cfr_sections
Data license: Public Domain (U.S. Government data) · Data source: Federal Register API & Regulations.gov API
133 rows where part_number = 660 and title_number = 50 sorted by section_id
This data as json, CSV (advanced)
Suggested facets: subpart, subpart_name
| section_id ▼ | title_number | title_name | chapter | subchapter | part_number | part_name | subpart | subpart_name | section_number | section_heading | agency | authority | source_citation | amendment_citations | full_text |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50:50:13.0.1.1.1.1.1.1 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 660 | PART 660—FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES | A | Subpart A—General | § 660.1 Purpose and scope. | FWS | [61 FR 34572, July 2, 1996, as amended at 67 FR 6201, Feb. 11, 2002; 69 FR 53362, Sept. 1, 2004; 71 FR 17989, Apr. 10, 2006; 81 FR 19057, Apr. 4, 2016] | (a) The regulations in this part govern fishing activity by vessels of the United States that fish or support fishing inside the outer boundary of the EEZ off the states of Washington, Oregon, and California. (b) General regulations governing fishing by all vessels of the United States and by fishing vessels other than vessels of the United States are contained in part 600 of this chapter. (c) Regulations governing the harvest, possession, landing, purchase, and sale of shark fins are found at part 600, subpart N, of this chapter. | ||||
| 50:50:13.0.1.1.1.1.1.2 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 660 | PART 660—FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES | A | Subpart A—General | § 660.2 Relation to other laws. | FWS | [72 FR 29235, May 24, 2007, as amended at 80 FR 62501, Oct. 16, 2015; 81 FR 51138, Aug. 3, 2016] | (a) NMFS recognizes that any state law pertaining to vessels registered under the laws of that state while operating in the fisheries regulated under this part, and that is consistent with this part and the FMPs implemented by this part, shall continue in effect with respect to fishing activities regulated under this part. (b) Fishing activities addressed by this Part may also be subject to regulation under 15 CFR part 922, subpart G, if conducted in the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary. (c) Fishing activities on the high seas are governed by regulations of the High Seas Fishing Compliance Act set forth in 50 CFR part 300, subparts A and R. | ||||
| 50:50:13.0.1.1.1.1.1.3 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 660 | PART 660—FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES | A | Subpart A—General | § 660.3 Reporting and recordkeeping. | FWS | [71 FR 17989, Apr. 10, 2006] | Any person who is required to do so by applicable state law or regulation must make and/or file all reports of management unit species landings containing all data and in the exact manner required by applicable state law or regulation. | ||||
| 50:50:13.0.1.1.1.1.1.4 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 660 | PART 660—FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES | A | Subpart A—General | § 660.4 Usual and accustomed fishing areas for Pacific Coast treaty Indian tribes. | FWS | [81 FR 36807, June 8, 2016, as amended at 83 FR 53828, Oct. 25, 2018; 89 FR 59678, July 23, 2024] | (a) The Pacific Coast treaty Indian tribes' usual and accustomed (U&A) fishing areas within the EEZ are set out below in paragraphs (a)(1) through (a)(4) of this section. Boundaries of a tribe's fishing area may be revised as ordered by a Federal court. (1) Makah. The area north of 48°02.25′ N. lat. (Norwegian Memorial) and east of 125°44′ W. long. (2) Quileute. The area commencing at Cape Alava, located at 48°10′00″ N lat., 124°43′56.9″ W long.; then proceeding west approximately forty nautical miles at that latitude to a northwestern point located at 48°10′00″ N lat., 125°44′00″ W long.; then proceeding in a southeasterly direction mirroring the coastline at a distance no farther than forty nautical miles from the mainland Pacific coast shoreline at any line of latitude, to a southwestern point at 47°31′42″ N lat., 125°20′26″ W long.; then proceeding east along that line of latitude to the Pacific coast shoreline at 47°31′42″ N lat., 124°21′9.0″ W long. (3) Hoh. A polygon commencing at the Pacific coast shoreline near the mouth of the Quillayute River, located at latitude 47°54′30″ north, longitude 124°38′31″ west; then proceeding west approximately forty nautical miles at that latitude to a northwestern point located at latitude 47°54′30″ north, longitude 125°38′18″ west; then proceeding in a southeasterly direction mirroring the coastline at a distance no farther than forty nautical miles from the mainland Pacific coast shoreline, to a point located at latitude 47°31′42″ north, longitude 125°20′26″ west, then proceeding east along that line of latitude approximately ten nautical miles to a point located at latitude 47°31′42″ north, longitude 125°5′48″ west, then proceeding in a southeasterly direction mirroring the coastline at a distance no farther than thirty nautical miles from the mainland Pacific coast shoreline to a point located at latitude 47°21′00″ north, longitude 125°2′52″ west; then proceeding east along that line of latitude to the Pacific coast shoreline near the mouth of the Quinault R… | ||||
| 50:50:13.0.1.1.1.10.1.1 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 660 | PART 660—FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES | J | Subpart J—West Coast Groundfish Electronic Monitoring Program | § 660.600 Applicability. | FWS | (a) General. This subpart contains requirements for vessels using EM in lieu of observers, as authorized under § 660.140(h)(1)(i) (Shorebased IFQ Program) and § 660.150(j)(1)(i) (MS Co-op Program), and requirements for EM service providers. Vessel owners, operators, and managers are jointly and severally liable for a vessel's compliance with EM requirements under this subpart. This subpart also contains requirements for a first receiver receiving catch from a trip monitored by EM ( see § 660.604(u)). The table below provides references to the sections that contain vessel owner, operator, first receiver, and service provider responsibilities. (b) EM program purpose. The purpose of the EM program is to provide NMFS with the best scientific information available to determine individual accountability for catch (including discards) of IFQ species and compliance with requirements of the Shorebased IFQ Program (§ 660.140) and MS Co-op Program (§ 660.150). NMFS will develop EM Program Guidelines, which will document best practices and other information that NMFS will use to evaluate proposed service and vessel monitoring plans submitted by EM service providers and vessel owners under this subpart, and to evaluate the performance of EM service providers and vessels, in meeting the requirements of this subpart to achieve the purpose of the EM program. NMFS will develop the EM Program Guidelines in consultation with the Council and publish notice of their availability in the Federal Register. NMFS will maintain the EM Program Guidelines on its website and make them available to vessel owners and operators and EM service providers to assist in developing service plans and vessel monitoring plans that comply with the requirements of this subpart and meet the purpose of the EM program. | |||||
| 50:50:13.0.1.1.1.10.1.2 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 660 | PART 660—FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES | J | Subpart J—West Coast Groundfish Electronic Monitoring Program | § 660.601 Definitions. | FWS | [84 FR 31160, June 28, 2019, as amended at 87 FR 59713, Oct. 3, 2022] | These definitions are specific to this subpart. General groundfish definitions are found at § 660.11, subpart C, and trawl fishery definitions are found at § 660.111, subpart D. Active sampling unit means the portion of the groundfish fleet in which an observer coverage plan is being applied. Discard control point means the location on the vessel designated by a vessel operator where allowable discarding may occur. Discard event means a single occurrence of discarding of fish or other species. Electronic Monitoring or EM consists of the use of an electronic monitoring system (EMS) to passively monitor fishing operations through observing or tracking. Electronic Monitoring Authorization means the official document provided by NMFS that allows a vessel with a limited entry trawl permit to use electronic monitoring under the provisions of this subpart. Electronic Monitoring System or EMS means a data collection tool that uses a software operating system connected to an assortment of electronic components, including video recorders, to create a collection of data on vessel activities. Electronic Monitoring System Certification Form means the official document provided by NMFS, signed by a representative of a NMFS-permitted electronic monitoring service provider that attest that an EM system and associated equipment meets the performance standards defined at § 660.604(j) of this subpart, as required by § 660.604(e)(3)(i). EM data means the information output of the Electronic Monitoring System ( e.g., imagery, sensor data, and other associated data files). EM data processing means the review, interpretation, and analysis of EM data and associated meta data. EM dataset means a collection of EM data from a single EM trip or group of EM trips. EM Program means the Electronic Monitoring Program of the West Coast Region, National Marine Fisheries Service. EM Service Plan means the document required under § 660.603 that describes in detail how the EM service provider will provide EM services. E… | ||||
| 50:50:13.0.1.1.1.10.1.3 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 660 | PART 660—FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES | J | Subpart J—West Coast Groundfish Electronic Monitoring Program | § 660.602 Prohibitions. | FWS | In addition to the general prohibitions specified in § 600.725 of this chapter, it is unlawful for any person to: (a) Electronic monitoring program. (1) Make a false or inaccurate/incorrect statement on an application for issuance, renewal, or changes to an EM Authorization or NMFS-accepted VMP. (2) Fish for or land fish from a trip without electronic monitoring or observer coverage when a vessel is required to carry electronic monitoring or an observer under §§ 660.140(h) or 660.150(j). (3) Fish for or land fish from a trip taken under electronic monitoring without a valid EM Authorization and NMFS-accepted vessel monitoring plan onboard, and a valid gear and monitoring declaration with NMFS OLE as required by § 660.604(c)(1) and § 660.604(m). (4) Fail to comply with the terms of a NMFS-accepted VMP. (5) Fail to notify the NMFS West Coast Groundfish Observer Program at least 48-hours prior to departing port of the vessel operator's intent to take a trip under EM, as required by § 660.604(n). (6) Fail to conduct a pre-departure test of the EM system prior to departing port as required by § 660.604(l)(2). (7) Fish on an EM trip without a fully functional EM system, unless authorized by a NMFS-accepted VMP as required by § 660.604(l)(3). (8) Fail to make the EM system, associated equipment, logbooks, EM data, and other records available for inspection immediately upon request by NMFS, its agent, or authorized officers, as required by §§ 660.604(o) and 660.604(t). (9) Discard species other than those allowed to be discarded as specified at § 660.604(p). (10) Fail to handle fish and other marine organisms in a manner that enables the EM system to record it as required by § 660.604(r). (11) Fail to submit complete and accurate logbook(s) and EM data for each EM trip as specified at § 660.604(s), (12) Tamper with, disconnect, damage, destroy, alter, or in any way distort, render useless, inoperative, ineffective, or inaccurate any component of the EM system or associated equipment. (13) Assault, resist, … | |||||
| 50:50:13.0.1.1.1.10.1.4 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 660 | PART 660—FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES | J | Subpart J—West Coast Groundfish Electronic Monitoring Program | § 660.603 Electronic monitoring provider permits and responsibilities. | FWS | [84 FR 31160, June 28, 2019, as amended at 85 FR 74614, Nov. 23, 2020; 86 FR 55527, Oct. 6, 2021; 87 FR 59713, Oct. 3, 2022; 88 FR 81359, Nov. 22, 2023] | (a) General. This section contains requirements for EM service providers providing EM services, pursuant to contracts with vessel owners whose vessels operate in the Shorebased IFQ Program (§ 660.140) or the MS Co-op Program (§ 660.150) and use EM under this subpart. A person must obtain a permit and endorsement as provided under § 660.603(b) in order to be an EM service provider. An EM service provider must: (1) Operate under a NMFS-accepted EM Service Plan (see paragraph (b)(1)(vii) of this section). (2) Provide and manage EM systems, field services, and technical assistance as required under § 660.603(k); (3) Provide technical and litigation information to NMFS or its agent ( see § 660.603(l)). (4) Provide technical support to contracted fishing vessels 24-hours per day, seven days per week, and year-round as provided under § 660.603(k)(4); (5) Provide EM data processing, reporting, and record retention services to contracted vessels using EM ( see § 660.603(m)). (6) Comply with data integrity and security requirements, including requirements pertaining to hard drives and data files containing EM data, ( see § 660.603(n)). (b) Provider permits. To be an EM service provider, a person must obtain an EM service provider permit and endorsement by submitting an application to the NMFS West Coast Region Fisheries Permit Office. NMFS will issue a public notice at least 90 calendar days prior to when it will begin accepting applications for EM service provider permits for the first year of the Program. A person may meet some requirements of this section through a partnership or subcontract with another entity, in which case the application for an EM service provider permit must include information about the partnership. Once NMFS begins accepting applications, if a new EM service provider, or an existing EM service provider seeking to deploy a new EMS or software version, submits an application by June 1, NMFS will issue a new permit by January 1 of the following calendar year. Applications submitted aft… | ||||
| 50:50:13.0.1.1.1.10.1.5 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 660 | PART 660—FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES | J | Subpart J—West Coast Groundfish Electronic Monitoring Program | § 660.604 Vessel and first receiver responsibilities. | FWS | [84 FR 31160, June 28, 2019; 84 FR 36035, July 26, 2019, as amended at 84 FR 67680, Dec. 11, 2019; 85 FR 74614, Nov. 23, 2020; 86 FR 55527, Oct. 6, 2021; 87 FR 59714, Oct. 3, 2022; 87 FR 77007, Dec. 16, 2022; 88 FR 81358, Nov. 22, 2023; 89 FR 101544, Dec. 16, 2024] | (a) General. This section lays out the requirements for catcher vessels to obtain an exemption to use EM in place of 100-percent observer coverage required by the Shorebased IFQ Program (§ 660.140(h)(1)(i)) and MS Co-op Program (§ 660.150(j)(1)(i)(B)). Requirements are also described for first receivers receiving landings from EM trips. (b) Vessel owner responsibilities. To use EM under this section, vessel owners must: (1) Obtain an EM Authorization from the NMFS West Coast Region Fisheries Permit Office ( see § 660.604(e)); (2) Install an EM system using a NMFS-permitted EM service provider that meets performance standards under § 660.604(j); (3) Have a signed EM system certification form ( see § 660.604(e)(3)(i)); (4) Have a NMFS-accepted vessel monitoring plan ( see § 660.604(e)(3)(iii)); (5) Ensure that the vessel operator attends a mandatory EM orientation session provided by the NMFS West Coast Region EM Program (NMFS may waive this requirement on a case-by-case basis, such as when the vessel operator has prior EM experience); (6) Maintain logbooks and other records for three years and provide them to NMFS or authorized officers for inspection ( see § 660.604(t)). (7) Obtain EM data processing, reporting, and recordkeeping services from a NMFS-permitted EM service provider ( see § 660.604(k)). (c) Vessel operator responsibilities. To use EM under this section, vessel operators must: (1) Maintain a valid EM Authorization and NMFS-accepted vessel monitoring plan onboard the vessel at all times that the vessel is fishing on an EM trip or when fish harvested during an EM trip are onboard the vessel; (2) Ensure that the EM system is installed, operated, and maintained consistent with performance standards ( see § 660.604(l)); (3) Comply with a NMFS-accepted vessel monitoring plan ( see § 660.604(e)(3)(iii); (4) Make declaration reports to OLE prior to leaving port ( see § 660.604(m)); (5) Provide advance notice to the NMFS WCGOP at least 48 hours prior to departing port ( see § 660.… | ||||
