council's recommendation was made, NMFS has
determined that the full 8 mt that was recommended by the Council
cannot be redistributed.
Shortly after the conclusion of the September Council meeting, a
bycatch event of darkblotched rockfish occurred in the C/P sectors,
increasing the likelihood of early closure of that C/P sector if
additional darkblotched rockfish were unavailable. Based on this
information, there is need for additional darkblotched rockfish in both
the MS and C/P sectors.
Based on the information presented at the September meeting, the
Council's recommendation, the best available information on the
available amount darkblotched rockfish, and the best available
information on bycatch rates in the MS and C/P fisheries, this rule
redistributes 7 mt of darkblotched rockfish that is anticipated to go
unharvested in the incidental open access fisheries through the end of
2015 to the MS and C/P sectors in equal amounts, 3.5 mt to each sector.
To buffer against uncertainty in the estimates, 0.4 mt of darkblotched
rockfish will remain in the ``off-the-top'' deductions. 7 mt of
darkblotched rockfish will be distributed equally between the MS and C/
P sectors because both fisheries show higher than anticipated bycatch
rates this year. If those higher rates continue and no additional
darkblotched rockfish is distributed, both sectors are projected to
attain their current darkblotched rockfish set-asides of 9.2 mt and 6.5
mt, respectively, before their Pacific whiting allocations are fully
harvested.
This rule partially approves the Council's recommendation to
provide additional darkblotched that would otherwise go unharvested in
2015. Increasing the darkblotched rockfish set-asides to 10 mt for the
MS sector and 12.7 mt for the C/P sector reduces the risk of closure of
the MS and C/P sectors prior to full attainment of the Pacific whiting
allocation if higher than anticipated bycatch rates of darkblotched
rockfish continue late in 2015. Mortality of darkblotched rockfish in
the 2015 incidental open access fishery has been lower than anticipated
and the projected mortality indicates it will be within the remaining
off-the-top deduction after transferring the 7 mt to the MS and C/P
sectors. Transfer of darkblotched rockfish to the MS and C/P sectors,
when combined with projected impacts from all other sources, is not
expected to result in greater impacts to darkblotched rockfish or other
overfished species than originally projected through the end of the
year.
Classification
This final rule makes routine inseason adjustments to groundfish
fishery management measures, based on the best available information,
consistent with the PCGFMP and its implementing regulations and the
Halibut Act and its implementing regulations.
This action is taken under the authority of 50 CFR 660.60(c) and is
exempt from review under Executive Order 12866.
The aggregate data upon which these actions are based are available
for public inspection at the Office of the Administrator, West Coast
Region, NMFS, during business hours.
NMFS finds good cause to waive prior public notice and comment on
the revisions to groundfish management measures under 5 U.S.C. 553(b)
because notice and comment would be impracticable and contrary to the
public interest. Also, for the same reasons, NMFS finds good cause to
waive the 30-day delay in effectiveness pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3),
so that this final rule may become effective October 29, 2015.
At the September 2015 Council meeting, the Council recommended that
redistribution of darkblotched rockfish to the MS and C/P sectors be
implemented as quickly as possible once a need for additional
darkblotched rockfish was identified. Within two weeks of this
recommendation, a bycatch event of darkblotched rockfish (4 mt)
occurred in the C/P sectors. There was not sufficient time after the
September 2015 Council meeting to undergo proposed and final rulemaking
before this action needs to be in effect. For the actions implemented
in this final rule, affording the time necessary for prior notice and
opportunity for public comment would prevent transfer of darkblotched
rockfish to the MS and C/P sectors until later in the season, or
potentially eliminate the possibility or doing so during the 2015
calendar year entirely, and is therefore impractical. Failing to
reapportion darkblotched rockfish to the MS and C/P sectors in a timely
manner could result in unnecessary restriction of fisheries if the MS
or C/P sectors exceeded their darkblotched allocations. Providing the
MS and C/P sector fishermen an opportunity to harvest their limits of
Pacific whiting without interruption and without exceeding their
darkblotched rockfish bycatch limits allows harvest as intended by the
Council, consistent with the best scientific information available. The
Pacific whiting fishery contributes a large amount of revenue to the
coastal communities of Washington and Oregon and this change allows
continued harvest of Pacific whiting while continuing to prevent ACLs
of overfished species and the allocations for target species from being
exceeded. No aspect of this action is controversial, and changes of
this nature were anticipated in the biennial harvest specifications and
management measures established for 2015-2016.
Delaying these changes would also keep management measures in place
that are not based on the best available information. Such delay would
impair achievement of the PCGFMP goals and objectives of managing for
appropriate harvest levels while providing for year-round fishing and
marketing opportunities.
Accordingly, for the reasons stated above, NMFS finds good cause to
waive prior notice and comment and to waive the delay in effectiveness.
List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 660
Fisheries, Fishing, and Indian Fisheries.
Dated: October 29, 2015.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
For the reasons set out in the preamble, 50 CFR part 660 is amended
as follows:
PART 660-FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES
0
1. The authority citation for part 660 continues to read as follows:
[[Page 67667]]
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq., 16 U.S.C. 773 et seq., and 16
U.S.C. 7001 et seq.
0
2. Tables 1a and 1b to Part 660, Subpart C, are revised to read as
follows:
Table 1a to Part 660, Subpart C--2015, Specifications of OFL, ABC, ACL, ACT and Fishery Harvest Guidelines
[Weights in metric tons]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OFL ABC AC La Fishery HG b
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BOCACCIO S. of 40[deg]10' N. lat c. 1,444 1,380 349 341
CANARY ROCKFISH d.................. 733 701 122 107
COWCOD S. of 40[deg]10' N. lat e... 67 60 10 8
DARKBLOTCHED ROCKFISH f............ 574 549 338 317
PACIFIC OCEAN PERCH g.............. 842 805 158 143
PETRALE SOLE h..................... 2,946 2,816 2,816 2,579
YELLOWEYE ROCKFISH \i\............. 52 43 18 12
Arrowtooth flounder j.............. 6,599 5,497 5,497 3,410
Black rockfish (OR-CA) k........... 1,176 1,124 1,000 999
Black rockfish (WA) l.............. 421 402 402 388
Cabezon (CA) m..................... 161 154 154 154
Cabezon (OR) n..................... 49 47 47 47
California scorpionfish o.......... 119 114 114 112
Chilipepper S. of 40[deg]10' N. lat 1,703 1,628 1,628 1,604
p.