| 50:50:13.0.1.1.1.11.1.1 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 660 | PART 660—FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES | K | Subpart K—Highly Migratory Fisheries | § 660.701 Purpose and scope. | FWS | This subpart implements the Fishery Management Plan for U.S. West Coast Fisheries for Highly Migratory Species (FMP). These regulations govern commercial and recreational fishing for HMS in the U.S. EEZ off the coasts of Washington, Oregon, and California and in adjacent high seas waters. | |||||
| 50:50:13.0.1.1.1.11.1.10 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 660 | PART 660—FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES | K | Subpart K—Highly Migratory Fisheries | § 660.710 Closure of directed fishery. | FWS | (a) When a quota has been taken, the Regional Administrator will announce in the Federal Register the date of closure of the fishery for the species of concern. (b) When a harvest guideline has been taken, the Regional Administrator will initiate review of the species of concern according to section 8.4.8 of the FMP and publish in the Federal Register any necessary and appropriate regulations following Council recommendations. | |||||
| 50:50:13.0.1.1.1.11.1.11 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 660 | PART 660—FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES | K | Subpart K—Highly Migratory Fisheries | § 660.711 General catch restrictions. | FWS | [69 FR 18453, Apr. 7, 2004, as amended at 80 FR 46520, Aug. 5, 2015] | (a) Incidental landings. HMS caught by gear not authorized by this subpart may be landed in incidental amounts as follows: (1) Drift gillnet vessels with stretched mesh less than 14 inches may land up to 10 HMS per trip, except that no swordfish may be landed. (2) Bottom longline vessels may land up to 20 percent by weight of management unit sharks in landings of all species, or 3 individual sharks of the species in the management unit, whichever is greater. (3) Trawl and pot gear vessels may land up to 1 percent by weight of management unit sharks in a landing of all species or 2 individual sharks of the species in the management unit, whichever is greater. (b) Marlin prohibition. The sale of striped marlin by a vessel with a permit under this subpart is prohibited. (c) Sea turtle handling and resuscitation. All sea turtles taken incidentally in fishing operations by any HMS vessel other than vessels subject to § 660.712 must be handled in accordance with 50 CFR 223.206(d)(1). | ||||
| 50:50:13.0.1.1.1.11.1.12 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 660 | PART 660—FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES | K | Subpart K—Highly Migratory Fisheries | § 660.712 Longline fishery. | FWS | [69 FR 18453, Apr. 7, 2004, as amended at 77 FR 15975, Mar. 19, 2012] | (a) Gear and fishing restrictions. (1) Owners and operators of vessels registered for use of longline gear may not use longline gear to fish for or target HMS within the U.S. EEZ. (2) Owners and operators of vessels registered for use of longline gear may not make shallow sets with longline gear to fish for or target swordfish ( Xiphias gladius ) west of 150° W. long. and north of the equator (0° N. lat.). (3) A person aboard a vessel registered for use of longline gear fishing for HMS west of 150° W. long. and north of the equator (0° N. lat.) may not possess or deploy any float line that is shorter than or equal to 20 m (65.6 ft or 10.9 fm). As used in this paragraph, float line means a line used to suspend the main longline beneath a float. (4) From April 1 through May 31, owners and operators of vessels registered for use of longline gear may not use longline gear in waters bounded on the south by 0° lat., on the north by 15° N. lat., on the east by 145° W. long., and on the west by 180° long. (5) From April 1 through May 31, owners and operators of vessels registered for use of longline gear may not receive from another vessel HMS that were harvested by longline gear in waters bounded on the south by 0° lat., on the north by 15° N. lat., on the east by 145° W. long., and on the west by 180° long. (6) From April 1 through May 31, owners and operators of vessels registered for use of longline gear may not land or transship HMS that were harvested by longline gear in waters bounded on the south by 0° lat., on the north by 15° N. lat., on the east by 145° W. long., and on the west by 180° long. (7) No light stick may be possessed on board a vessel registered for use of longline gear during fishing trips that include any fishing west of 150° W. long. and north of the equator (0° N. lat.). A light stick as used in this paragraph is any type of light emitting device, including any flourescent glow bead, chemical, or electrically powered light that is affixed underwater to the longline gear. (8) When a conv… | ||||
| 50:50:13.0.1.1.1.11.1.13 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 660 | PART 660—FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES | K | Subpart K—Highly Migratory Fisheries | § 660.713 Drift gillnet fishery. | FWS | [69 FR 18453, Apr. 7, 2004, as amended at 72 FR 31757, June 8, 2007; 78 FR 54551, Sept. 4, 2013; 80 FR 10395, Feb. 26, 2015; 85 FR 7250, Feb. 7, 2020] | (a) Take Reduction Plan gear restrictions. Gear restrictions resulting from the Pacific Offshore Cetacean Take Reduction Plan established under the authority of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 can be found at 50 CFR 229.31. (b) Other gear restrictions. (1) The maximum length of a drift gillnet on board a vessel shall not exceed 6,000 ft (1828 m). (2) Up to 1,500 ft (457 m) of drift gillnet in separate panels of 600 ft (182.88 m) may be on board the vessel in a storage area. (c) Protected Resource Area closures. (1) Pacific leatherback conservation area. No person may fish with, set, or haul back drift gillnet gear in U.S. waters of the Pacific Ocean from August 15 through November 15 in the area bounded by straight lines connecting the following coordinates in the order listed: (i) Pt. Sur at 36°18.5′ N. lat., to (ii) 34°27′ N. lat. 123°35′ W. long., to (iii) 34°27′ N. lat. 129° W. long., to (iv) 45° N. lat. 129° W. long., thence to (v) the point where 45° N. lat. intersects the Oregon coast. (2) Pacific loggerhead conservation area. No person may fish with, set, or haul back drift gillnet gear in U.S. waters of the Pacific Ocean east of the 120° W. meridian from June 1 through August 31 during a forecasted, or occurring, El Nino event off the coast of southern California. (i) Notification of an El Nino event. The Assistant Administrator will publish in the Federal Register a notification that an El Nino event is occurring, or is forecast to occur, off the coast of southern California and the requirement of a closure under this paragraph (c)(2). Furthermore, the Assistant Administrator will announce the requirement of such a closure by other methods as are necessary and appropriate to provide actual notice to the participants in the California/Oregon drift gillnet fishery. (ii) Determination of El Nino conditions. The Assistant Administrator will rely on information developed by NOAA offices which monitor El Nino events, such as NOAA's Climate Prediction Center and the West Coast… | ||||
| 50:50:13.0.1.1.1.11.1.14 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 660 | PART 660—FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES | K | Subpart K—Highly Migratory Fisheries | § 660.714 Purse seine fishery. [Reserved] | FWS | ||||||
| 50:50:13.0.1.1.1.11.1.15 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 660 | PART 660—FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES | K | Subpart K—Highly Migratory Fisheries | § 660.715 Deep-set buoy gear fishery. | FWS | [88 FR 29552, May 8, 2023] | (a) Gear configurations. Deep-set buoy gear (DSBG) configurations must conform to the following specifications: (1) Standard buoy gear (SBG). An individual piece of SBG must consist of a vertical monofilament mainline suspended from a buoy-array with a terminal weight. No more than three gangions with hooks may be attached to the mainline. No gangions with hooks may be attached at a depth shallower than 90 meters. (2) Linked buoy gear (LBG). An individual piece (section) of LBG must consist of a monofilament mainline that extends vertically from a buoy-array (either directly or from a minimum 50-foot (15.24-meter) extender) to a weight; then horizontally to a second weight; then vertically to a minimum 50-foot (15.24-meter) extender attached to a second buoy-array. No more than three gangions with hooks may be connected to each horizontal section of the mainline. No gangions with hooks may be attached at a depth shallower than 90 meters. Individual pieces may be linked together by the mainline. The links between each piece of LBG must be serviceable. (b) Additional gear configuration specifications. Use of SBG and LBG must conform with the following requirements: (1) Surface buoy flotation and strike detection array requirements. The surface buoy flotation and strike detection array must include a minimum of three buoys (a minimum 45-pound (20.41 kilogram) buoyancy non-compressible hard ball, a minimum 6-pound (2.72 kilogram) buoyancy buoy, and a strike detection buoy), with no more than 6 feet (1.83 meters) of line between adjacent buoys, all connected in-line by a minimum of 3/8 inch (9.53 millimeter) diameter line. (i) Buoys must be free of tether attachments ( e.g., non-streamlined gear with loops and/or dangling components). (ii) SBG and terminal LBG buoy-arrays must include a locator flag, a radar reflector, and the buoy must be marked with a number clearly identifying the owner or operator of the vessel. The number may be either: (A) If required by applicable state law, the vessel's nu… | ||||
| 50:50:13.0.1.1.1.11.1.16 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 660 | PART 660—FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES | K | Subpart K—Highly Migratory Fisheries | § 660.716 [Reserved] | FWS | ||||||
| 50:50:13.0.1.1.1.11.1.17 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 660 | PART 660—FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES | K | Subpart K—Highly Migratory Fisheries | § 660.717 Framework for revising regulations. | FWS | (a) General. NMFS will establish and adjust specifications and management measures in accordance with procedures and standards in the FMP. (b) Annual actions. Annual specifications are developed and implemented according to § 660.709. (c) Routine management measures. Consistent with section 3.4 of the FMP, management measures designated as routine may be adjusted during the year after recommendation from the Council, approval by NMFS, and publication in the Federal Register. (d) Changes to the regulations. Regulations under this subpart may be promulgated, removed, or revised. Any such action will be made according to the framework measures in section 8.3.4 of the FMP and will be published in the Federal Register. | |||||
| 50:50:13.0.1.1.1.11.1.18 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 660 | PART 660—FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES | K | Subpart K—Highly Migratory Fisheries | § 660.718 Exempted fishing. | FWS | (a) In the interest of developing an efficient and productive fishery for HMS, the Regional Administrator may issue exempted fishing permits (EFP) for the harvest of HMS that otherwise would be prohibited. (b) No exempted fishing for HMS may be conducted unless authorized by an EFP issued for the participating vessel in accordance with the criteria and procedures specified in 50 CFR 600.745. | |||||
| 50:50:13.0.1.1.1.11.1.19 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 660 | PART 660—FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES | K | Subpart K—Highly Migratory Fisheries | § 660.719 Scientific observers. | FWS | (a) All fishing vessels with permits issued under this subpart and operating in HMS fisheries, including catcher/processors, at-sea processors, and vessels that embark from a port in Washington, Oregon, or California and land catch in another area, may be required to accommodate an NMFS certified observer on board to collect scientific data. (b) All vessels with observers on board must comply with the safety regulations at 50 CFR 600.746. (c) NMFS shall advise the permit holder or the designated agent of any observer requirement in response to any pre-trip notification in this subpart. (d) When NMFS notifies the permit holder or designated agent of the obligation to carry an observer in response to a notification under this subpart or as a condition of an EFP issued under 50 CFR 660.718, the vessel may not engage in the fishery without taking the observer. (e) A permit holder must accommodate a NMFS observer assigned under this section. The Regional Administrator's office, and not the observer, will address any concerns raised over accommodations. (f) The permit holder, vessel operator, and crew must cooperate with the observer in the performance of the observer's duties, including: (1) Allowing for the embarking and debarking of the observer. (2) Allowing the observer access to all areas of the vessel necessary to conduct observer duties. (3) Allowing the observer access to communications equipment and navigation equipment as necessary to perform observer duties. (4) Allowing the observer access to VMS units to verify operation, obtain data, and use the communication capabilities of the units for official purposes. (5) Providing accurate vessel locations by latitude and longitude or loran coordinates, upon request by the observer. (6) Providing sea turtle, marine mammal, or sea bird specimens as requested. (7) Notifying the observer in a timely fashion when commercial fishing operations are to begin and end. (g) The permit holder, operator, and crew must comply with other terms and conditions to ens… | |||||