Dover sole q....................... 66,871 63,929 50,000 48,406
English sole r..................... 10,792 9,853 9,853 9,640
Lingcod N. of 40[deg]10' N. lat s.. 3,010 2,830 2,830 2,552
Lingcod S. of 40[deg]10' N. lat t.. 1,205 1,004 1,004 995
Longnose skate u................... 2,449 2,341 2,000 1,927
Longspine thornyhead (coastwide) v. 5,007 4,171 NA NA.
Longspine thornyhead No. of NA NA 3,170 3,124
34[deg]27' N. lat.
Longspine thornyhead S. of NA NA 1,001 998
34[deg]27' N. lat.
Pacific Cod w...................... 3,200 2,221 1,600 1,091
Pacific whiting x.................. 804,576 x x 266,684
Sablefish (coastwide).............. 7,857 7,173 NA NA.
Sablefish N. of 36[deg] N. lat y... NA NA 4,793 See Table 1c.
Sablefish S. of 36[deg] N. lat z... NA NA 1,719 1,714
Shortbelly aa...................... 6,950 5,789 500 498
Shortspine thornyhead (coastwide) 3,203 2,668 NA NA.
bb.
Shortspine thornyhead N. of NA NA 1,745 1,686
34[deg]27' N. lat.
Shortspine thornyhead S. of NA NA 923 881
34[deg]27' N. lat.
Spiny dogfish cc................... 2,523 2,101 2,101 1,763
Splitnose S. of 40[deg]10' N. lat 1,794 1,715 1,715 1,705
dd.
Starry flounder ee................. 1,841 1,534 1,534 1,524
Widow rockfish ff.................. 4,137 3,929 2,000 1,880
Yellowtail N. of 40[deg]10' N. lat 7,218 6,590 6,590 5,560
gg.
Minor Nearshore Rockfish N. of 88 77 69 69
40[deg]10' N. lat hh.
Minor Shelf Rockfish N. of 2,209 1,944 1,944 1,872
40[deg]10' N. lat ii.
Minor Slope Rockfish N. of 1,831 1,693 1,693 1,629
40[deg]10' N. lat jj.
Minor Nearshore Rockfish S. of 1,313 1,169 1,114 1,110
40[deg]10' N. lat kk.
Minor Shelf Rockfish S. of 1,918 1,625 1,624 1,575
40[deg]10' N. lat ll.
Minor Slope Rockfish S. of 813 705 693 673
40[deg]10' N. lat mm.
Other Flatfish nn.................. 11,453 8,749 8,749 8,545
Other Fish oo...................... 291 242 242 242
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\a\ Annual catch limits (ACLs), annual catch targets (ACTs) and harvest guidelines (HGs) are specified as total
catch values.
\b\ Fishery harvest guidelines means the harvest guideline or quota after subtracting Pacific Coast treaty
Indian tribes allocations and projected catch, projected research catch, deductions for fishing mortality in
non-groundfish fisheries, and deductions for EFPs from the ACL or ACT.
\c\ Bocaccio. A bocaccio stock assessment update was conducted in 2013 for the bocaccio stock between the U.S.-
Mexico border and Cape Blanco. The stock is managed with stock-specific harvest specifications south of
40[deg]10' N. lat. and within the Minor Shelf Rockfish complex north of 40[deg]10' N. lat. A historical catch
distribution of approximately 6 percent was used to apportion the assessed stock to the area north of
40[deg]10' N. lat. The bocaccio stock was estimated to be at 31.4 percent of its unfished biomass in 2013. The
OFL of 1,444 mt is projected in the 2013 stock assessment using an FMSY proxy of F50%. The ABC of 1,380 mt is
a 4.4 percent reduction from the OFL ([sigma]=0.36/P*=0.45) as it's a category 1 stock. The 349 mt ACL is
based on the current rebuilding plan with a target year to rebuild of 2022 and an SPR harvest rate of 77.7
percent. 8.3 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the incidental open access fishery (0.7 mt), EFP catch
(3.0 mt) and research catch (4.6 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 340.7 mt. The California recreational
fishery has an HG of 178.8 mt.
\d\ Canary rockfish. A canary rockfish stock assessment update was conducted in 2011 and the stock was estimated
to be at 23.2 percent of its unfished biomass coastwide in 2011. The coastwide OFL of 733 mt is projected in
the 2011 rebuilding analysis using an FMSY proxy of F50%. The ABC of 701 mt is a 4.4 percent reduction from
the OFL ([sigma]=0.36/P*=0.45) as it's a category 1 stock. The ACL of 122 mt is based on the current
rebuilding plan with a target year to rebuild of 2030 and an SPR harvest rate of 88.7 percent. 15.2 mt is
deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (7.7 mt), the incidental open access fishery (2 mt),
EFP catch (1.0 mt) and research catch (4.5 mt) resulting in a fishery HG of 106.8 mt. Recreational HGs are:
3.4 mt (Washington); 11.7 mt (Oregon); and 24.3 mt (California).
[[Page 67668]]
\e\ Cowcod. A stock assessment for the Conception Area was conducted in 2013 and the stock was estimated to be
at 33.9 percent of its unfished biomass in 2013. The Conception Area OFL of 55.0 mt is projected in the 2013
rebuilding analysis using an FMSY proxy of F50%. The OFL contribution of 11.6 mt for the unassessed portion of
the stock in the Monterey area is based on depletion-based stock reduction analysis. The OFLs for the Monterey
and Conception areas were summed to derive the south of 40[deg]10' N. lat. OFL of 66.6 mt. The ABC for the
area south of 40[deg]10' N. lat. is 59.9 mt. The assessed portion of the stock in the Conception Area is
considered category 2, with a Conception area contribution to the ABC of 50.2 mt, which is an 8.7 percent
reduction from the Conception area OFL ([sigma]=0.72/P*=0.45). The unassessed portion of the stock in the
Monterey area is considered a category 3 stock, with a contribution to the ABC of 9.7 mt, which is a 16.6
percent reduction from the Monterey area OFL ([sigma]=1.44/P*=0.45). A single ACL of 10.0 mt is being set for
both areas combined. The ACL of 10.0 mt is based on the rebuilding plan with a target year to rebuild of 2020
and an SPR harvest rate of 82.7 percent, which is equivalent to an exploitation rate (catch over age 11+
biomass) of 0.007. 2.0 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate EFP fishing (less than 0.02 mt) and research
activity (2.0 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 8.0 mt. Any additional mortality in research activities will
be deducted from the ACL. A single ACT of 4.0 mt is being set for both areas combined.
\f\ Darkblotched rockfish. A 2013 stock assessment estimated the stock to be at 36 percent of its unfished
biomass in 2013. The OFL of 574 mt is projected in the 2013 stock assessment using an FMSY proxy of F50%. The
ABC of 549 mt is a 4.4 percent reduction from the OFL ([sigma]=0.36/P*=0.45) as it's a category 1 stock. The
ACL of 338 mt is based on the current rebuilding plan with a target year to rebuild of 2025 and an SPR harvest
rate of 64.9 percent. 20.8 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (0.2 mt), the
incidental open access fishery (18.4 mt), EFP catch (0.1 mt) and research catch (2.1 mt), resulting in a
fishery HG of 317.2 mt. Of the 18.4 mt initially deducted from the ACL to account for mortality in the
incidental open access fishery, a total of 7.0 mt is distributed to the mothership and catcher/processor
sectors, 3.5 mt to each sector consistent with 660.60(c)(3)(ii), resulting in a 13.8 mt deduction from the
ACL.
\g\ Pacific Ocean Perch. A POP stock assessment was conducted in 2011 and the stock was estimated to be at 19.1
percent of its unfished biomass in 2011. The OFL of 842 mt for the area north of 40[deg]10' N. lat. is
projected in the 2011 rebuilding analysis using an F50% FMSY proxy. The ABC of 805 mt is a 4.4 percent
reduction from the OFL ([sigma]=0.36/P*=0.45) as it's a category 1 stock. The ACL of 158 mt is based on the
current rebuilding plan with a target year to rebuild of 2051 and an SPR harvest rate of 86.4 percent. 15 mt
is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (9.2 mt), the incidental open access fishery (0.6
mt), and research catch (5.2 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 143.0 mt.
\h\ Petrale sole. A 2013 stock assessment estimated the stock to be at 22.3 percent of its unfished biomass in
2013. The OFL of 2,946 mt is projected in the 2013 assessment using an F30% FMSY proxy. The ABC of 2,816 mt is
a 4.4 percent reduction from the OFL ([sigma]=0.36/P*=0.45) as it's a category 1 stock. The ACL is based on
the 25-5 harvest control rule specified in the current rebuilding plan; since the stock is projected to be
rebuilt at the start of 2014, the ACL is set equal to the ABC. 236.6 mt is deducted from the ACL to
accommodate the Tribal fishery (220 mt), the incidental open access fishery (2.4 mt), and research catch (14.2
mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 2,579.4 mt.
\i\ Yelloweye rockfish. A stock assessment update was conducted in 2011. The stock was estimated to be at 21.4
percent of its unfished biomass in 2011. The 52 mt coastwide OFL was projected in the 2011 rebuilding analysis
using an FMSY proxy of F50%. The ABC of 43 mt is a 16.7 percent reduction from the OFL ([sigma]=0.72/P*=0.40)
as it's a category 2 stock. The 18 mt ACL is based on the current rebuilding plan with a target year to
rebuild of 2074 and an SPR harvest rate of 76.0 percent. 5.8 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the
Tribal fishery (2.3 mt), the incidental open access fishery (0.2 mt), EFP catch (0.03 mt) and research catch
(3.3 mt) resulting in a fishery HG of 12.2 mt. Recreational HGs are: 2.9 mt (Washington); 2.6 mt (Oregon); and
3.4 mt (California).
\j\ Arrowtooth flounder. The arrowtooth flounder stock was last assessed in 2007 and was estimated to be at 79
percent of its unfished biomass in 2007. The OFL of 6,599 mt is derived from the 2007 assessment using an F30%
FMSY proxy. The ABC of 5,497 mt is a 16.7 percent reduction from the OFL ([sigma]=0.72/P*=0.40) as it's a
category 2 stock. The ACL is set equal to the ABC because the stock is above its target biomass of B25%. 2,087
mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (2,041 mt), the incidental open access fishery
(30 mt), and research catch (16.4 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 3,410 mt.
\k\ Black rockfish south (Oregon and California). A stock assessment was conducted for black rockfish south of
45[deg]46' N. lat. (Cape Falcon, Oregon) to Central California (i.e., the southern-most extent of black
rockfish, Love et al. 2002) in 2007. The biomass in the south was estimated to be at 70 percent of its
unfished biomass in 2007. The OFL from the assessed area is derived from the 2007 assessment using an FMSY
harvest rate proxy of F50% plus 3 percent of the OFL from the stock assessment conducted for black rockfish
north of 45[deg]46' N. lat., to cover the portion of the stock occurring off Oregon north of Cape Falcon (the
3% adjustment is based on historical catch distribution). The resulting OFL for the area south of 46[deg]16'
N. lat. is 1,176 mt. The ABC of 1,124 mt is a 4.4 percent reduction from the OFL ([sigma]=0.36/P*=0.45) as
it's a category 1 stock. The 2015 ACL is 1,000 mt, which maintains the constant catch strategy designed to
keep the stock above its target biomass of B40%. 1 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate EFP catch,
resulting in a fishery HG of 999 mt. The black rockfish ACL, in the area south of 46[deg]16' N. lat. (Columbia
River), is subdivided with separate HGs for waters off Oregon (579 mt/58 percent) and for waters off
California (420 mt/42 percent).
\l\ Black rockfish north (Washington). A stock assessment was conducted for black rockfish north of 45[deg]46'
N. lat. (Cape Falcon, Oregon) in 2007. The biomass in the north was estimated to be at 53 percent of its
unfished biomass in 2007. The OFL from the assessed area is derived from the 2007 assessment using an FMSY
harvest rate proxy of F50%. The resulting OFL for the area north of 46[deg]16' N. lat. is 421 mt and is 97
percent of the OFL from the assessed area based on the area distribution of historical catch. The ABC of 402
mt for the north is a 4.4 percent reduction from the OFL ([sigma]=0.36/P*=0.45) as it's a category 1 stock.
The ACL is set equal to the ABC since the stock is above its target biomass of B40%. 14 mt is deducted from
the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery, resulting in a fishery HG of 388 mt.