| 50:50:13.0.1.1.1.11.1.2 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 660 | PART 660—FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES | K | Subpart K—Highly Migratory Fisheries | § 660.702 Definitions. | FWS | [69 FR 18453, Apr. 7, 2004, as amended at 76 FR 56328, Sept. 13, 2011; 80 FR 10394, Feb. 26, 2015; 80 FR 46520, Aug. 5, 2015; 83 FR 11150, Mar. 14, 2018; 85 FR 7250, Feb. 7, 2020; 88 FR 29548, May 8, 2023] | Basket-style longline gear means a type of longline gear that is divided into units called baskets, each consisting of a segment of main line to which 10 or more branch lines with hooks are spliced. The mainline and all branch lines are made of multiple braided strands of cotton, nylon, or other synthetic fibers impregnated with tar or other heavy coatings that cause the lines to sink rapidly in seawater. Change in ownership means the addition of a new shareholder or partner to the membership of the corporation, partnership, or other entity. A change in ownership is not considered to have occurred if a member dies or becomes legally incapacitated and a trustee is appointed to act on their behalf, nor if the ownership of shares among existing members changes, nor if a member leaves the corporation or partnership or other entity and is not replaced. A change in ownership is not considered to have occurred if only the name of the entity changes. Closure, when referring to closure of a fishery, means that taking and retaining, possessing, or landing the particular species or species group is prohibited. Commercial fishing means: (1) Fishing by a person who possesses a commercial fishing license or is required by law to possess such license issued by one of the states or the Federal Government as a prerequisite to taking, retaining, possessing, landing and/or selling of fish; or (2) Fishing that results in or can be reasonably expected to result in sale, barter, trade, or other disposition of fish for other than personal consumption. Commercial fishing gear includes the following types of gear and equipment used in the highly migratory species fisheries: (1) Deep-set buoy gear. Line fishing gear which consists of vertical mainlines suspended from a buoy array, with gangions with hooks attached to either a vertical line or a horizontal line connected to the terminal ends of two vertical lines. All configurations must be set at or below a minimum depth and actively tended; (2) Drift gillnet. A panel o… | ||||
| 50:50:13.0.1.1.1.11.1.20 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 660 | PART 660—FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES | K | Subpart K—Highly Migratory Fisheries | § 660.720 Interim protection for sea turtles. | FWS | (a) Until the effective date of §§ 660.707 and 660.712 (d) and (e), it is unlawful for any person who is not operating under a Hawaii longline limited access permit under § 660.21(b) to do any of the following: (1) Direct fishing effort toward the harvest of swordfish ( Xiphias gladius ) using longline gear deployed on the high seas of the Pacific Ocean west of 150° W. long. and north of the equator (0° lat.). (2) Possess a light stick on board a longline vessel on the high seas of the Pacific Ocean west of 150° W. long. north of the equator. A light stick as used in this paragraph is any type of light emitting device, including any fluorescent glow bead, chemical, or electrically powered light that is affixed underwater to the longline gear. (3) An operator of a longline vessel subject to this section may land or possess no more than 10 swordfish from a fishing trip where any part of the trip included fishing west of 150° W. long. and north of the equator (0° N. lat.). (4) Fail to employ basket-style longline gear such that the mainline is deployed slack when fishing on the high seas of the Pacific Ocean west of 150° W. long. north of the equator. (5) When a conventional monofilament longline is deployed by a vessel subject to this section, no fewer than 15 branch lines may be set between any two floats. Vessel operators using basket-style longline gear must set a minimum of 10 branch lines between any 2 floats when fishing in waters west of 150° W. long. north of the equator. (6) Longline gear deployed by a vessel subject to this section must be deployed such that the deepest point of the main longline between any two floats, i.e., the deepest point in each sag of the main line, is at a depth greater than 100 m (328.1 ft or 54.6 fm) below the sea surface. (b) [Reserved] | |||||
| 50:50:13.0.1.1.1.11.1.21 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 660 | PART 660—FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES | K | Subpart K—Highly Migratory Fisheries | § 660.721 Recreational fishing bag limits and filleting requirements. | FWS | [72 FR 58259, Oct. 15, 2007, as amended at 80 FR 44891, July 28, 2015] | This section applies to recreational fishing for albacore tuna in the U.S. EEZ off the coast of California, Oregon, and Washington and for bluefin tuna in the U.S. EEZ off the coast of California. In addition to individual fishermen, the operator of a U.S. sportsfishing vessel that fishes for albacore or bluefin tuna is responsible for ensuring that the bag and possession limits of this section are not exceeded. The bag limits of this section apply on the basis of each 24-hour period at sea, regardless of the number of trips per day. The provisions of this section do not authorize any person to take and retain more than one daily bag limit of fish during 1 calendar day. Federal recreational HMS regulations are not intended to supersede any more restrictive state recreational HMS regulations relating to federally-managed HMS. (a) Albacore Tuna Daily Bag Limit. Except pursuant to a multi-day possession permit referenced in paragraph (c) of this section, a recreational fisherman may take and retain, or possess onboard no more than: (1) Ten albacore tuna if any part of the fishing trip occurs in the U.S. EEZ south of a line running due west true from 34°27′ N. latitude (at Point Conception, Santa Barbara County) to the U.S.-Mexico border. (2) Twenty-five albacore tuna if any part of the fishing trip occurs in the U.S. EEZ north of a line running due west true from 34°27′ N. latitude (at Point Conception, Santa Barbara County) to the California-Oregon border. (b) Bluefin Tuna Daily Bag Limit. A recreational fisherman may take and retain, or possess on board no more than two bluefin tuna during any part of a fishing trip that occurs in the U.S. EEZ off California south of a line running due west true from the California—Oregon border [42°00′ N. latitude]. (c) Possession Limits. If the State of California requires a multi-day possession permit for albacore or bluefin tuna harvested by a recreational fishing vessel and landed in California, aggregating daily trip limits for multi-day trips would be deemed cons… | ||||
| 50:50:13.0.1.1.1.11.1.3 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 660 | PART 660—FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES | K | Subpart K—Highly Migratory Fisheries | § 660.703 Management area. | FWS | The fishery management area for the regulation of fishing for HMS has the following designations and boundaries: (a) Southern boundary—the United States-Mexico International Boundary, which is a line connecting the following coordinates: 32°35′22″ N. lat. 117°27′49″ W. long. 32°37′37″ N. lat. 117°49′31″ W. long. 31°07′58″ N. lat. 118°36′18″ W. long. 30°32′31″ N. lat. 121°51′58″ W. long. (b) Northern boundary—the United States-Canada Provisional International Boundary, which is a line connecting the following coordinates: 48°29′37.19″ N. lat. 124°43′33.19″ W. long. 48°30′11″ N. lat. 124°47′13″ W. long. 48°30′22″ N. lat. 124°50′21″ W. long. 48°30′14″ N. lat. 124°54′52″ W. long. 48°29′57″ N. lat. 124°59′14″ W. long. 48°29′44″ N. lat. 125°00′06″ W. long. 48°28′09″ N. lat. 125°05′47″ W. long. 48°27′10″ N. lat. 125°08′25″ W. long. 48°26′47″ N. lat 125°09′12″ W. long. 48°20′16″ N. lat. 125°22′48″ W. long. 48°18′22″ N. lat. 125°29′58″ W. long. 48°11′05″ N. lat. 125°53′48″ W. long. 47°49′15″ N. lat. 126°40′57″ W. long. 47°36′47″ N. lat. 127°11′58″ W. long. 47°22′00″ N. lat. 127°41′23″ W. long. 46°42′05″ N. lat. 128°51′56″ W. long. 46°31′47″ N. lat. 129°07′39″ W. long. (c) Adjacent waters on the high seas in which persons subject to this subpart may fish. | |||||
| 50:50:13.0.1.1.1.11.1.4 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 660 | PART 660—FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES | K | Subpart K—Highly Migratory Fisheries | § 660.704 Vessel identification. | FWS | [76 FR 73520, Nov. 29, 2011] | (a) Applicability. This section only applies to commercial fishing vessels that fish for HMS off, or land HMS in the States of California, Oregon, and Washington. This section does not apply to recreational charter vessels that fish for HMS off or land HMS in the States of California, Oregon, and Washington. Each fishing vessel must be marked for identification purposes, as follows: (1) A vessel used to fish on the high seas within the Convention Area as defined in § 300.211 of this title must be marked in accordance with the requirements at §§ 300.14 and 300.217 of this title. (2) A vessel not used to fish on the high seas within the Convention Area as defined in § 300.211 of this title must be marked in accordance with either: (i) Sections 300.14 and 300.217 of this title, or (ii) The vessel's official number must be affixed to the port and starboard sides of the deckhouse or hull, and on an appropriate weather deck so as to be visible from enforcement vessels and aircraft. The official number must be affixed to each vessel subject to this section in block Arabic numerals at least 10 inches (25.40 cm) in height for vessels more than 25 ft (7.62 m) but equal to or less than 65 ft (19.81 m) in length; and 18 inches (45.72 cm) in height for vessels longer than 65 ft (19.81 m) in length. Markings must be legible and of a color that contrasts with the background. (b) [Reserved] | ||||
| 50:50:13.0.1.1.1.11.1.5 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 660 | PART 660—FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES | K | Subpart K—Highly Migratory Fisheries | § 660.705 Prohibitions. | FWS | [69 FR 18453, Apr. 7, 2004, as amended at 72 FR 58259, Oct. 15, 2007; 77 FR 15975, Mar. 19, 2012; 80 FR 10395, Feb. 26, 2015; 80 FR 46520, Aug. 5, 2015; 85 FR 7250, Feb. 7, 2020; 88 FR 29548, May 8, 2023] | In addition to the general prohibitions specified in § 600.725 of this chapter, it is unlawful for any person to do any of the following: (a) Fish for HMS in the U.S. EEZ off the Pacific coast without a permit issued under § 660.707 for the use of authorized fishing gear. (b) Fish with gear in any closed area specified in this subpart that prohibits the use of such gear. (c) Land HMS at Pacific coast ports without a permit issued under § 600.707 for the use of authorized fishing gear. (d) Sell HMS without an applicable commercial state fishery license. (e) When fishing for HMS, fail to return a prohibited species to the sea immediately with a minimum of injury, except under the following circumstances: (1) Any prohibited species may be retained for examination by an authorized observer or to return tagged fish as specified by the tagging agency. (2) Salmon may be retained if harvested in accordance with subpart H of this part, and other applicable law. (3) Great white sharks, basking sharks, and megamouth sharks may be retained if incidentally caught and subsequently sold or donated to a recognized scientific or educational organization for research or display purposes. (4) Pacific halibut may be retained if harvested in accordance with part 300, subpart E of this Title, and other applicable law. (f) Falsify or fail to affix and maintain vessel markings as required by § 660.704. (g) Fish for HMS in violation of any terms or conditions attached to an exempted fishing permit issued under § 600.745 of this chapter. (h) When a directed fishery has been closed for a specific species, take and retain, possess, or land that species after the closure date. (i) Refuse to submit fishing gear or fish subject to such person's control to inspection by an authorized officer, or to interfere with or prevent, by any means, such an inspection. (j) Falsify or fail to make and/or file any and all reports of fishing, landing, or any other activity involving HMS, containing all data, and in the exact manner, required by… | ||||
| 50:50:13.0.1.1.1.11.1.6 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 660 | PART 660—FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES | K | Subpart K—Highly Migratory Fisheries | § 660.706 Pacific Coast Treaty Indian rights. | FWS | [69 FR 18453, Apr. 7, 2004, as amended at 81 FR 36808, June 8, 2016] | (a) Pacific Coast treaty Indian tribes have treaty rights to harvest HMS in their usual and accustomed (U&A) fishing areas in the EEZ. (b) Pacific Coast treaty Indian tribes means the Hoh, Makah, and Quileute Indian Tribes and the Quinault Indian Nation. (c) The Pacific Coast treaty Indian tribes' U&A fishing areas within the EEZ are set forth in § 660.4 of this chapter. (d) Procedures. The rights referred to in paragraph (a) of this section will be implemented by the Secretary of Commerce, after consideration of the tribal request, the recommendation of the Council, and the comments of the public. The rights will be implemented either through an allocation of fish that will be managed by the tribes, or through regulations that will apply specifically to the tribal fisheries. An allocation or a regulation specific to the tribes shall be initiated by a written request from a Pacific Coast treaty Indian tribe to the NMFS West Coast Regional Administrator, at least 120 days prior to the time the allocation is desired to be effective, and will be subject to public review through the Council process. The Secretary of Commerce recognizes the sovereign status and co-manager role of Indian tribes over shared Federal and tribal fishery resources. Accordingly, the Secretary of Commerce will develop tribal allocations and regulations in consultation with the affected tribe(s) and, insofar as possible, with tribal consensus. (e) Identification. A valid treaty Indian identification card issued pursuant to 25 CFR part 249, subpart A, is prima facie evidence that the holder is a member of the Pacific Coast treaty Indian tribe named on the card. (f) Fishing (on a tribal allocation or under a Federal regulation applicable to tribal fisheries) by a member of a Pacific Coast treaty Indian tribe within that tribe's U&A fishing area is not subject to provisions of the HMS regulations applicable to non-treaty fisheries. (g) Any member of a Pacific Coast treaty Indian tribe must comply with any applicable Federal and tribal l… | ||||
| 50:50:13.0.1.1.1.11.1.7 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 660 | PART 660—FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES | K | Subpart K—Highly Migratory Fisheries | § 660.707 Permits. | FWS | [69 FR 18453, Apr. 7, 2004, as amended at 72 FR 10937, Mar. 12, 2007; 74 FR 37178, July 28, 2009; 83 FR 11150, Mar. 14, 2018; 88 FR 29549, May 8, 2023] | (a) General. This section applies to vessels that fish for HMS off or land HMS in the States of California, Oregon, and Washington. (1) A commercial fishing vessel of the United States must be registered for use under a general HMS permit that authorizes the use of specific gear, and a recreational charter vessel must be registered for use under a HMS permit if that vessel is used: (i) To fish for HMS in the U.S. EEZ off the States of California, Oregon, and Washington; or (ii) To land or transship HMS shoreward of the outer boundary of the U.S. EEZ off the States of California, Oregon, and Washington. (2) The permit must be on board the vessel and available for inspection by an authorized officer, except that if the permit was issued while the vessel was at sea, this requirement applies only to any subsequent trip. (3) A permit is valid only for the vessel for which it is registered. A permit not registered for use with a particular vessel may not be used. (4) Only a person eligible to own a documented vessel under the terms of 46 U.S.C. 12102(a) may be issued or may hold (by ownership or otherwise) a general HMS permit. (b) Application. (1) Following publication of the final rule implementing the FMP, NMFS will issue general HMS permits to the owners of those vessels on a list of vessels obtained from owners previously applying for a permit under the authority of the High Seas Fishing Compliance Act, the Tuna Conventions Act of 1950, the Marine Mammal Protection Act, and the Fishery Management Plan for Pelagic Fisheries of the Western Pacific Region, or whose vessels are listed on the vessel register of the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission. (2) All permits issued by NMFS in accordance with paragraph (b)(1) of this section will authorize the use of specific fishing gear by the identified commercial fishing vessels. (3) An owner of a vessel subject to these requirements who has not received a permit under this section from NMFS and who wants to engage in the fisheries must apply to the SFD for… | ||||