\m\ Cabezon (California). A cabezon stock assessment was conducted in 2009. The cabezon spawning biomass in
waters off California was estimated to be at 48.3 percent of its unfished biomass in 2009. The OFL of 161 mt
is calculated using an FMSY proxy of F45%. The ABC of 154 mt is based on a 4.4 percent reduction from the OFL
([sigma]=0.36/P*=0.45) as it's a category 1 stock. The ACL is set equal to the ABC because the stock is above
its target biomass of B40%. There are no deductions from the ACL so the fishery HG is equal to the ACL of 154
mt.
\n\ Cabezon (Oregon). A cabezon stock assessment was conducted in 2009. The cabezon spawning biomass in waters
off Oregon was estimated to be at 52 percent of its unfished biomass in 2009. The OFL of 49 mt is calculated
using an FMSY proxy of F45%. The ABC of 47 mt is based on a 4.4 percent reduction from the OFL ([sigma]=0.36/
P*=0.45) as it's a category 1 species. The ACL is set equal to the ABC because the stock is above its target
biomass of B40%. There are no deductions from the ACL so the fishery HG is also equal to the ACL of 47 mt.
\o\ California scorpionfish was assessed in 2005 and was estimated to be at 79.8 percent of its unfished biomass
in 2005. The OFL of 119 mt is projected in the 2005 assessment using an FMSY harvest rate proxy of F50%. The
ABC of 114 mt is a 4.4 percent reduction from the OFL ([sigma]=0.36/P*=0.45) as it's a category 1 stock. The
ACL is set equal to the ABC because the stock is above its target biomass of B40%. 2 mt is deducted from the
ACL to accommodate the incidental open access fishery, resulting in a fishery HG of 112 mt.
\p\ Chilipepper. The coastwide chilipepper stock was assessed in 2007 and estimated to be at 70 percent of its
unfished biomass in 2006. Chilipepper are managed with stock-specific harvest specifications south of
40[deg]10 N. lat. and within the Minor Shelf Rockfish complex north of 40[deg]10' N. lat. Projected OFLs are
stratified north and south of 40[deg]10' N. lat. based on the average 1998-2008 assessed area catch, which is
93 percent for the area south of 40[deg]10' N. lat. and 7 percent for the area north of 40[deg]10' N. lat. The
OFL of 1,703 mt for the area south of 40[deg]10' N. lat. is projected in the 2007 assessment using an FMSY
proxy of F50%. The ABC of 1,628 mt is a 4.4 percent reduction from the OFL ([sigma]=0.36/P*=0.45) as it's a
category 1 stock. The ACL is set equal to the ABC because the stock is above its target biomass of B40%. 24 mt
is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the incidental open access fishery (5 mt), EFP fishing (10 mt), and
research catch (9 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 1,604 mt.
\q\ Dover sole. A 2011 Dover sole assessment estimated the stock to be at 83.7 percent of its unfished biomass
in 2011. The OFL of 66,871 mt is projected in the 2011 stock assessment using an FMSY proxy of F30%. The ABC
of 63,929 mt is a 4.4 percent reduction from the OFL ([sigma]=0.36/P*=0.45) as it's a category 1 stock. The
ACL could be set equal to the ABC because the stock is above its target biomass of B25%. However, the ACL of
50,000 mt is set at a level below the ABC and higher than the maximum historical landed catch. 1,594 mt is
deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (1,497 mt), the incidental open access fishery (55
mt), and research catch (41.9 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 48,406 mt.
[[Page 67669]]
\r\ English sole. A 2013 stock assessment was conducted, which estimated the stock to be at 88 percent of its
unfished biomass in 2013. The OFL of 10,792 mt is projected in the 2013 assessment using an FMSY proxy of
F30%. The ABC of 9,853 mt is an 8.7 percent reduction from the OFL ([sigma]=0.72/P*=0.45) as it is a category
2 stock. The ACL is set equal to the ABC because the stock is above its target biomass of B25%. 213 mt is
deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (200 mt), the incidental open access fishery (7 mt)
and research catch (5.8 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 9,640 mt.
\s\ Lingcod north. A lingcod stock assessment was conducted in 2009. The lingcod spawning biomass off Washington
and Oregon was estimated to be at 62 percent of its unfished biomass in 2009. The OFL for Washington and
Oregon of 1,898 mt is calculated using an FMSY proxy of F45%. The OFL is re-apportioned by adding 48% of the
OFL from California, resulting in an OFL of 3,010 mt for the area north of 40[deg]10' N. lat. The ABC of 2,830
mt is based on a 4.4 percent reduction from the OFL ([sigma]=0.36/P*=0.45) for the area north of 42[deg] N.
lat. as it's a category 1 stock, and an 8.7 percent reduction from the OFL ([sigma]=0.72/P*=0.45) for the area
between 42[deg] N. lat. and 40[deg]10' N. lat. as it's a category 2 stock. The ACL is set equal to the ABC.
278 mt is deducted from the ACL for the Tribal fishery (250 mt), the incidental open access fishery (16 mt),
EFP catch (0.5 mt) and research catch (11.7 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 2,552 mt.
\t\ Lingcod south. A lingcod stock assessment was conducted in 2009. The lingcod spawning biomass off California
was estimated to be at 74 percent of its unfished biomass in 2009. The OFL for California of 2,317 mt is
projected in the assessment using an FMSY proxy of F45%. The OFL is re-apportioned by subtracting 48% of the
OFL, resulting in an OFL of 1,205 mt for the area south of 40[deg]10' N. lat. The ABC of 1,004 mt is based on
a 16.7 percent reduction from the OFL ([sigma]=0.72/P*=0.40) as it's a category 2 stock. The ACL is set equal
to the ABC since the stock is above its target biomass of B40%. 9 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate
the incidental open access fishery (7 mt), EFP fishing (1 mt), and research catch (1.1 mt), resulting in a
fishery HG of 995 mt.
\u\ Longnose skate. A stock assessment was conducted in 2007 and the stock was estimated to be at 66 percent of
its unfished biomass. The OFL of 2,449 mt is derived from the 2007 stock assessment using an FMSY proxy of
F50%. The ABC of 2,341 mt is a 4.4 percent reduction from the OFL ([sigma]=0.36/P*=0.45) as it's a category 1
stock. The ACL of 2,000 mt is a fixed harvest level that provides greater access to the stock and is less than
the ABC. 73 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (56 mt), incidental open access
fishery (3.8 mt), and research catch (13.2 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 1,927 mt.