| 50:50:13.0.1.1.1.11.1.8 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 660 | PART 660—FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES | K | Subpart K—Highly Migratory Fisheries | § 660.708 Reporting and recordkeeping. | FWS | [69 FR 18453, Apr. 7, 2004, as amended at 80 FR 62501, Oct. 16, 2015] | (a) Logbooks. The operator of any commercial fishing vessel and any recreational charter vessel fishing for HMS in the management area must maintain on board the vessel an accurate and complete record of catch, effort, and other data on report forms provided by the Regional Administrator or a state agency. All information specified on the forms must be recorded on the forms within 24 hours after the completion of each fishing day. The original logbook form for each day of the fishing trip must be submitted to either the Regional Administrator or the appropriate state management agency within 30 days of each landing or transhipment of HMS. Each form must be signed and dated by the fishing vessel operator. (1) Logbooks that meet the logbook reporting requirement may be found at http://swr.nmfs.noaa.gov/logbooks.htm and include: (i) The logbook required under 50 CFR 300.21 implementing the Tuna Conventions Act of 1950; (ii) The logbook required under § 660.14 implementing the Fishery Management Plan for Pelagic Fisheries of the Western Pacific Region; (iii) Any logbook required by the fishery management agency of the States of California, Oregon, or Washington. (2) Any holder of a permit who does not submit logbooks under any of the above authorities must submit a written request to the SFD for the appropriate logbook. The applicant must provide his or her name and address, the name of the vessel, and the type of fishing gear used. (3) The Regional Administrator may, after consultation with the Council, act to modify the information to be provided on the fishing record forms. (b) Any person who is required to do so by the applicable state law must make and/or file, retain, or make available any and all reports of HMS containing all data, and in the exact manner, required by the applicable state law. | ||||
| 50:50:13.0.1.1.1.11.1.9 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 660 | PART 660—FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES | K | Subpart K—Highly Migratory Fisheries | § 660.709 Annual specifications. | FWS | [69 FR 18453, Apr. 7, 2004, as amended at 76 FR 56328, Sept. 13, 2011; 83 FR 19982, May 7, 2018] | (a) Procedure. (1) Each year, the HMSMT will deliver a stock assessment and fishery evaluation report to the Council for all HMS with any necessary recommendations for harvest guidelines, quotas or other management measures to protect HMS, including updated maximum sustainable yield (MSY) and optimum yield (OY) estimates based on the best available science. The Council's Scientific and Statistical Committee may review the estimates and make a recommendation on their suitability for management. As described in the fishery management plan, the Council will periodically review these recommendations and decide whether to adopt updated numerical estimates of MSY and OY, which are then submitted as recommendations for NMFS to review as part of the management measures review process. (2) Based on recommendations of the Council, the Regional Administrator will approve or disapprove any harvest guideline, quota, or other management measure including updated MSY and OY estimates after reviewing such recommendations to determine compliance with the FMP, the Magnuson Act, and other applicable law. The Regional Administrator will implement through rulemaking any approved harvest guideline, quota, or other management measure adopted under this section. (b) Fishing seasons for all species will begin on April 1 of each year at 0001 hours local time and terminate on March 31 of each year at 2400 hours local time. (c) Harvest guidelines, quotas, and other management measures announced for a particular year will be in effect the following year unless changed through the public review process described in paragraph (a) of this section. (d) Irrespective of the normal review process, the Council may propose management action to protect HMS at any time. The Council may adopt a management cycle different from the one described in the fishery management plan provided that such change is made by a majority vote of the Council and a 6-month notice of the change is given. | ||||
| 50:50:13.0.1.1.1.2.1.1 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 660 | PART 660—FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES | B | Subpart B—All West Coast EEZ Fisheries | § 660.5 Shared Ecosystem Component Species. | FWS | [81 FR 19057, Apr. 4, 2016, as amended at 89 FR 101522, Dec. 16, 2024] | (a) General. The FMPs implemented in this part 660 each contain ecosystem component species specific to each FMP, as well as a group of ecosystem component species shared between all of the FMPs. Ecosystem component species shared between all of the Pacific Fishery Management Council's FMPs, and known collectively as “Shared EC Species,” are: (1) Round herring ( Etrumeus teres ) and thread herring ( Ophisthonema libertate and O. medirastre ). (2) Mesopelagic fishes of the families Myctophidae, Bathylagidae, Paralepididae, and Gonostomatidae . (3) Pacific sand lance ( Ammodytes personatus ) (4) Pacific saury ( Cololabis saira ). (5) Silversides (family Atherinopsidae ). (6) Smelts of the family Osmeridae . (7) Pelagic squids (families: Cranchiidae, Gonatidae, Histioteuthidae, Octopoteuthidae, Ommastrephidae except Humboldt squid [ Dosidicus gigas, ] Onychoteuthidae, and Thysanoteuthidae ). (b) Directed commercial fishing for Shared EC Species. For the purposes of this section, “directed commercial fishing” means that a fishing vessel lands Shared EC Species without landing any species other than Shared EC Species, or lands Shared EC Species with other species and in amounts more than: (1) 10 mt combined weight of all Shared EC Species from any fishing trip; or (2) 30 mt combined weight of all Shared EC Species in any calendar year. | ||||
| 50:50:13.0.1.1.1.2.1.2 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 660 | PART 660—FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES | B | Subpart B—All West Coast EEZ Fisheries | § 660.6 Prohibitions. | FWS | In addition to the general prohibitions specified in § 600.725 of this chapter, and the other prohibitions specified in this part, it is unlawful for any person to: (a) Directed commercial fishing. Engage in directed commercial fishing for Shared EC Species from a vessel engaged in commercial fishing within the EEZ off Washington, Oregon, or California. This prohibition does not apply to: (1) Fishing authorized by the Hoh, Makah, or Quileute Indian Tribes, or by the Quinault Indian Nation, or (2) Fishing trips conducted entirely within state marine waters. (b) At-sea processing. At-sea processing of Shared EC Species is prohibited within the EEZ, except while processing groundfish in accordance with subpart D of this part. | |||||
| 50:50:13.0.1.1.1.3.1.1 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 660 | PART 660—FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES | C | Subpart C—West Coast Groundfish Fisheries | § 660.10 Purpose and scope. | FWS | (a) Subparts C through G of this part implement the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan (PCGFMP) developed by the Pacific Fishery Management Council. Subparts C through G govern fishing vessels of the U.S. in the EEZ off the coasts of Washington, Oregon, and California. All weights are in round weight or round-weight equivalents, unless specified otherwise. (b) Any person fishing subject to subparts C through G of this part is bound by the international boundaries described in this section, notwithstanding any dispute or negotiation between the U.S. and any neighboring country regarding their respective jurisdictions, until such time as new boundaries are established or recognized by the U.S. | |||||
| 50:50:13.0.1.1.1.3.1.10 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 660 | PART 660—FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES | C | Subpart C—West Coast Groundfish Fisheries | § 660.19 Appeals process for catch monitors, observers, and provider permits. | FWS | [80 FR 22285, Apr. 21, 2015, as amended at 84 FR 31159, June 28, 2019] | (a) Allowed appeals. This section describes the procedure for appealing IADs described at §§ 660.17(g), 660.18(d) and (f), 660.140(h), 660.150(j), 660.160(g), 660.603(b)(3) for catch monitor decertification, observer decertification, provider permit expirations due to inactivity, and EM service provider permit denials. Any person whose interest is directly and adversely affected by an IAD may file a written appeal. For purposes of this section, such person will be referred to as the “applicant.” (b) Appeals process. In cases where the applicant disagrees with the IAD, the applicant may appeal that decision. Final decisions on appeals of IADs will be made in writing by the Regional Administrator or designee acting on behalf of the Secretary of Commerce and will state the reasons therefore. (1) Submission of appeals. (i) The appeal must be in writing and comply with this paragraph. (ii) Appeals must be mailed or faxed to: National Marine Fisheries Service, West Coast Region, Sustainable Fisheries Division, ATTN: Appeals, 7600 Sand Point Way NE., Seattle, WA 98115; Fax: 206-526-6426; or delivered to National Marine Fisheries Service at the same address. (2) Timing of appeals. The appeal must be filed within 30 calendar days after the IAD is issued. The IAD becomes the final decision of the Regional Administrator or designee acting on behalf of the Secretary of Commerce if no appeal is filed within 30 calendar days. The time period to submit an appeal begins with the date on the IAD. If the last day of the time period is a Saturday, Sunday, or Federal holiday, the time period will extend to the close of business on the next business day. (3) Address of record. The address used by the applicant in initial correspondence to NMFS concerning the application will be the address used by NMFS for the appeal. Notifications and correspondence associated with all actions affecting the applicant will be mailed to the address of record unless the applicant provides NMFS, in writing, an address change. NMFS bears n… | ||||
| 50:50:13.0.1.1.1.3.1.11 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 660 | PART 660—FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES | C | Subpart C—West Coast Groundfish Fisheries | § 660.20 Vessel and gear identification. | FWS | (a) Vessel identification —(1) Display. The operator of a vessel that is over 25 ft (7.6 m) in length and is engaged in commercial fishing for groundfish must display the vessel's official number on the port and starboard sides of the deckhouse or hull, and on a weather deck so as to be visible from above. The number must contrast with the background and be in block Arabic numerals at least 18 inches (45.7 cm) high for vessels over 65 ft (19.8 m) long and at least 10 inches (25.4 cm) high for vessels between 25 and 65 ft (7.6 and 19.8 m) in length. The length of a vessel for purposes of this section is the length set forth in USCG records or in state records, if no USCG record exists. (2) Maintenance of numbers. The operator of a vessel engaged in commercial fishing for groundfish must keep the identifying markings required by paragraph (a)(1) of this section clearly legible and in good repair, and must ensure that no part of the vessel, its rigging, or its fishing gear obstructs the view of the official number from an enforcement vessel or aircraft. (3) Commercial passenger vessels. This section does not apply to vessels carrying fishing parties on a per-capita basis or by charter. (b) Gear identification. Gear identification requirements specific to fisheries using fixed gear (limited entry and open access) are described at § 660.219, subpart E and § 660.319, subpart F. | |||||
| 50:50:13.0.1.1.1.3.1.12 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 660 | PART 660—FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES | C | Subpart C—West Coast Groundfish Fisheries | § 660.21 Seabird Avoidance Program. | FWS | [80 FR 71980, Nov. 18, 2015, as amended at 84 FR 67678, Dec. 11, 2019] | This section contains the requirements of the Seabird Avoidance Program. (a) Purpose. The purpose of the Seabird Avoidance Program is to minimize interactions between fishing gear and seabird species, including short-tailed albatross ( Phoebastria albatrus ). (b) Applicability. The requirements specified in paragraph (c) of this section apply to the following fishing vessels when operating within the EEZ north of 36° N latitude: (1) Vessels greater than or equal to 26 ft (7.9 m) LOA engaged in commercial fishing for groundfish with bottom longline gear, including snap gear, as defined under “Fishing gear” in § 660.11, including those operating under the gear switching provisions of the Limited Entry Trawl Fishery, Shorebased IFQ Program as specified in § 660.140(k), or those operating under the limited entry fixed gear fishery in subpart E or under the open access fishery in subpart F of this part, except as provided in paragraphs (b)(2) of this section. (2) Exemptions. The requirements specified in paragraph (c) of this section do not apply to Pacific Coast treaty Indian fisheries, as described at § 660.50, or to anglers engaged in recreational fishing for groundfish, as described in Subpart G of this Part. (c) Seabird Avoidance Requirements —(1) General requirements. The operator of a vessel described in paragraph (b)(1) of this section must comply with the following requirements, unless operating under the provisions of paragraph (c)(3) of this section: (i) Gear onboard. Have onboard the vessel seabird avoidance gear meeting the material standards specified in paragraph (c)(1)(iv) of this section and in accordance to the vessel size and gear type specific requirements as specified in paragraph (c)(2) of this section. (ii) Gear inspection. Upon request by an authorized officer or observer, make the seabird avoidance gear available for inspection. (iii) Gear use. Use seabird avoidance gear as specified in paragraph (c)(2) of this section that meets the material standards specified in parag… | ||||
| 50:50:13.0.1.1.1.3.1.13 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 660 | PART 660—FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES | C | Subpart C—West Coast Groundfish Fisheries | § 660.24 Limited entry and open access fisheries. | FWS | (a) General. All commercial fishing for groundfish must be conducted in accordance with the regulations governing limited entry and open access fisheries, except such fishing by treaty Indian tribes as may be separately provided for. (b) [Reserved] | |||||
| 50:50:13.0.1.1.1.3.1.14 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 660 | PART 660—FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES | C | Subpart C—West Coast Groundfish Fisheries | § 660.25 Permits. | FWS | [75 FR 60897, Oct. 1, 2010, as amended at 75 FR 78381, Dec. 15, 2010; 76 FR 53835, Aug. 30, 2011; 76 FR 74734, Dec. 1, 2011; 77 FR 55155, Sept. 7, 2012; 78 FR 68767, Nov. 15, 2013; 78 FR 75278, Dec. 11, 2013; 81 FR 84426, Nov. 23, 2016; 83 FR 62276, Dec. 3, 2018; 85 FR 37029, June 19, 2020; 85 FR 68003, Oct. 27, 2020; 86 FR 26442, May 14, 2021; 86 FR 58813, Oct. 25, 2021; 86 FR 59875, Oct. 29, 2021; 86 FR 70422, Dec. 10, 2021; 87 FR 77014, Dec. 16, 2022; 87 FR 77005, Dec. 16, 2022; 88 FR 81358, Nov. 22, 2023; 89 FR 101522, 101524, Dec. 16, 2024] | (a) General. Each of the permits or licenses in this section has different conditions or privileges as part of the permit or license. The permits or licenses in this section confer a conditional privilege of participating in the Pacific coast groundfish fishery, in accordance with Federal regulations in 50 CFR part 660, subparts C through G. (b) Limited entry permit —(1) Eligibility and registration —(i) General. In order for a vessel to be used to fish in the limited entry fishery, the vessel owner must hold a limited entry permit and, through SFD, must register that vessel for use with a limited entry permit. When participating in the limited entry fishery, a vessel is authorized to fish with the gear type endorsed on the limited entry permit registered for use with that vessel, except that the MS permit does not have a gear endorsement. There are three types of gear endorsements: Trawl, longline, and pot (or trap). All limited entry permits, except the MS permit, have size endorsements; a vessel registered for use with a limited entry permit must comply with the vessel size requirements of this subpart. A sablefish endorsement is also required for a vessel to be used to fish in the primary season for the limited entry fixed gear sablefish fishery, north of 36° N. lat. Certain limited entry permits will also have endorsements required for participation in a specific fishery, such as the MS/CV endorsement and the C/P endorsement. (ii) Eligibility. Only a person eligible to own a documented vessel under the terms of 46 U.S.C. 12113 (a) may be issued or may hold a limited entry permit. (iii) Registration. Limited entry permits will normally be registered for use with a particular vessel at the time the permit is issued, renewed, or replaced. If the permit will be used with a vessel other than the one registered on the permit, the permit owner must register that permit for use with the new vessel through the SFD. The reissued permit must be placed on board the new vessel in order for the vessel to be u… | ||||
| 50:50:13.0.1.1.1.3.1.15 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 660 | PART 660—FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES | C | Subpart C—West Coast Groundfish Fisheries | § 660.30 Compensation with fish for collecting resource information—EFPs. | FWS | [75 FR 60897, Oct. 1, 2010, as amended at 76 FR 27529, May 11, 2011] | In addition to the reasons stated in § 600.745(b)(1) of this chapter, an EFP may be issued under this subpart C for the purpose of compensating the owner or operator of a vessel for collecting resource information according to a protocol approved by NMFS. NMFS may issue an EFP allowing a vessel to retain fish as compensation in excess of trip limits or to be exempt from other specified management measures for the Pacific coast groundfish fishery. (a) Compensation EFP for vessels under contract with NMFS to conduct a resource survey. NMFS may issue an EFP to the owner or operator of a vessel that conducted a resource survey according to a contract with NMFS. A vessel's total compensation from all sources (in terms of dollars or amount of fish, including fish from survey samples or compensation fish) will be determined through normal Federal procurement procedures. The compensation EFP will specify the maximum amount or value of fish the vessel may take and retain after the resource survey is completed. (1) Competitive offers. NMFS may initiate a competitive solicitation (request for proposals or RFP) to select vessels to conduct resource surveys that use fish as full or partial compensation, following normal Federal procurement procedures. (2) Consultation and approval. At a Council meeting, NMFS will consult with the Council and receive public comment on upcoming resource surveys to be conducted if groundfish could be used as whole or partial compensation. Generally, compensation fish would be similar to surveyed species, but there may be reasons to provide payment with healthier, more abundant, less restricted stocks, or more easily targeted species. For example, NMFS may decline to pay a vessel with species that are, or are expected to be, overfished, or that are subject to overfishing, or that are unavoidably caught with species that are overfished or subject to overfishing. NMFS may also consider levels of discards, bycatch, and other factors. If the Council does not approve providing whole or partia… | ||||
| 50:50:13.0.1.1.1.3.1.16 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 660 | PART 660—FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES | C | Subpart C—West Coast Groundfish Fisheries | § 660.40 Rebuilding plans. | FWS | [82 FR 9638, Feb. 7, 2017, as amended at 83 FR 63991, Dec. 12, 2018; 85 FR 79892, Dec. 11, 2020; 89 FR 101525, Dec. 16, 2024] | For each overfished groundfish stock with an approved rebuilding plan, this section contains the standards to be used to establish annual or biennial ACLs, specifically the target date for rebuilding the stock to its MSY level and the harvest control rule to be used to rebuild the stock. The harvest control rule may be expressed as a “Spawning Potential Ratio” or “SPR” harvest rate. (a) Yelloweye rockfish. Yelloweye rockfish was declared overfished in 2002. The target year for rebuilding the yelloweye rockfish stock to B MSY is 2029. The harvest control rule to be used to rebuild the yelloweye rockfish stock is an annual SPR harvest rate of 65.0 percent. (b) Quillback rockfish off California. Quillback rockfish off California was declared overfished in 2023. The target year for rebuilding the California quillback rockfish stock to B MSY is 2060. The harvest control rule to be used to rebuild the quillback rockfish stock off California is the ABC Rule (P* 0.45). | ||||
| 50:50:13.0.1.1.1.3.1.17 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 660 | PART 660—FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES | C | Subpart C—West Coast Groundfish Fisheries | § 660.50 Pacific Coast treaty Indian fisheries. | FWS | [75 FR 60897, Oct. 1, 2010, as amended at 75 FR 75421, Dec. 3, 2010; 75 FR 82300, Dec. 30, 2010; 76 FR 27529, May 11, 2011; 76 FR 28903, May 19, 2011; 77 FR 28507, May 15, 2012; 78 FR 588, Jan. 3, 2013; 78 FR 26532, May 7, 2013; 79 FR 27204, May 13, 2014; 80 FR 12572, Mar. 10, 2015; 80 FR 27593, May 14, 2015; 81 FR 30208, May 16, 2016; 81 FR 36807, June 8, 2016; 82 FR 9639, Feb. 7, 2017; 82 FR 21321, May 8, 2017; 83 FR 22405, May 15, 2018; 83 FR 63991, Dec. 12, 2018; 84 FR 20584, May 10, 2019; 85 FR 36812, June 18, 2020; 85 FR 79893, Dec. 11, 2020; 86 FR 10867, Feb. 23, 2021; 86 FR 32809, June 23, 2021; 87 FR 33441, June 2, 2022; 87 FR 77015, Dec. 16, 2022; 88 FR 34787, May 31, 2023; 88 FR 89315, Dec. 27, 2023; 89 FR 52403, June 24, 2024; 89 FR 101525, Dec. 16, 2024; 90 FR 27266, June 26, 2025; 91 FR 2717, Jan. 22, 2026] | (a) Pacific Coast treaty Indian tribes have treaty rights. Pacific Coast treaty Indian tribes have treaty rights to harvest groundfish in their usual and accustomed fishing areas in U.S. waters. In 1994, the United States formally recognized that the four Washington coastal treaty Indian tribes (Makah, Quileute, Hoh, and Quinault) have treaty rights to fish for groundfish in the Pacific Ocean, and concluded that, in general terms, the quantification of those rights is 50 percent of the harvestable surplus of groundfish that pass through the tribes U&A fishing areas. (b) Pacific Coast treaty Indian tribes. For the purposes of this part, Pacific Coast treaty Indian tribes means the Hoh Indian Tribe, Makah Indian Tribe, Quileute Indian Tribe and the Quinault Indian Nation. (c) Usual and accustomed fishing areas or U&A fishing areas. The Pacific Coast treaty Indian tribes' U&A fishing areas within the EEZ are set out in § 660.4. (d) Procedures. The rights referred to in paragraph (a) of this section will be implemented by the Secretary, after consideration of the tribal request, the recommendation of the Council, and the comments of the public. The rights will be implemented either through an allocation or set-aside of fish that will be managed by the tribes, or through regulations in this section that will apply specifically to the tribal fisheries. (1) Tribal allocations, set-asides, and regulations. An allocation, set-aside or a regulation specific to the tribes shall be initiated by a written request from a Pacific Coast treaty Indian tribe to the Regional Administrator, prior to the first Council meeting in which biennial harvest specifications and management measures are discussed for an upcoming biennial management period. The Secretary generally will announce the annual tribal allocations at the same time as the announcement of the harvest specifications. (2) Co-management. The Secretary recognizes the sovereign status and co-manager role of Indian tribes over shared Federal and tribal fisher… | ||||
| 50:50:13.0.1.1.1.3.1.18 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 660 | PART 660—FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES | C | Subpart C—West Coast Groundfish Fisheries | § 660.55 Allocations. | FWS | [75 FR 60897, Oct. 1, 2010, as amended at 75 FR 78382, Dec. 15, 2010; 75 FR 82300, Dec. 30, 2010; 76 FR 27529, May 11, 2011; 76 FR 53835, Aug. 30, 2011; 76 FR 74737, Dec. 1, 2011; 77 FR 28507, May 15, 2012; 78 FR 588, Jan. 3, 2013; 80 FR 77270, Dec. 14, 2015; 81 FR 84428, Nov. 23, 2016; 82 FR 9639, Feb. 7, 2017; 83 FR 759, Jan. 8, 2018; 83 FR 63991, Dec. 12, 2018; 84 FR 68805, Dec. 17, 2019; 87 FR 77015, Dec. 16, 2022; 88 FR 81358, Nov. 22, 2023; 89 FR 101522, 101526, Dec. 16, 2024; 90 FR 15414, Apr. 11, 2025] | (a) General. The opportunity to harvest Pacific Coast groundfish is allocated among participants in the fishery when the ACLs for a given year are established in the biennial harvest specifications. For any stock that has been declared overfished, any formal allocation may be temporarily revised for the duration of the rebuilding period. For certain species, primarily trawl-dominant species, separate allocations for the trawl and non-trawl fishery (which for this purpose includes limited entry fixed gear, directed open access, and recreational fisheries) will be established biennially or annually using the standards and procedures described in Chapter 6 of the PCGFMP. Chapter 6 of the PCGFMP provides the allocation structure and percentages for species allocated between the trawl and non-trawl fisheries. Also, for those species not subject to the trawl and non-trawl allocations specified under Amendment 21 and in paragraph (c)(1) of this section, separate allocations for the limited entry and open access fisheries may be established using the procedures described in Chapters 6 and 11 of the PCGFMP and this subpart. Allocation of sablefish north of 36° N lat. is described in paragraph (h) of this section and in the PCGFMP. Allocation of Pacific whiting is described in paragraph (i) of this section and in the PCGFMP. Allocation of black rockfish is described in paragraph (l) of this section. Allocation of Pacific halibut bycatch is described in paragraph (m) of this section. Allocations not specified in the PCGFMP are established in regulation through the biennial harvest specifications and are listed in Tables 1 a through d and Tables 2 a through d of this subpart. (b) Fishery harvest guidelines and reductions made prior to fishery allocations. Prior to the setting of fishery allocations, the TAC, ACL, or ACT when specified, is reduced by the Pacific Coast treaty Indian Tribal harvest (allocations, set-asides, and estimated harvest under regulations at § 660.50); projected scientific research catch of all gro… | ||||
| 50:50:13.0.1.1.1.3.1.19 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 660 | PART 660—FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES | C | Subpart C—West Coast Groundfish Fisheries | § 660.60 Specifications and management measures. | FWS | [75 FR 60897, Oct. 1, 2010, as amended at 75 FR 78382, Dec. 15, 2010; 75 FR 82301, Dec. 30, 2010; 76 FR 27530, May 11, 2011; 76 FR 53835, Aug. 30, 2011; 76 FR 74738, Dec. 1, 2011; 77 FR 28507, May 15, 2012; 78 FR 588, Jan. 3, 2013; 80 FR 12572, Mar. 10, 2015; 80 FR 22285, Apr. 21, 2015; 80 FR 77271, Dec. 14, 2015; 81 FR 84429, Nov. 23, 2016; 82 FR 9639, Feb. 7, 2017; 82 FR 48658, Oct. 19, 2017; 83 FR 760, Jan. 8, 2018; 83 FR 62276, Dec. 3, 2018; 83 FR 63991, Dec. 12, 2018; 84 FR 63973, Nov. 19, 2019; 84 FR 68806, Dec. 17, 2019; 86 FR 10867, Feb. 23, 2021; 88 FR 52048, Aug. 7, 2023; 88 FR 81358, Nov. 22, 2023; 88 FR 83842, Dec. 1, 2023; 89 FR 101522, 101526, Dec. 16, 2024] | (a) General. NMFS will establish and adjust specifications and management measures biennially or annually and during the fishing year. Management of the Pacific Coast groundfish fishery will be conducted consistent with the standards and procedures in the PCGFMP and other applicable law. The PCGFMP is available from the Regional Administrator or the Council. Regulations under this subpart may be promulgated, removed, or revised during the fishing year. Any such action will be made according to the framework standards and procedures in the PCGFMP and other applicable law, and will be published in the Federal Register. (b) Biennial actions. The Pacific Coast Groundfish fishery is managed on a biennial, calendar year basis. Harvest specifications and management measures will be announced biennially, with the harvest specifications for each species or species group set for two sequential calendar years. In general, management measures are designed to achieve, but not exceed, the specifications, particularly optimum yields (harvest guidelines and quotas), fishery harvest guidelines, commercial harvest guidelines and quotas, limited entry and open access allocations, or other approved fishery allocations, and to protect overfished and depleted stocks. Management measures will be designed to take into account the co-occurrence ratios of target species with overfished species, and will select measures that will minimize bycatch to the extent practicable. (1) Except for Pacific whiting, every biennium, NMFS will implement OFLs, ABCs, and ACLs, if applicable, for each species or species group based on the harvest controls used in the previous biennium (referred to as default harvest control rules) applied to the best available scientific information. The default harvest control rules for each species or species group are listed in the biennial SAFE document. NMFS may implement OFLs, ABCs, and ACLs, if applicable, that vary from the default harvest control rules based on a Council recommendation. (2) [Reserved] (c)… | ||||