\v\ Longspine thornyhead. A 2013 longspine thornyhead coastwide stock assessment estimated the stock to be at 75
percent of its unfished biomass in 2013. A coastwide OFL of 5,007 mt is projected in the 2013 stock assessment
using an F50% FMSY proxy. The ABC of 4,171 mt is a 16.7 percent reduction from the OFL ([sigma]=0.72/P*=0.40)
as it's a category 2 stock. For the portion of the stock that is north of 34[deg]27' N. lat., the ACL is 3,170
mt, and is 76 percent of the coastwide ABC based on the average swept-area biomass estimates (2003-2012) from
the NMFS NWFSC trawl survey. 47 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (30 mt), the
incidental open access fishery (3 mt), and research catch (13.5 mt) resulting in a fishery HG of 3,124 mt. For
that portion of the stock south of 34[deg]27' N. lat. the ACL is 1,001 mt and is 24 percent of the coastwide
ABC based on the average swept-area biomass estimates (2003-2012) from the NMFS NWFSC trawl survey. 3 mt is
deducted from the ACL to accommodate the incidental open access fishery (2 mt), and research catch (1 mt)
resulting in a fishery HG of 998 mt.
\w\ Pacific cod. The 3,200 mt OFL is based on the maximum level of historic landings. The ABC of 2,221 mt is a
30.6 percent reduction from the OFL ([sigma]=1.44/P*=0.40) as it's a category 3 stock. The 1,600 mt ACL is the
OFL reduced by 50 percent as a precautionary adjustment. 509 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the
Tribal fishery (500 mt), research catch (7 mt), and the incidental open access fishery (2.0 mt), resulting in
a fishery HG of 1,091 mt.
\x\ Pacific whiting. The coastwide stock assessment was conducted in 2015 and estimated the stock to be at 74
percent of its unfished biomass. The 2015 OFL of 804,576 mt is based on the 2015 assessment with an F40% FMSY
proxy. The 2015 coastwide, unadjusted Total Allowable Catch (TAC) of 383,365 mt is based on the 2015 stock
assessment. Consistent with the provisions of the Pacific Hake/Whiting Agreement, up to 15 percent of each
party's unadjusted 2014 TAC (41,842 mt for the U.S. and 14,793 mt for Canada) is added to the 2015 unadjusted
TAC, resulting in an adjusted coastwide 2015 TAC of 440,000 mt. The U.S. TAC is 73.88 percent of the coastwide
TAC. The U.S. adjusted 2015 TAC is 325,072 mt. From the adjusted U.S. TAC, 56,888 mt is deducted to
accommodate the Tribal fishery, and 1,500 mt is deducted to accommodate research and bycatch in other
fisheries, resulting in a fishery HG of 266,684 mt. The TAC for Pacific whiting is established under the
provisions of the Pacific Hake/Whiting Agreement with Canada and the Pacific Whiting Act of 2006, 16 U.S.C.
7001-2010, and the international exception applies. Therefore, no ABC or ACL values are provided for Pacific
whiting.
\y\ Sablefish north. A coastwide sablefish stock assessment was conducted in 2011. The coastwide sablefish
biomass was estimated to be at 33 percent of its unfished biomass in 2011. The coastwide OFL of 7,857 mt is
projected in the 2011 stock assessment using an FMSY proxy of F45%. The ABC of 7,173 mt is an 8.7 percent
reduction from the OFL ([sigma]=0.36/P*=0.40). The 40-10 adjustment is applied to the ABC to derive a
coastwide ACL value because the stock is in the precautionary zone. This coastwide ACL value is not specified
in regulations. The coastwide ACL value is apportioned north and south of 36[deg] N. lat., using the 2003-2010
average estimated swept area biomass from the NMFS NWFSC trawl survey, with 73.6 percent apportioned north of
36[deg] N. lat. and 26.4 percent apportioned south of 36[deg] N. lat. The northern ACL is 4,793 mt and is
reduced by 479 mt for the tribal allocation (10 percent of the ACL north of 36[deg] N. lat.). The 479 mt
Tribal allocation is reduced by 1.6 percent to account for discard mortality. Detailed sablefish allocations
are shown in Table 1c.
\z\ Sablefish south. The ACL for the area south of 36[deg] N. lat. is 1,719 mt (26.4 percent of the calculated
coastwide ACL value). 5 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the incidental open access fishery (2 mt)
and research catch (3 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 1,714 mt.
\aa\ Shortbelly rockfish. A non-quantitative shortbelly rockfish assessment was conducted in 2007. The spawning
stock biomass of shortbelly rockfish was estimated to be 67 percent of its unfished biomass in 2005. The OFL
of 6,950 mt is based on the estimated MSY in the 2007 stock assessment. The ABC of 5,789 mt is a 16.7 percent
reduction of the OFL ([sigma]=0.72/P*=0.40) as it's a category 2 stock. The 500 mt ACL is set to accommodate
incidental catch when fishing for co-occurring healthy stocks and in recognition of the stock's importance as
a forage species in the California Current ecosystem. 2 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate research
catch, resulting in a fishery HG of 498 mt.
\bb\ Shortspine thornyhead. A 2013 coastwide shortspine thornyhead stock assessment estimated the stock to be at
74.2 percent of its unfished biomass in 2013. A coastwide OFL of 3,203 mt is projected in the 2013 stock
assessment using an F50% FMSY proxy. The coastwide ABC of 2,668 mt is a 16.7 percent reduction from the OFL
([sigma]=0.72/P*=0.40) as it's a category 2 stock. For the portion of the stock that is north of 34[deg]27' N.
lat., the ACL is 1,745 mt. The northern ACL is 65.4 percent of the coastwide ABC based on the average swept-
area biomass estimates (2003-2012) from the NMFS NWFSC trawl survey. 59 mt is deducted from the ACL to
accommodate the Tribal fishery (50 mt), the incidental open access fishery (2 mt), and research catch (7 mt)
resulting in a fishery HG of 1,686 mt for the area north of 34[deg]27' N. lat. For that portion of the stock
south of 34[deg]27' N. lat. the ACL is 923 mt. The southern ACL is 35.6 percent of the coastwide ABC based on
the average swept-area biomass estimates (2003-2012) from the NMFS NWFSC trawl survey. 42 mt is deducted from
the ACL to accommodate the incidental open access fishery (41 mt) and research catch (1 mt), resulting in a
fishery HG of 881 mt for the area south of 34[deg]27' N. lat.