| 50:50:13.0.1.1.1.3.1.2 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 660 | PART 660—FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES | C | Subpart C—West Coast Groundfish Fisheries | § 660.11 General definitions. | FWS | [75 FR 60897, Oct. 1, 2010, as amended at 75 FR 78373, Dec. 15, 2010; 76 FR 27529, May 11, 2011; 76 FR 53834, Aug. 30, 2011; 76 FR 74733, Dec. 1, 2011; 78 FR 587, Jan. 3, 2013; 78 FR 68767, Nov. 15, 2013; 78 FR 75278, Dec. 11, 2013; 80 FR 12571, Mar. 10, 2015; 80 FR 22279, Apr. 21, 2015; 80 FR 71980, Nov. 18, 2015; 80 FR 77270, Dec. 14, 2015; 81 FR 36807, June 8, 2016; 81 FR 84425, Nov. 23, 2016; 82 FR 9638, Feb. 7, 2017; 82 FR 60569, Dec. 21, 2017; 83 FR 62275, Dec. 3, 2018; 83 FR 63990, Dec. 12, 2018; 84 FR 49961, Sept. 24, 2019; 84 FR 63972, Nov. 19, 2019; 85 FR 35600, June 11, 2020; 85 FR 79892, Dec. 11, 2020; 86 FR 10867, Feb. 23, 2021; 87 FR 59728, Oct. 3, 2022; 87 FR 77014, Dec. 16, 2022; 88 FR 83840, Dec. 1, 2023; 89 FR 101522, Dec. 16, 2024; 90 FR 15414, Apr. 11, 2025] | These definitions are specific to the fisheries covered in subparts C through G of this part. Acceptable Biological Catch (ABC) means a harvest specification that is set below the overfishing limit to account for scientific uncertainty in the estimate of OFL, and other scientific uncertainty. Active sampling unit means the portion of the groundfish fleet in which an observer coverage plan is being applied. Address of Record means the business address a person has provided to NMFS for NMFS use in providing notice of agency actions and other business with that person. Allocation. ( See § 600.10 of this chapter) Annual Catch Limit (ACL) is a harvest specification set equal to or below the ABC threshold in consideration of conservation objectives, socioeconomic concerns, management uncertainty and other factors. The ACL is a harvest limit that includes all sources of fishing-related mortality including landings, discard mortality, research catches, and catches in exempted fishing permit activities. Sector-specific annual catch limits can be specified, especially in cases where a sector has a formal, long-term allocation of the harvestable surplus of a stock or stock complex. Annual Catch Target (ACT) is a management target set below the annual catch limit and may be used as an accountability measure in cases where there is great uncertainty in inseason catch monitoring to ensure against exceeding an annual catch limit. Since the annual catch target is a target and not a limit it can be used in lieu of harvest guidelines or strategically to accomplish other management objectives. Sector-specific annual catch targets can also be specified to accomplish management objectives. Artificial lure means any manufactured or man-made non-scented/non-flavored (regardless if scent or flavor is added in the manufacturing process or added afterwards) device complete with hooks, intended to attract fish. Artificial lures include, but are not limited to: spoons, spinners, artificial flies, and plugs. Artificial lures a… | ||||
| 50:50:13.0.1.1.1.3.1.20 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 660 | PART 660—FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES | C | Subpart C—West Coast Groundfish Fisheries | § 660.65 Groundfish harvest specifications. | FWS | [89 FR 101527, Dec. 16, 2024] | Harvest specifications include OFLs, ABCs, and the designation of OYs and ACLs. Management measures necessary to keep catch within the ACL include ACTs, HGs, or quotas for species that need individual management, the allocation of fishery HGs between the trawl and non-trawl segments of the fishery, and the allocation of commercial HGs between the open access and limited entry segments of the fishery. These specifications account for fish caught in state ocean waters (0-3 nm (0-5.6 km) offshore), though that fishing activity is governed by the States of Washington, Oregon, and California respectively. Catch of a stock in State waters is taken off the top of the harvest specifications for the stock in the EEZ (3-200 nm (5.6-370.4 km) offshore). Harvest specifications are provided in tables 1a through 2d of this subpart. | ||||
| 50:50:13.0.1.1.1.3.1.21 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 660 | PART 660—FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES | C | Subpart C—West Coast Groundfish Fisheries | § 660.70 Groundfish conservation areas. | FWS | [71 FR 78663, Dec. 29, 2006, as amended at 72 FR 53167, Sept. 18, 2007; 74 FR 9893, Mar. 6, 2009. Redesignated at 75 FR 60995, Oct. 1, 2010; 76 FR 53835, Aug. 30, 2011; 82 FR 9640, Feb. 7, 2017; 84 FR 63973, Nov. 19, 2019; 88 FR 83842, Dec. 1, 2023; 89 FR 101527, Dec. 16, 2024; 90 FR 57719, Dec. 12, 2025] | (a) General. Groundfish conservation area (GCA) is defined in § 660.11. This section defines GCAs whose shapes are not exclusively defined by boundary lines approximating depth contours found in §§ 660.71 through 660.74 or commonly used geographic coordinates at § 660.11. Fishing activity that is prohibited or permitted within a particular GCA is detailed at subparts C through G of part 660. (b) North Coast Recreational Yelloweye Rockfish Conservation Area. The North Coast Recreational Yelloweye Rockfish Conservation Area (YRCA) is a C-shaped area off the northern Washington coast intended to protect yelloweye rockfish. The North Coast Recreational YRCA is defined by straight lines connecting the following specific latitude and longitude coordinates in the order listed: (1) 48°18.00′ N. lat.; 125°18.00′ W. long.; (2) 48°18.00′ N. lat.; 124°59.00′ W. long.; (3) 48°11.00′ N. lat.; 124°59.00′ W. long.; (4) 48°11.00′ N. lat.; 125°11.00′ W. long.; (5) 48°04.00′ N. lat.; 125°11.00′ W. long.; (6) 48°04.00′ N. lat.; 124°59.00′ W. long.; (7) 48°00.00′ N. lat.; 124°59.00′ W. long.; (8) 48°00.00′ N. lat.; 125°18.00′ W. long.; and connecting back to 48°18.00′ N. lat.; 125°18.00′ W. long. (c) North Coast Commercial Yelloweye Rockfish Conservation Area. The North Coast Commercial Yelloweye Rockfish Conservation Area (YRCA) is an area off the northern Washington coast, overlapping the northern part of North Coast Recreational YRCA, intended to protect yelloweye rockfish. The North Coast Commercial YRCA is defined by straight lines connecting the following specific latitude and longitude coordinates in the order listed: (1) 48°11.77′ N. lat., 125°13.03′ W. long.; (2) 48°16.43′ N. lat., 125°07.55′ W. long.; (3) 48°14.72′ N. lat., 125°01.84′ W. long.; (4) 48°13.36′ N. lat., 125°03.20′ W. long.; (5) 48°12.74′ N. lat., 125°05.83′ W. long.; (6) 48°11.55′ N. lat., 125°04.99′ W. long.; (7) 48°09.96′ N. lat., 125°06.63′ W. long.; (8) 48°09.68′ N. lat., 125°08.75′ W. long.; and connecting back to 48°11.77′ N. la… | ||||
| 50:50:13.0.1.1.1.3.1.22 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 660 | PART 660—FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES | C | Subpart C—West Coast Groundfish Fisheries | § 660.71 Latitude/longitude coordinates defining the 10-fm (18-m) through 40-fm (73-m) depth contours. | FWS | [69 FR 77042, Dec. 23, 2004, as amended at 70 FR 16149, Mar. 30, 2005; 71 FR 8498, Feb. 17, 2006; 71 FR 78665, Dec. 29, 2006; 72 FR 13045, Mar. 20, 2007; 74 FR 9893, Mar. 6, 2009. Redesignated at 75 FR 60995, Oct. 1, 2010; 76 FR 27530, May 11, 2011; 77 FR 55155, Sept. 7, 2012; 82 FR 9640, Feb. 7, 2017; 83 FR 63991, Dec. 12, 2018; 84 FR 63974, Nov. 19, 2019; 85 FR 79893, Dec. 11, 2020; 87 FR 77015, Dec. 16, 2022; 88 FR 12867, Mar. 1, 2023] | Boundaries for some GCAs are defined by straight lines connecting a series of latitude/longitude coordinates. This section provides coordinates for the 10-fm (18-m) through 40-fm (73-m) depth contours. (a) The 10-fm (18-m) depth contour between the U.S. border with Canada and 46°16′ N. lat. is defined by straight lines connecting all of the following points in the order stated: (1) 48°23.80′ N. lat., 124°44.18′ W. long.; (2) 48°23.60′ N. lat., 124°44.80′ W. long.; (3) 48°23.45′ N. lat., 124°44.80′ W. long.; (4) 48°23.30′ N. lat., 124°44.20′ W. long.; (5) 48°22.20′ N. lat., 124°44.30′ W. long.; (6) 48°20.25′ N. lat., 124°42.20′ W. long.; (7) 48°12.80′ N. lat., 124°43.10′ W. long.; (8) 48°11.10′ N. lat., 124°46.50′ W. long.; (9) 48°10.00′ N. lat., 124°46.50′ W. long.; (10) 48°08.50′ N. lat., 124°44.20′ W. long.; (11) 47°59.40′ N. lat., 124°42.50′ W. long.; (12) 47°52.60′ N. lat., 124°38.80′ W. long.; (13) 47°51.50′ N. lat., 124°34.60′ W. long.; (14) 47°39.80′ N. lat., 124°28.10′ W. long.; (15) 47°31.70′ N. lat., 124°26.30′ W. long.; (16) 47°25.20′ N. lat., 124°24.80′ W. long.; (17) 47°09.80′ N. lat., 124°15.20′ W. long.; (18) 46°54.40′ N. lat., 124°14.80′ W. long.; (19) 46°48.30′ N. lat., 124°10.25′ W. long.; (20) 46°38.17′ N. lat., 124°10.30′ W. long.; (21) 46°27.20′ N. lat., 124°06.50′ W. long.; and (22) 46°16.00′ N. lat., 124°10.00′ W. long. (b) The 20-fm (37-m) depth contour between the U.S. border with Canada and 42° N. lat. is defined by straight lines connecting all of the following points in the order stated: (1) 48°23.90′ N. lat., 124°44.20′ W. long.; (2) 48°23.60′ N. lat., 124°44.90′ W. long.; (3) 48°18.60′ N. lat., 124°43.60′ W. long.; (4) 48°18.60′ N. lat., 124°48.20′ W. long.; (5) 48°10.00′ N. lat., 124°48.80′ W. long.; (6) 48°02.40′ N. lat., 124°49.30′ W. long.; (7) 47°37.60′ N. lat., 124°34.30′ W. long.; (8) 47°31.70′ N. lat., 124°32.40′ W. long.; (9) 47°17.90′ N. lat., 124°25.00′ W. long.; (10) 46°58.80′ N. lat., 124°18.30′ W. long.; (11) 46°47.40′ N. lat., 124°12.… | ||||
| 50:50:13.0.1.1.1.3.1.23 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 660 | PART 660—FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES | C | Subpart C—West Coast Groundfish Fisheries | § 660.72 Latitude/longitude coordinates defining the 50 fm (91 m) through 75 fm (137 m) depth contours. | FWS | [69 FR 77051, Dec. 23, 2004, as amended at 71 FR 8500, Feb. 17, 2006; 71 FR 78672, Dec. 29, 2006; 74 FR 9898, Mar. 6, 2009. Redesignated at 75 FR 60995, Oct. 1, 2010; 76 FR 27530, May 11, 2011; 76 FR 54714, Sept. 2, 2011; 78 FR 589, Jan. 3, 2013; 80 FR 12573, Mar. 10, 2015; 82 FR 9640, Feb. 7, 2017; 83 FR 63992, Dec. 12, 2018; 84 FR 63974, Nov. 19, 2019; 87 FR 77016, Dec. 16, 2022; 88 FR 83845, Dec. 1, 2023; 89 FR 101527, Dec. 16, 2024] | Boundaries for some GCAs are defined by straight lines connecting a series of latitude/longitude coordinates. This section provides coordinates for the 50 fm (91 m) through 75 fm (137 m) depth contours. (a) The 50-fm (91-m) depth contour between the U.S. border with Canada and the U.S. border with Mexico is defined by straight lines connecting all of the following points in the order stated: (1) 48°22.15′ N. lat., 124°43.15′ W. long.; (2) 48°22.15′ N. lat., 124°49.10′ W. long.; (3) 48°20.03′ N. lat., 124°51.18′ W. long.; (4) 48°16.61′ N. lat., 124°53.72′ W. long.; (5) 48°14.68′ N. lat., 124°54.50′ W. long.; (6) 48°12.02′ N. lat., 124°55.29′ W. long.; (7) 48°10.00′ N. lat., 124°55.68′ W. long.; (8) 48°03.14′ N. lat., 124°57.02′ W. long.; (9) 47°56.05′ N. lat., 124°55.60′ W. long.; (10) 47°52.58′ N. lat., 124°54.00′ W. long.; (11) 47°50.18′ N. lat., 124°52.36′ W. long.; (12) 47°45.34′ N. lat., 124°51.07′ W. long.; (13) 47°40.96′ N. lat., 124°48.84′ W. long.; (14) 47°34.59′ N. lat., 124°46.24′ W. long.; (15) 47°27.86′ N. lat., 124°42.12′ W. long.; (16) 47°22.34′ N. lat., 124°39.43′ W. long.; (17) 47°17.66′ N. lat., 124°38.75′ W. long.; (18) 47°06.25′ N. lat., 124°39.74′ W. long.; (19) 47°00.43′ N. lat., 124°38.01′ W. long.; (20) 46°52.00′ N. lat., 124°32.44′ W. long.; (21) 46°38.17′ N. lat., 124°26.66′ W. long.; (22) 46°35.41′ N. lat., 124°25.51′ W. long.; (23) 46°25.43′ N. lat., 124°23.46′ W. long.; (24) 46°16.00′ N. lat., 124°17.32′ W. long.; (25) 45°50.88′ N. lat., 124°09.68′ W. long.; (26) 45°46.00′ N. lat., 124°09.39′ W. long.; (27) 45°20.25′ N. lat., 124°07.34′ W. long.; (28) 45°12.99′ N. lat., 124°06.71′ W. long.; (29) 45°03.83′ N. lat., 124°09.17′ W. long.; (30) 44°52.48′ N. lat., 124°11.22′ W. long.; (31) 44°42.41′ N. lat., 124°19.70′ W. long.; (32) 44°38.80′ N. lat., 124°26.58′ W. long.; (33) 44°23.39′ N. lat., 124°31.70′ W. long.; (34) 44°20.30′ N. lat., 124°38.72′ W. long.; (35) 44°13.52′ N. lat., 124°40.45′ W. long.; (36) 44°18.80′ N. lat., 124°35.48′ W. long.; (37)… | ||||
| 50:50:13.0.1.1.1.3.1.24 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 660 | PART 660—FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES | C | Subpart C—West Coast Groundfish Fisheries | § 660.73 Latitude/longitude coordinates defining the 100 fm (183 m) through 150 fm (274 m) depth contours. | FWS | [69 FR 77059, Dec. 23, 2004; 70 FR 13119, Mar. 18, 2005, as amended at 70 FR 16149, Mar. 30, 2005; 71 FR 8500, Feb. 17, 2006; 71 FR 78678, Dec. 29, 2006; 74 FR 9905, Mar. 6, 2009. Redesignated at 75 FR 60995, Oct. 1, 2010; 76 FR 27531, May 11, 2011; 76 FR 54714, Sept. 2, 2011; 78 FR 589, Jan. 3, 2013; 80 FR 12573, Mar. 10, 2015; 82 FR 9640, Feb. 7, 2017; 83 FR 63992, Dec. 12, 2018; 83 FR 66639, Dec. 27, 2018; 84 FR 63974, Nov. 19, 2019; 85 FR 79893, Dec. 11, 2020; 86 FR 14381, Mar. 16, 2021; 87 FR 77017, Dec. 16, 2022; 88 FR 83846, Dec. 1, 2023] | Boundaries for some GCAs are defined by straight lines connecting a series of latitude/longitude coordinates. This section provides coordinates for the 100 fm (183 m) through 150 fm (274 m) depth contours. (a) The 100-fm (183-m) depth contour used between the U.S. border with Canada and the U.S. border with Mexico is defined by straight lines connecting all of the following points in the order stated: (1) 48°15.00′ N. lat., 125°41.00′ W. long.; (2) 48°14.00′ N. lat., 125°36.00′ W. long.; (3) 48°10.00′ N. lat., 125°40.00′ W. long.; (4) 48°09.50′ N. lat., 125°40.50′ W. long.; (5) 48°08.00′ N. lat., 125°38.00′ W. long.; (6) 48°05.00′ N. lat., 125°37.25′ W. long.; (7) 48°02.60′ N. lat., 125°34.70′ W. long.; (8) 47°59.00′ N. lat., 125°34.00′ W. long.; (9) 47°57.26′ N. lat., 125°29.82′ W. long.; (10) 47°59.87′ N. lat., 125°25.81′ W. long.; (11) 48°01.80′ N. lat., 125°24.53′ W. long.; (12) 48°02.08′ N. lat., 125°22.98′ W. long.; (13) 48°02.97′ N. lat., 125°22.89′ W. long.; (14) 48°04.47′ N. lat., 125°21.75′ W. long.; (15) 48°06.11′ N. lat., 125°19.33′ W. long.; (16) 48°07.95′ N. lat., 125°18.55′ W. long.; (17) 48°09.00′ N. lat., 125°18.00′ W. long.; (18) 48°10.00′ N. lat., 125°17.81′ W. long.; (19) 48°11.31′ N. lat., 125°17.55′ W. long.; (20) 48°14.60′ N. lat., 125°13.46′ W. long.; (21) 48°16.67′ N. lat., 125°14.34′ W. long.; (22) 48°18.73′ N. lat., 125°14.41′ W. long.; (23) 48°19.67′ N. lat., 125°13.70′ W. long.; (24) 48°19.70′ N. lat., 125°11.13′ W. long.; (25) 48°22.95′ N. lat., 125°10.79′ W. long.; (26) 48°21.61′ N. lat., 125°02.54′ W. long.; (27) 48°23.00′ N. lat., 124°49.34′ W. long.; (28) 48°17.00′ N. lat., 124°56.50′ W. long.; (29) 48°06.00′ N. lat., 125°00.00′ W. long.; (30) 48°04.62′ N. lat., 125°01.73′ W. long.; (31) 48°04.84′ N. lat., 125°04.03′ W. long.; (32) 48°06.41′ N. lat., 125°06.51′ W. long.; (33) 48°06.00′ N. lat., 125°08.00′ W. long.; (34) 48°07.08′ N. lat., 125°09.34′ W. long.; (35) 48°07.28′ N. lat., 125°11.14′ W. long.; (36) 48°03.45′ N. lat., 125°16.66′ W. lo… | ||||
| 50:50:13.0.1.1.1.3.1.25 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 660 | PART 660—FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES | C | Subpart C—West Coast Groundfish Fisheries | § 660.74 Latitude/longitude coordinates defining the 180 fm (329 m) through 250 fm (457 m) depth contours. | FWS | [69 FR 77069, Dec. 23, 2004; 70 FR 13119, Mar. 18, 2005, as amended at 70 FR 16149, Mar. 30, 2005; 71 FR 78687, Dec. 29, 2006; 72 FR 13045, Mar. 20, 2007; 72 FR 53167, Sept. 18, 2007; 74 FR 9911, Mar. 6, 2009. Redesignated at 75 FR 60995, Oct. 1, 2010; 76 FR 27531, May 11, 2011; 76 FR 54714, Sept. 2, 2011; 78 FR 589, Jan. 3, 2013; 80 FR 12573, Mar. 10, 2015; 84 FR 63974, Nov. 19, 2019; 87 FR 77020, Dec. 16, 2022; 88 FR 12867, Mar. 1, 2023] | Boundaries for some GCAs are defined by straight lines connecting a series of latitude/longitude coordinates. This section provides coordinates for the 180 fm (329 m) through 250 fm (457 m) depth contours. (a) The 180-fm (329-m) depth contour used between the U.S. border with Canada and the U.S. border with Mexico is defined by straight lines connecting all of the following points in the order stated: (1) 48°14.82′ N. lat., 125°41.61′ W. long.; (2) 48°12.86′ N. lat., 125°37.95′ W. long.; (3) 48°11.28′ N. lat., 125°39.67′ W. long.; (4) 48°10.13′ N. lat., 125°42.62′ W. long.; (5) 48°10.00′ N. lat., 125°42.55′ W. long.; (6) 48°08.86′ N. lat., 125°41.92′ W. long.; (7) 48°08.15′ N. lat., 125°44.95′ W. long.; (8) 48°07.18′ N. lat., 125°45.67′ W. long.; (9) 48°05.79′ N. lat., 125°44.64′ W. long.; (10) 48°06.04′ N. lat., 125°41.84′ W. long.; (11) 48°04.26′ N. lat., 125°40.09′ W. long.; (12) 48°04.18′ N. lat., 125°36.94′ W. long.; (13) 48°03.02′ N. lat., 125°36.24′ W. long.; (14) 48°01.75′ N. lat., 125°37.42′ W. long.; (15) 48°01.39′ N. lat., 125°39.42′ W. long.; (16) 47°57.08′ N. lat., 125°36.51′ W. long.; (17) 47°55.20′ N. lat., 125°36.62′ W. long.; (18) 47°54.33′ N. lat., 125°34.98′ W. long.; (19) 47°54.73′ N. lat., 125°31.95′ W. long.; (20) 47°56.39′ N. lat., 125°30.22′ W. long.; (21) 47°55.86′ N. lat., 125°28.54′ W. long.; (22) 47°58.07′ N. lat., 125°25.72′ W. long.; (23) 48°00.81′ N. lat., 125°24.39′ W. long.; (24) 48°01.81′ N. lat., 125°23.76′ W. long.; (25) 48°02.16′ N. lat., 125°22.71′ W. long.; (26) 48°03.46′ N. lat., 125°22.01′ W. long.; (27) 48°04.21′ N. lat., 125°20.40′ W. long.; (28) 48°03.15′ N. lat., 125°19.50′ W. long.; (29) 48°01.92′ N. lat., 125°18.69′ W. long.; (30) 48°00.85′ N. lat., 125°20.02′ W. long.; (31) 48°00.12′ N. lat., 125°20.04′ W. long.; (32) 47°58.18′ N. lat., 125°18.78′ W. long.; (33) 47°58.24′ N. lat., 125°17.26′ W. long.; (34) 47°52.47′ N. lat., 125°15.30′ W. long.; (35) 47°52.13′ N. lat., 125°12.95′ W. long.; (36) 47°50.60′ N. lat., 125°10.65′ W. lo… | ||||
| 50:50:13.0.1.1.1.3.1.26 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 660 | PART 660—FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES | C | Subpart C—West Coast Groundfish Fisheries | § 660.75 Essential Fish Habitat (EFH). | FWS | [71 FR 27416, May 11, 2006. Redesignated at 75 FR 60995, Oct. 1, 2010; 76 FR 53836, Aug. 30, 2011] | Essential fish habitat (EFH) is defined as those waters and substrate necessary to fish for spawning, breeding, feeding or growth to maturity (16 U.S.C. 1802 (10)). EFH for Pacific Coast Groundfish includes all waters and substrate within areas with a depth less than or equal to 3,500 m (1,914 fm) shoreward to the mean higher high water level or the upriver extent of saltwater intrusion (defined as upstream and landward to where ocean-derived salts measure less than 0.5 parts per thousand during the period of average annual low flow). Seamounts in depths greater than 3,500 m (1,914 fm) are also included due to their ecological importance to groundfish. Geographically, EFH for Pacific Coast groundfish includes both a large band of marine waters that extends from the Northern edge of the EEZ at the U.S. border with Canada to the Southern edge of the EEZ at the U.S. border with Mexico, and inland within bays and estuaries. The seaward extent of EFH is consistent with the westward edge of the EEZ for areas approximately north of Cape Mendocino. Approximately south of Cape Mendocino, the 3500 m depth contour and EFH is substantially shoreward of the seaward boundary of the EEZ. There are also numerous discrete areas seaward of the main 3500 m depth contour where the ocean floor rises to depths less than 3500 m and therefore are also EFH. The seaward boundary of EFH and additional areas of EFH are defined by straight lines connecting a series of latitude and longitude coordinates in §§ 660.76 through 660.79. (a) The seaward boundary of EFH, with the exception of the areas in paragraphs (b) through (qq), is bounded by the EEZ combined with a straight line connecting all of the following points in the order stated: (1) 40°18.17′ N. lat., 128°46.72′ W. long.; (2) 40°17.33′ N. lat., 125°58.62′ W. long.; (3) 39°59.10′ N. lat., 125°44.13′ W. long.; (4) 39°44.99′ N. lat., 125°41.63′ W. long.; (5) 39°29.98′ N. lat., 125°23.86′ W. long.; (6) 39°08.46′ N. lat., 125°38.17′ W. long.; (7) 38°58.71′ N. lat., 125°22.33′ W. lo… | ||||
| 50:50:13.0.1.1.1.3.1.27 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 660 | PART 660—FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES | C | Subpart C—West Coast Groundfish Fisheries | § 660.76 Coastwide EFHCAs. | FWS | [84 FR 63974, Nov. 19, 2019] | (a) General. EFHCAs are defined at § 660.11. The boundaries of areas designated as EFHCAs are defined by straight lines connecting a series of latitude and longitude coordinates and other regulatory boundaries. This paragraph provides coordinates outlining the boundaries of the coastwide EFHCA. Coordinates outlining the boundaries of EFHCAs off the coasts of Washington, Oregon, and California are provided in §§ 660.77, 660.78, and 660.79, respectively. Fishing activity that is prohibited or permitted within a particular EFHCA is detailed at subparts C through G of this part. (b) Seaward of the 700-fm (1280-m) contour. This area includes all waters designated as EFH within the West Coast EEZ west of a line approximating the 700-fm (1280-m) depth contour which is defined by straight lines connecting all of the following points in the order stated: (1) 48°06.97′ N lat., 126°02.96′ W long.; (2) 48°00.44′ N lat., 125°54.96′ W long.; (3) 47°55.96′ N lat., 125°46.51′ W long.; (4) 47°47.21′ N lat., 125°43.73′ W long.; (5) 47°42.89′ N lat., 125°49.58′ W long.; (6) 47°38.18′ N lat., 125°37.26′ W long.; (7) 47°32.36′ N lat., 125°32.87′ W long.; (8) 47°29.77′ N lat., 125°26.27′ W long.; (9) 47°28.54′ N lat., 125°18.82′ W long.; (10) 47°19.25′ N lat., 125°17.18′ W long.; (11) 47°08.82′ N lat., 125°10.01′ W long.; (12) 47°04.69′ N lat., 125°03.77′ W long.; (13) 46°48.38′ N lat., 125°18.43′ W long.; (14) 46°41.92′ N lat., 125°17.29′ W long.; (15) 46°27.49′ N lat., 124°54.36′ W long.; (16) 46°14.13′ N lat., 125°02.72′ W long.; (17) 46°09.53′ N lat., 125°04.75′ W long.; (18) 45°46.64′ N lat., 124°54.44′ W long.; (19) 45°40.86′ N lat., 124°55.62′ W long.; (20) 45°36.50′ N lat., 124°51.91′ W long.; (21) 44°55.69′ N lat., 125°08.35′ W long.; (22) 44°49.93′ N lat., 125°01.51′ W long.; (23) 44°46.93′ N lat., 125°02.83′ W long.; (24) 44°41.96′ N lat., 125°10.64′ W long.; (25) 44°28.31′ N lat., 125°11.42′ W long.; (26) 43°58.37′ N lat., 125°02.93′ W long.; (27) 43°52.74′ N lat., 125°05.58′ W long.; (28) … | ||||
| 50:50:13.0.1.1.1.3.1.28 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 660 | PART 660—FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES | C | Subpart C—West Coast Groundfish Fisheries | § 660.77 EFHCAs off the Coast of Washington. | FWS | [84 FR 63975, Nov. 19, 2019] | (a) General. Boundary line coordinates for EFHCAs off Washington are provided in this section. Fishing activity that is prohibited or permitted within the EEZ in a particular area designated as a groundfish EFHCAs is detailed at §§ 660.12, 660.112, 660.130, 660.212, 660.230, 660.312, 660.330, and 660.360. (b) Olympic 2. The boundary of the Olympic 2 EFHCA is defined by straight lines connecting all of the following points in the order stated and connecting back to 48°21.46′ N lat., 124°51.61′ W long.: (1) 48°21.46′ N lat., 124°51.61′ W long.; (2) 48°17.00′ N lat., 124°57.18′ W long.; (3) 48°06.13′ N lat., 125°00.68′ W long.; (4) 48°06.66′ N lat., 125°06.55′ W long.; (5) 48°08.44′ N lat., 125°14.61′ W long.; (6) 48°22.57′ N lat., 125°09.82′ W long.; (7) 48°21.42′ N lat., 125°03.55′ W long.; (8) 48°22.99′ N lat., 124°59.29′ W long.; and (9) 48°23.89′ N lat., 124°54.37′ W long. (c) Biogenic 1. The boundary of the Biogenic 1 EFHCA is defined by straight lines connecting all of the following points in the order stated and connecting back to 47°29.97′ N lat., 125°20.14′ W long.: (1) 47°29.97′ N lat., 125°20.14′ W long.; (2) 47°30.01′ N lat., 125°30.06′ W long.; (3) 47°40.09′ N lat., 125°50.18′ W long.; (4) 47°47.27′ N lat., 125°50.06′ W long.; (5) 47°47.00′ N lat., 125°24.28′ W long.; (6) 47°39.53′ N lat., 125°10.49′ W long.; and (7) 47°30.31′ N lat., 125°08.81′ W long. (d) Biogenic 2. The boundary of the Biogenic 2 EFHCA is defined by straight lines connecting all of the following points in the order stated and connecting back to 47°08.77′ N lat., 125°00.91′ W long.: (1) 47°08.77′ N lat., 125°00.91′ W long.; (2) 47°08.82′ N lat., 125°10.01′ W long.; (3) 47°20.01′ N lat., 125°10.00′ W long.; and (4) 47°20.00′ N lat., 125°01.25′ W long. (e) Quinault Canyon. The boundary of the Quinault Canyon EFHCA is defined by straight lines connecting all of the following points in the order stated and connecting back to 47°17.00′ N lat., 125°15.63′ W long.: (1) 47°17.00′ N lat., 125°15.63′ W long.;… | ||||
| 50:50:13.0.1.1.1.3.1.29 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 660 | PART 660—FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES | C | Subpart C—West Coast Groundfish Fisheries | § 660.78 EFHCAs off the Coast of Oregon. | FWS | [84 FR 63976, Nov. 19, 2019, as amended at 88 FR 83848, Dec. 1, 2023] | (a) General. Boundary line coordinates for EFHCAs off Oregon are provided in this section. Fishing activity that is prohibited or permitted within the EEZ in a particular area designated as a groundfish EFHCA is detailed at §§ 660.12, 660.112, 660.130, 660.212, 660.230, 660.312, 660.330, and 660.360. (b) Astoria Deep. The boundary of the Astoria Deep EFHCA is defined by straight lines connecting all of the following points in the order stated and connecting back to 46°03.00′ N lat., 124°57.36′ W long.: (1) 46°03.00′ N lat., 124°57.36′ W long.; (2) 46°05.37′ N lat., 125°02.88′ W long.; (3) 46°09.53′ N lat., 125°04.75′ W long.; (4) 46°14.13′ N lat., 125°02.72′ W long.; (5) 46°14.79′ N lat., 125°02.31′ W long.; (6) 46°08.28′ N lat., 125°00.20′ W long.; and (7) 46°05.74′ N lat., 124°55.32′ W long. (c) Thompson Seamount. The boundary of the Thompson Seamount EFHCA is defined by straight lines connecting all of the following points in the order stated and connecting back to 46°06.93′ N lat., 128°39.77′ W long.: (1) 46°06.93′ N lat., 128°39.77′ W long.; (2) 46°06.76′ N lat., 128°39.60′ W long.; (3) 46°07.80′ N lat., 128°39.43′ W long.; (4) 46°08.50′ N lat., 128°34.39′ W long.; (5) 46°06.76′ N lat., 128°29.36′ W long.; (6) 46°03.64′ N lat., 128°28.67′ W long.; (7) 45°59.64′ N lat., 128°31.62′ W long.; (8) 45°56.87′ N lat., 128°33.18′ W long.; (9) 45°53.92′ N lat., 128°39.25′ W long.; (10) 45°54.26′ N lat., 128°43.42′ W long.; (11) 45°56.87′ N lat., 128°45.85′ W long.; (12) 46°00.86′ N lat., 128°46.02′ W long.; (13) 46°03.29′ N lat., 128°44.81′ W long.; and (14) 46°06.24′ N lat., 128°42.90′ W long. (d) Astoria Canyon. The boundary of the Astoria Canyon EFHCA is defined by straight lines connecting all of the following points in the order stated and connecting back to 46°06.48′ N lat., 125°05.46′ W long.: (1) 46°06.48′ N lat., 125°05.46′ W long.; (2) 46°03.00′ N lat., 124°57.36′ W long.; (3) 46°02.28′ N lat., 124°57.66′ W long.; (4) 46°01.92′ N lat., 125°02.46′ W long.; (5) 45°48.72′ N … | ||||
| 50:50:13.0.1.1.1.3.1.3 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 660 | PART 660—FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES | C | Subpart C—West Coast Groundfish Fisheries | § 660.12 General groundfish prohibitions. | FWS | [75 FR 60897, Oct. 1, 2010, as amended at 75 FR 78374, Dec. 15, 2010; 76 FR 27529, May 11, 2011; 76 FR 53834, Aug. 30, 2011; 76 FR 74733, Dec. 1, 2011; 78 FR 587, Jan. 3, 2013; 78 FR 68767, Nov. 15, 2013; 80 FR 22279, Apr. 21, 2015; 80 FR 71980, Nov. 18, 2015; 80 FR 77270, Dec. 14, 2015; 81 FR 36807, June 8, 2016; 81 FR 84425, Nov. 23, 2016; 84 FR 32098, July 5, 2019; 84 FR 63973, Nov. 19, 2019; 86 FR 10867, Feb. 23, 2021; 87 FR 59728, Oct. 3, 2022; 88 FR 81358, Nov. 22, 2023; 88 FR 83840, Dec. 1, 2023; 89 FR 101523, Dec. 16, 2024; 90 FR 57719, Dec. 12, 2025] | In addition to the general prohibitions specified in § 600.725 of this chapter, it is unlawful for any person to: (a) General. (1) Retain any prohibited or protected species caught by means of fishing gear authorized under this subpart, unless otherwise authorized. Except as otherwise authorized, prohibited and protected species must be returned to the sea as soon as practicable with a minimum of injury when caught and brought on board. (2) Falsify or fail to affix and maintain vessel and gear markings as required by § 660.20 or § 660.219, subpart E or § 660.319, subpart F. (3) Fish for groundfish in violation of any terms or conditions attached to an EFP under § 600.745 of this chapter or § 660.30, subpart C of this part. (4) Fish for groundfish using gear not authorized in subparts C through G of this part or in violation of any terms or conditions attached to an EFP under § 660.30, subpart C of this part or part 600 of this chapter. (5) Take and retain, possess, or land more groundfish than specified under § 660.50, § 660.55, § 660.60 of subpart C, or subpart D through G of this part, or under an EFP issued under § 660.30, subpart C of this part, or part 600 of this chapter. (6) Take and retain, possess, or land more than a single cumulative limit of a particular species, per vessel, per applicable cumulative limit period, except for sablefish taken in the primary limited entry, fixed gear sablefish season from a vessel authorized to fish in that season, as described at § 660.231, subpart E. (7) Take and retain, possess, or land groundfish in excess of the landing limit for the open access fishery without having a valid limited entry permit for the vessel affixed with a gear endorsement for the gear used to catch the fish. (8) Fail to sort, prior to the first weighing after offloading, those groundfish species or species groups for which there is a trip limit, size limit, scientific sorting designation, quota, harvest guideline, ACT, ACL or OY, if the vessel fished or landed in an area during a time … | ||||
| 50:50:13.0.1.1.1.3.1.30 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 660 | PART 660—FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES | C | Subpart C—West Coast Groundfish Fisheries | § 660.79 EFHCAs off the Coast of California. | FWS | [84 FR 63979, Nov. 19, 2019, as amended at 88 FR 83848, Dec. 1, 2023] | (a) General. Boundary line coordinates for EFHCA off California are provided in this section. Fishing activity that is prohibited or permitted within the EEZ in a particular area designated as a groundfish EFHCA is detailed at §§ 660.12, 660.112, 660.130, 660.212, 660.230, 660.312, 660.330, and 660.360. (b) Brush Patch. The boundary of the Brush Patch EFHCA is defined by straight lines connecting all of the following points in the order stated and connecting back to 41°51.03′ N lat., 124°48.65′ W long.: (1) 41°51.03′ N lat., 124°48.65′ W long.; (2) 41°51.98′ N lat., 124°51.00′ W long.; (3) 41°53.63′ N lat., 124°53.12′ W long.; (4) 41°55.22′ N lat., 124°54.50′ W long.; (5) 41°57.16′ N lat., 124°54.87′ W long.; (6) 41°59.16′ N lat., 124°52.89′ W long.; (7) 41°58.93′ N lat., 124°51.25′ W long.; (8) 41°57.98′ N lat., 124°50.42′ W long.; (9) 41°54.50′ N lat., 124°49.72′ W long.; (10) 41°52.66′ N lat., 124°47.85′ W long.; and (11) 41°51.24′ N lat., 124°47.23′ W long. (c) Trinidad Canyon. The boundary of the Trinidad Canyon EFHCA is defined by straight lines connecting all of the following points in the order stated and connecting back to 41°07.81′ N lat., 124°51.29′ W long.: (1) 41°07.81′ N lat., 124°51.29′ W long.; (2) 41°14.52′ N lat., 124°52.67′ W long.; (3) 41°17.66′ N lat., 124°54.31′ W long.; (4) 41°18.37′ N lat., 124°45.50′ W long.; (5) 41°17.60′ N lat., 124°43.42′ W long.; and (6) 41°09.44′ N lat., 124°43.11′ W long. (d) Mad River Rough Patch. The boundary of the Mad River Rough Patch EFHCA is defined by straight lines connecting all of the following points in the order stated and connecting back to 40°53.66′ N lat., 124°26.68′ W long.: (1) 40°53.66′ N lat., 124°26.68′ W long.; (2) 40°54.49′ N lat., 124°28.22′ W long.; (3) 40°54.88′ N lat., 124°28.54′ W long.; (4) 40°57.27′ N lat., 124°29.10′ W long.; (5) 40°57.37′ N lat., 124°28.96′ W long.; (6) 40°57.27′ N lat., 124°28.34′ W long.; (7) 40°54.56′ N lat., 124°26.25′ W long.; and (8) 40°54.13′ N lat., 124°26.27′ W long. (e) … | ||||