\cc\ Spiny dogfish. A coastwide spiny dogfish stock assessment was conducted in 2011. The coastwide spiny
dogfish biomass was estimated to be at 63 percent of its unfished biomass in 2011. The coastwide OFL of 2,523
mt is derived from the 2011 assessment using an FMSY proxy of F50%. The coastwide ABC of 2,101 mt is a 16.7
percent reduction from the OFL ([sigma]=0.72/P*=0.40) as it's a category 2 stock. The ACL is set equal to the
ABC because the stock is above its target biomass of B40%. 338 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the
Tribal fishery (275 mt), the incidental open access fishery (49.5 mt), EFP catch (1 mt), and research catch
(12.5 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 1,763 mt.
\dd\ Splitnose rockfish. A splitnose rockfish coastwide assessment was conducted in 2009 that estimated the
stock to be at 66 percent of its unfished biomass in 2009. Splitnose rockfish in the north is managed in the
Minor Slope Rockfish complex and with species-specific harvest specifications south of 40[deg]10' N. lat. The
coastwide OFL is projected in the 2009 assessment using an FMSY proxy of F50%. The coastwide OFL is
apportioned north and south of 40[deg]10' N. lat. based on the average 1916-2008 assessed area catch resulting
in 64.2 percent of the coastwide OFL apportioned south of 40[deg]10' N. lat., and 35.8 percent apportioned for
the contribution of splitnose rockfish to the northern Minor Slope Rockfish complex. The southern OFL of 1,794
mt results from the apportionment described above. The southern ABC of 1,715 mt is a 4.4 percent reduction
from the southern OFL ([sigma]=0.36/P*=0.45) as it's a category 1 stock. The ACL is set equal to the ABC
because the stock is estimated to be above its target biomass of B40%. 10.5 mt is deducted from the ACL to
accommodate research catch (9 mt) and EFP catch (1.5 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 1,705 mt.
[[Page 67670]]
\ee\ Starry Flounder. The stock was assessed in 2005 and was estimated to be above 40 percent of its unfished
biomass in 2005 (44 percent in Washington and Oregon, and 62 percent in California). The coastwide OFL of
1,841 mt is derived from the 2005 assessment using an FMSY proxy of F30%. The ABC of 1,534 mt is a 16.7
percent reduction from the OFL ([sigma]=0.72/P*=0.40) as it's a category 2 stock. The ACL is set equal to the
ABC because the stock is estimated to be above its target biomass of B25%. 10.3 mt is deducted from the ACL to
accommodate the Tribal fishery (2 mt), and the incidental open access fishery (8.3 mt), resulting in a fishery
HG of 1,524 mt.
\ff\ Widow rockfish. The widow rockfish stock was assessed in 2011 and was estimated to be at 51.1 percent of
its unfished biomass in 2011. The OFL of 4,137 mt is projected in the 2011 stock assessment using an F50% FMSY
proxy. The ABC of 3,929 mt is a 5 percent reduction from the OFL ([sigma]=0.41/P*=0.45). A unique sigma of
0.41 was calculated for widow rockfish since the variance in estimated biomass was greater than the 0.36 used
as a proxy for other category 1 stocks. The ACL could be set equal to the ABC because the stock is above its
target biomass of B40%. However, the ACL of 2,000 mt is less than the ABC due to high uncertainty in estimated
biomass, yet this level of allowable harvest will allow access to healthy co-occurring species, such as
yellowtail rockfish. 120.2 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (100 mt), the
incidental open access fishery (3.3 mt), EFP catch (9 mt), and research catch (7.9 mt), resulting in a fishery
HG of 1,880 mt.
\gg\ Yellowtail rockfish. A 2013 yellowtail rockfish stock assessment was conducted for the portion of the
population north of 40[deg]10' N. lat. The estimated stock depletion is 69 percent of its unfished biomass in
2013. The OFL of 7,218 mt is projected in the 2013 stock assessment using an FMSY proxy of F50%. The ABC of
6,590 mt is an 8.7 percent reduction from the OFL ([sigma]=0.72/P*=0.45) as it is a category 2 stock. The ACL
is set equal to the ABC because the stock is above its target biomass of B40%. 1,029.6 mt is deducted from the
ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (1,000 mt), the incidental open access fishery (3 mt), EFP catch (10
mt), and research catch (16.6 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 5,560 mt.
\hh\ Minor Nearshore Rockfish north. The OFL for Minor Nearshore Rockfish north of 40[deg]10' N. lat. of 88 mt
is the sum of the OFL contributions for the component species managed in the complex. The ABCs for the minor
rockfish complexes are based on a sigma value of 0.72 for category 2 stocks (i.e., blue rockfish in
California, brown rockfish, China rockfish, and copper rockfish) and a sigma value of 1.44 for category 3
stocks (all others) with a P* of 0.45. The resulting ABC of 77 mt is the summed contribution of the ABCs for
the component species. The ACL of 69 mt is the sum of contributing ABCs of healthy assessed stocks and
unassessed stocks plus the ACL contributions for blue rockfish in California and China rockfish where the 40-
10 adjustment was applied to the ABC contributions for these two stocks, because those stocks are in the
precautionary zone. No deductions are made to the ACL, thus the fishery HG is equal to the ACL, which is 69
mt. Between 40[deg]10' N. lat. and 42[deg] N. lat. the Minor Nearshore Rockfish complex north has a harvest
guideline of 23.7 mt. Blue rockfish south of 42[deg] N. lat. has a species-specific HG, described in footnote
kk/.
\ii\ Minor Shelf Rockfish north. The OFL for Minor Shelf Rockfish north of 40[deg]10' N. lat. of 2,209 mt is the
sum of the OFL contributions for the component species within the complex. The ABCs for the minor rockfish
complexes are based on a sigma value of 0.72 for category 2 stocks (i.e., greenspotted rockfish between
40[deg]10' and 42[deg] N. lat. and greenstriped rockfish) and a sigma value of 1.44 for category 3 stocks (all
others) with a P* of 0.45. The resulting ABC of 1,944 mt is the summed contribution of the ABCs for the
component species. The ACL of 1,944 mt is the sum of contributing ABCs of healthy assessed stocks and
unassessed stocks, plus the ACL contribution of greenspotted rockfish in California where the 40-10 adjustment
was applied to the ABC contribution because the stock is in the precautionary zone (the ACL is slightly less
than the ABC but rounds to the ABC value). 72 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery
(30 mt), the incidental open access fishery (26 mt), EFP catch (3 mt), and research catch (13.4 mt), resulting
in a fishery HG of 1,872 mt.
\jj\ Minor Slope Rockfish north. The OFL for Minor Slope Rockfish north of 40[deg]10' N. lat. of 1,831 mt is the
sum of the OFL contributions for the component species within the complex. The ABCs for the Minor Slope
Rockfish complexes are based on a sigma value of 0.39 for aurora rockfish, a sigma value of 0.36 for other
category 1 stocks (i.e., splitnose rockfish), a sigma value of 0.72 for category 2 stocks (i.e., rougheye
rockfish, blackspotted rockfish and sharpchin rockfish), and a sigma value of 1.44 for category 3 stocks (all
others) with a P* of 0.45. A unique sigma of 0.39 was calculated for aurora rockfish since the variance in
estimated spawning biomass was greater than the 0.36 used as a proxy for other category 1 stocks. The
resulting ABC of 1,693 mt is the summed contribution of the ABCs for the component species. The ACL is set
equal to the ABC because all the assessed component stocks are above the target biomass of B40%. 64 mt is
deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (36 mt), the incidental open access fishery (19 mt),
EFP catch (1 mt), and research catch (8.1 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 1,629 mt.
\kk\ Minor Nearshore Rockfish south. The OFL for the Minor Nearshore Rockfish complex south of 40[deg]10' N.
lat. of 1,313 mt is the sum of the OFL contributions for the component species within the complex. The ABC for
the southern Minor Nearshore Rockfish complex is based on a sigma value of 0.36 for category 1 stocks (i.e.,
gopher rockfish north of 34[deg]27' N. lat.), a sigma value of 0.72 for category 2 stocks (i.e., blue rockfish
north of 34[deg]27' N. lat., brown rockfish, China rockfish, and copper rockfish), and a sigma value of 1.44
for category 3 stocks (all others) with a P* of 0.45. The resulting ABC of 1,169 mt is the summed contribution
of the ABCs for the component species. The ACL of 1,114 mt is the sum of contributing ABCs of healthy assessed
stocks and unassessed stocks, plus the ACL contribution for blue rockfish north of 34[deg]27' N. lat. where
the 40-10 adjustment was applied to the ABC contribution for this stock because it is in the precautionary
zone. 4 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the incidental open access fishery (1.4 mt) and research
catch (2.6 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 1,110 mt. Blue rockfish south of 42[deg] N. lat. has a species-
specific HG set equal to the 40-10-adjusted ACL for the portion of the stock north of 34[deg]27' N lat. (133.6
mt) plus the ABC contribution for the unassessed portion of the stock south of 34[deg]27' N lat. (60.8 mt).
The California (i.e., south of 42[deg] N. lat.) blue rockfish HG is 194.4 mt.
\ll\ Minor Shelf Rockfish south. The OFL for the Minor Shelf Rockfish complex south of 40[deg]10' N. lat. of
1,918 mt is the sum of the OFL contributions for the component species within the complex. The ABCs for the
southern Minor Shelf Rockfish complex is based on a sigma value of 0.72 for category 2 stocks (i.e.,
greenspotted and greenstriped rockfish) and a sigma value of 1.44 for category 3 stocks (all others) with a P*
of 0.45. The resulting ABC of 1,625 mt is the summed contribution of the ABCs for the component species. The
ACL of 1,624 mt is the sum of contributing ABCs of healthy assessed stocks and unassessed stocks, plus the ACL
contribution of greenspotted rockfish in California where the 40-10 adjustment was applied to the ABC
contribution for this stock because it is in the precautionary zone. 49 mt is deducted from the ACL to
accommodate the incidental open access fishery (9 mt), EFP catch (30 mt), and research catch (9.6 mt),
resulting in a fishery HG of 1,575 mt.
\mm\ Minor Slope Rockfish south. The OFL for the Minor Slope Rockfish complex south of 40[deg]10' N. lat. of 813
mt is the sum of the OFL contributions for the component species within the complex. The ABC for the southern
Minor Slope Rockfish complex is based on a sigma value of 0.39 for aurora rockfish, a sigma value of 0.72 for
category 2 stocks (i.e., blackgill rockfish, rougheye rockfish, blackspotted rockfish, and sharpchin
rockfish), and a sigma value of 1.44 for category 3 stocks (all others) with a P* of 0.45. A unique sigma of
0.39 was calculated for aurora rockfish since the variance in estimated biomass was greater than the 0.36 used
as a proxy for other category 1 stocks. The resulting ABC of 705 mt is the summed contribution of the ABCs for
the component species. The ACL of 693 mt is the sum of contributing ABCs of healthy assessed stocks and
unassessed stocks, plus the ACL contribution of blackgill rockfish where the 40-10 adjustment was applied to
the ABC contribution for this stock because it is in the precautionary zone. 20 mt is deducted from the ACL to
accommodate the incidental open access fishery (17 mt), EFP catch (1 mt), and research catch (2 mt), resulting
in a fishery HG of 673 mt. Blackgill rockfish has a species-specific HG set equal to the species' contribution
to 40-10-adjusted ACL. The blackgill rockfish HG is 114 mt.
\nn\ Other Flatfish. The Other Flatfish complex is comprised of flatfish species managed in the PCGFMP that are
not managed with species-specific OFLs/ABCs/ACLs. Most of the species in the Other Flatfish complex are
unassessed and include butter sole, curlfin sole, flathead sole, Pacific sanddab (assessed in 2013 but the
assessment results were too uncertain to inform harvest specifications), rock sole, sand sole, and rex sole
(assessed in 2013). The Other Flatfish OFL of 11,453 mt is based on the sum of the OFL contributions of the
component stocks. The ABC of 8,749 mt is based on a sigma value of 0.72 for category 2 stocks (i.e., rex sole)
and a sigma value of 1.44 for category 3 stocks (all others) with a P* of 0.40. The ACL is set equal to the
ABC since all of the assessed stocks (i.e., Pacific sanddabs and rex sole) were above their target biomass of
B25%. 204 mt is deducted from the ACL to accommodate the Tribal fishery (60 mt), the incidental open access
fishery (125 mt), and research catch (19 mt), resulting in a fishery HG of 8,545 mt.
[[Page 67671]]
\oo\ Other Fish. The Other Fish complex is comprised of kelp greenling coastwide, cabezon off Washington, and
leopard shark coastwide. These species are unassessed. The OFL of 291 mt is the sum of the OFL contributions
for kelp greenling off California (the SSC has not approved methods for calculating the OFL contributions for
kelp greenling off Oregon and Washington), cabezon off Washington, and leopard shark coastwide. The ABC of 242
mt is the sum of ABC contributions for kelp greenling off California, cabezon off Washington and leopard shark
coastwide calculated by applying a P* of 0.45 and a sigma of 1.44 to the OFL contributions for those stocks.
The ACL is set equal to the ABC. There are no deductions from the ACL so the fishery HG is equal to the ACL of
242 mt.
Table 1b to Part 660, Subpart C--2015, Allocations by Species or Species Group
[Weight in metric tons]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trawl Non-trawl
Species Area Fishery HG or -----------------------------------------------------------------
ACT Percent Mt Percent Mt
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BOCACCIO \a\............................. S of 40[deg]10' N. lat..... 340.7 N/A 81.9 N/A 258.8
CANARY ROCKFISH a b...................... Coastwide.................. 106.8 N/A 56.9 N/A 49.9
COWCOD a c............................... S of 40[deg]10' N. lat..... 4 N/A 1.4 N/A 2.6
DARKBLOTCHED ROCKFISH \d\................ Coastwide.................. 317.2 95 301.3 5 15.9
PACIFIC OCEAN PERCH \e\.................. N of 40[deg]10' N. lat..... 143 95 135.9 5 7.2
PETRALE SOLE \a\......................... Coastwide.................. 2,579.40 N/A 2,544.4 N/A 35
YELLOWEYE ROCKFISH \a\................... Coastwide.................. 12.2 N/A 1 N/A 11.2
Arrowtooth flounder...................... Coastwide.................. 3,410 95 3,239 5 170
Chilipepper.............................. S of 40[deg]10' N. lat..... 1,604 75 1,203 25 401
Dover sole............................... Coastwide.................. 48,406 95 45,986 5 2,420
English sole............................. Coastwide.................. 9,640 95 9,158 5 482
Lingcod.................................. N of 40[deg]10' N. lat..... 2,552 45 1,148 55 1,404
Lingcod.................................. S. of 40[deg]10' N. lat.... 995 45 448 55 547
Longnose skate \a\....................... Coastwide.................. 1,927 90 1,734 10 193
Longspine thornyhead..................... N of 34[deg]27' N. lat..... 3,124 95 2,967 5 156
Pacific cod.............................. Coastwide.................. 1,091 95 1,036 5 55
Pacific whiting.......................... Coastside.................. 266,684 100 266,684 0 0
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Sablefish................................ N of 36[deg] N. lat........ 0 See Table 1c
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Sablefish................................ S of 36[deg] N. lat........ 1,714 42 720 58 994
Shortspine thornyhead.................... N of 34[deg]27' N. lat..... 1,686 95 1,601 5 84
Shortspine thornyhead.................... S of 34[deg]27' N. lat..... 881 N/A 50 N/A 831
Splitnose................................ S of 40[deg]10' N. lat..... 1,705 95 1,619 5 85
Starry flounder.......................... Coastwide.................. 1,524 50 762 50 762
Widow rockfish \f\....................... Coastwide.................. 1,880 91 1,711 9 169
Yellowtail rockfish...................... N of 40[deg]10' N. lat..... 5,560 88 4,893 12 667
Minor Shelf Rockfish complex \a\......... N of 40[deg]10' N. lat..... 1,872 60.20 1,127 39.8 745
Minor Shelf Rockfish complex \a\......... S of 40[deg]10' N. lat..... 1,575 12.20 192 87.8 1,383
Minor Slope Rockfish complex............. N of 40[deg]10' N. lat..... 1,629 81 1,319 19 309
Minor Slope Rockfish complex............. S of 40[deg]10' N. lat..... 673 63 424 37 249
Other Flatfish complex................... Coastwide.................. 8,545 90 7,691 10 855
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\a\ Allocations decided through the biennial specification process.
\b\ 13.7 mt of the total trawl allocation of canary rockfish is allocated to the at-sea whiting fisheries, as follows: 5.7 mt for the mothership
fishery, and 8.0 mt for the catcher/processor fishery.
\c\ The cowcod fishery harvest guideline is further reduced to an ACT of 4.0 mt.
\d\ Consistent with regulations at Sec. 660.55(c), 9 percent (27.1 mt) of the total trawl allocation for darkblotched rockfish is allocated to the
whiting fisheries, as follows: 11.4 mt for the shorebased IFQ fishery, 6.5 mt for the mothership fishery, and 9.2 mt for the catcher/processor
fishery. The amounts available to the mothership and catcher/processor fisheries were each raised by 3.5 mt, to 10 mt for the mothership fishery and
to 12.7 mt for the catcher/processor fishery, by distributing 7.0 mt of the 18.4 mt initially deducted from the ACL to account for mortality in the
incidental open access fishery, consistent with 660.60(c)(3)(ii). The tonnage calculated here for the whiting portion of the shorebased IFQ fishery
contributes to the total shorebased trawl allocation, which is found at 660.140(d)(1)(ii)(D).
\e\ Consistent with regulations at Sec. 660.55(c), 30 mt of the total trawl allocation for POP is allocated to the whiting fisheries, as follows: 12.6
mt for the shorebased IFQ fishery, 7.2 mt for the mothership fishery, and 10.2 mt for the catcher/processor fishery. The tonnage calculated here for
the whiting portion of the shorebased IFQ fishery contributes to the total shorebased trawl allocation, which is found at 660.140(d)(1)(ii)(D).
\f\ Consistent with regulations at Sec. 660.55(c), 500 mt of the total trawl allocation for widow rockfish is allocated to the whiting fisheries, as
follows: 210 mt for the shorebased IFQ fishery, 120 mt for the mothership fishery, and 170 mt for the catcher/processor fishery. The tonnage
calculated here for the whiting portion of the shorebased IFQ fishery contributes to the total shorebased trawl allocation, which is found at
660.140(d)(1)(ii)(D).
[FR Doc. 2015-27995 Filed 10-29-15; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P