| 50:50:13.0.1.1.1.3.1.4 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 660 | PART 660—FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES | C | Subpart C—West Coast Groundfish Fisheries | § 660.13 Recordkeeping and reporting. | FWS | [75 FR 60897, Oct. 1, 2010, as amended at 75 FR 78374, Dec. 15, 2010; 76 FR 74733, Dec. 1, 2011; 81 FR 84425, Nov. 23, 2016; 83 FR 62275, Dec. 3, 2018; 83 FR 66637, Dec. 27, 2018; 84 FR 31158, June 28, 2019; 84 FR 32098, July 5, 2019; 85 FR 35600, June 11, 2020; 86 FR 10867, Feb. 23, 2021; 87 FR 59713, 59728, Oct. 3, 2022; 87 FR 74328, Dec. 5, 2022; 88 FR 12867, Mar. 1, 2023; 88 FR 83840, Dec. 1, 2023; 89 FR 101522-101523, Dec. 16, 2024; 90 FR 15414, Apr. 11, 2025] | (a) This subpart recognizes that catch and effort data necessary for implementing the PCGFMP are collected by the States of Washington, Oregon, and California under existing state data collection requirements. (1) Trawl logbook. In the absence of a state trawl logbook requirement based on the port of landing, the authorized representative of the commercial trawl fishing vessel registered to a limited entry permit with a trawl gear endorsement participating in the Shorebased IFQ Program groundfish trawl fisheries must keep and submit a complete and accurate record of fishing activities in the trawl logbook form. The following requirements apply: (i) The authorized representative of the vessel must keep the trawl logbook form on board the vessel while engaged in, or returning from, all Shorebased IFQ Program trips using groundfish trawl gear, and must immediately surrender the logbook form upon demand to NMFS or other authorized officers. (ii) The authorized representative of the vessel must complete the trawl logbook form on all Shorebased IFQ Program trips using groundfish trawl gear, with all available information, except for information not yet ascertainable, prior to entering port. The logbook form must be completed as soon as the information becomes available. The information on the logbook form will include at a minimum: Vessel name, vessel trip start and end dates, crew size, tow start, tow completion, location of tow, average depth of catch, net type, target strategy, and estimated retained pounds by species. (iii) The authorized representative of the vessel must deliver the NMFS copy of the trawl logbook form by mail or in person to NMFS or its agent. The authorized representative of the vessel must transmit the logbook form on or before the 10th day of each month following the month to which the records pertain. (iv) The authorized representative of the vessel responsible for submitting the trawl logbook forms must maintain a copy of all submitted logbooks for up to three years after the fishing a… | ||||
| 50:50:13.0.1.1.1.3.1.5 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 660 | PART 660—FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES | C | Subpart C—West Coast Groundfish Fisheries | § 660.14 Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) requirements. | FWS | [75 FR 60897, Oct. 1, 2010, as amended at 75 FR 78374, Dec. 15, 2010; 76 FR 74733, Dec. 1, 2011; 85 FR 35600, June 11, 2020; 87 FR 11599, Mar. 2, 2022; 88 FR 83841, Dec. 1, 2023; 89 FR 101524, Dec. 16, 2024] | (a) What is a VMS? A VMS consists of a NMFS OLE type-approved mobile transceiver unit that automatically determines the vessel's position and transmits it to a NMFS OLE type-approved communications service provider. The communications service provider receives the transmission and relays it to NMFS OLE. (b) Who is Required to Have a VMS? The following vessels are required to install a NMFS OLE type-approved mobile transceiver unit and to arrange for a NMFS OLE type-approved communications service provider to receive and relay transmissions to NMFS OLE prior to fishing: (1) Any vessel registered for use with a limited entry “A” endorsed permit ( i.e. , not an MS permit) that fishes in state or Federal waters seaward of the baseline from which the territorial sea is measured off the States of Washington, Oregon or California (0-200 nm offshore). (2) Any vessel that uses non-groundfish trawl gear to fish in the EEZ. (3) Any vessel that uses open access gear to take and retain, or possess groundfish in the EEZ or land groundfish taken in the EEZ. (c) How are Mobile Transceiver Units and Communications Service Providers Approved by NMFS OLE? (1) NMFS OLE will publish type-approval specifications for VMS components in the Federal Register or notify the public through other appropriate media. (2) Mobile transceiver unit manufacturers or communication service providers will submit products or services to NMFS OLE for evaluation based on the published specifications. (3) NMFS OLE may publish a list of NMFS OLE type-approved mobile transceiver units and communication service providers for the Pacific Coast groundfish fishery in the Federal Register or notify the public through other appropriate media. As necessary, NMFS OLE may publish amendments to the list of type-approved mobile transceiver units and communication service providers in the Federal Register or through other appropriate media. A list of VMS transceivers that have been type-approved by NMFS OLE may be mailed to the permit owner's address … | ||||
| 50:50:13.0.1.1.1.3.1.6 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 660 | PART 660—FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES | C | Subpart C—West Coast Groundfish Fisheries | § 660.15 Equipment requirements. | FWS | [75 FR 78375, Dec. 15, 2010, as amended at 76 FR 74733, Dec. 1, 2011; 77 FR 55155, Sept. 7, 2012; 81 FR 27008, May 5, 2016; 81 FR 84426, Nov. 23, 2016; 88 FR 81358, Nov. 22, 2023] | (a) Applicability. This section contains the equipment and operational requirements for scales used to weigh catch at sea, scales used to weigh catch at IFQ first receivers, hardware and software for electronic fish tickets, and computer hardware for electronic logbook software. Unless otherwise specified by regulation, the operator or manager must retain, for 3 years, a copy of all records described in this section and make the records available upon request to NMFS staff or an authorized officer. (b) Scales used to weigh fish at sea. Vessel owners, operators, and managers are jointly and severally responsible for their vessel's compliance with the requirements specified in this section. (1) Performance and technical requirements for scales in the MS and C/P Co-op Programs. A scale used to weigh fish in the MS and C/P Co-op Programs must meet the type evaluation, initial inspection, and annual reinspection requirements set forth in 50 CFR 679.28(b)(1) and (2), and must be approved by NMFS to weigh fish at sea. (2) Annual inspection. Once a scale is installed on a vessel and approved by NMFS for use to weigh fish at sea, it must be reinspected annually within 12 months of the date of the most recent inspection to determine if the scale meets all of the applicable performance and technical requirements as described in 50 CFR 679.28(b). (3) Daily testing. Each scale used to weigh fish must be tested at least once each calendar day to ensure that each scale meets the maximum permissible error requirements described at paragraph (b)(4) of this section. (4) Daily at-sea scale tests. To verify that the scale meets the maximum permissible errors specified in this paragraph, each scale used to weigh fish must be tested at least one time during each calendar day when use of the scale is required. The tests must be performed in an accurate and timely manner. (i) Flow or Belt scales —(A) Maximum permissible errors. The maximum permissible errors for the daily at-sea scale test is plus or minus 3 percent… | ||||
| 50:50:13.0.1.1.1.3.1.7 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 660 | PART 660—FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES | C | Subpart C—West Coast Groundfish Fisheries | § 660.16 Groundfish observer program. | FWS | [75 FR 78376, Dec. 15, 2010, as amended at 80 FR 22280, Apr. 21, 2015; 88 FR 81358, Nov. 22, 2023] | (a) General. Vessel owners, operators, and managers are jointly and severally responsible for their vessel's compliance with observer requirements specified in this section and within §§ 660.140, 660.150, 660.160, 660.216, or 660.316. (b) Purpose. The purpose of the Groundfish Observer Program is to collect fisheries data necessary and appropriate for, among other relevant purposes, management, compliance monitoring, and research in the groundfish fisheries and for the conservation of living marine resources. (c) Observer coverage requirements. The following table provides references to the paragraphs in the Pacific coast groundfish subparts that contain fishery specific requirements. Observer coverage required for the Shorebased IFQ Program, MS Co-op Program, or C/P Co-op Program shall not be used to comply with observer coverage requirements for any other Pacific coast groundfish fishery in which that vessel may also participate. (d) Observer certifications and responsibilities. For the Shorebased IFQ Program see § 660.140(h), for the MS Co-op Program see § 660.150(j), and, for the C/P Co-op Program see § 660.160(g). (e) Application process to become an observer provider. See § 660.18. | ||||
| 50:50:13.0.1.1.1.3.1.8 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 660 | PART 660—FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES | C | Subpart C—West Coast Groundfish Fisheries | § 660.17 Catch monitor program. | FWS | [75 FR 78377, Dec. 15, 2010, as amended at 76 FR 53835, Aug. 30, 2011; 76 FR 74734, Dec. 1, 2011; 80 FR 22280, Apr. 21, 2015; 87 FR 54909, Sept. 8, 2022] | (a) General. The first receiver site license holder, the first receiver site license authorized representative, facility operators and managers are jointly and severally responsible for the first receiver being in compliance with catch monitor requirements specified in this section and at § 660.140 (i). (b) Purpose. The purpose of the Catch Monitor Program is to, among other related matters, confirm that the IFQ landings are accurately sorted, weighed and reported on electronic fish tickets. (c) Catch monitor coverage requirements. Catch monitor coverage requirements for the Shorebased IFQ Program are specified at § 660.140(i). (d) Catch monitor certification and responsibilities. Catch monitor certification authorizes an individual to fulfill duties as specified by NMFS while under the employ of a catch monitor provider. (1) Catch monitor training certification. A training certification signifies the successful completion of the training course required to obtain catch monitor certification. This certification expires when the catch monitor has not been deployed and performed sampling duties as required by the Catch Monitor Program Office for a period of time, specified by the Catch Monitor Program, after his or her most recent debriefing. The certification is renewed by successful completion of the training course. (2) Catch Monitor Program annual briefing. Each catch monitor must attend a briefing prior to his or her first deployment within any calendar year subsequent to a year in which a training certification is obtained. To maintain a certification, a catch monitor must successfully complete any required briefing specified by the Catch Monitor Program. All briefing attendance, performance, and conduct standards required by the Catch Monitor Program must be met prior to any deployment. (3) Catch monitor certification requirements. NMFS may certify individuals who: (i) Are employed by a catch monitor provider at the time of the issuance of the certification and qualified, as described at… | ||||
| 50:50:13.0.1.1.1.3.1.9 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 660 | PART 660—FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES | C | Subpart C—West Coast Groundfish Fisheries | § 660.18 Observer and catch monitor provider permits and endorsements. | FWS | [80 FR 22283, Apr. 21, 2015, as amended at 88 FR 81358, Nov. 22, 2023] | (a) Provider permits. Persons seeking to provide observer or catch monitor services must obtain a provider permit from NMFS before providing certified catch monitors or certified observers for the Shorebased IFQ Program, the MS Co-op Program, the C/P Co-op Program, or for processing vessels in the fixed gear or open access fisheries. There are two types of endorsements for provider permits, an observer endorsement and a catch monitor endorsement. Provider permits must have at least one endorsement and it must be appropriate for the services being provided. Provider permits are obtained through an application process and must be renewed annually to remain valid in the following year. A provider permit and associated endorsements expire if not renewed or if services have not been provided for 12 consecutive months. (b) Application process to become an observer or catch monitor provider —(1) New provider applications. An applicant seeking a provider permit may submit an application at any time during the calendar year. Any provider permit issued during a given year will expire on December 31. Application forms must be submitted by mail to the West Coast Region Fisheries Permits Office, 7600 Sand Point Way NE., Bldg 1, Seattle, WA 98115. Only complete applications will be considered for approval by the review board. (2) Contents of provider application. A complete application for a provider permit shall contain the following: (i) An indication of which endorsement the applicant is seeking: observer provider, catch monitor provider, or both endorsements. A single application may be used to apply for both endorsements. (ii) Applicant contact information. (A) Legal name of applicant organization. If the applicant organization is United States business entity, include the state registration number. (B) The primary business mailing address, phone and fax numbers where the owner(s) can be contacted for official correspondence. (iii) Description of the management, organizational structure, and ownership struct… | ||||
| 50:50:13.0.1.1.1.4.1.1 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 660 | PART 660—FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES | D | Subpart D—West Coast Groundfish—Limited Entry Trawl Fisheries | § 660.100 Purpose and scope. | FWS | [75 FR 78383, Dec. 15, 2010, as amended at 80 FR 77271, Dec. 14, 2015; 88 FR 81358, Nov. 22, 2023] | This subpart applies to the Pacific coast groundfish limited entry trawl fishery. Under the trawl rationalization program, the limited entry trawl fishery consists of the Shorebased IFQ Program, the MS Co-op Program, and the C/P Co-op Program. Nothing in these regulations shall be construed to modify, impair, or supersede the operation of any of the antitrust laws. The trawl rationalization program creates limited access privileges. These limited access privileges, including the QS or IBQ, QP or IBQ pounds, and catch history assignments, may be revoked, limited or modified at any time in accordance with the MSA—and do not create any right of compensation to the holder of the limited access privilege if it is revoked, limited, or modified. The trawl rationalization program does not create any right, title, or interest in or to any fish before the fish is harvested by the holder and shall be considered a grant of permission to the holder of the limited access privilege to engage in activities permitted by the trawl rationalization program. | ||||
| 50:50:13.0.1.1.1.4.1.10 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 660 | PART 660—FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES | D | Subpart D—West Coast Groundfish—Limited Entry Trawl Fisheries | § 660.140 Shorebased IFQ Program. | FWS | [75 FR 60897, Oct. 1, 2010] | (a) General. The regulations in this section apply to the Shorebased IFQ Program. The Shorebased IFQ Program includes a system of transferable QS for most groundfish species or species groups, IBQ for Pacific halibut, and trip limits or set-asides for the remaining groundfish species or species groups. NMFS will issue a QS permit to eligible participants and will establish a QS account for each QS permit owner to track the amount of QS or IBQ and QP or IBQ pounds owned by that owner. QS permit owners may own QS or IBQ for IFQ species, expressed as a percent of the allocation to the Shorebased IFQ Program for that species. NMFS will issue QP or IBQ pounds to QS permit owners, expressed in pounds, on an annual basis, to be deposited in the corresponding QS account. NMFS will establish a vessel account for each eligible vessel owner participating in the Shorebased IFQ Program, which is independent of the QS permit and QS account. In order to use QP or IBQ pounds, a QS permit owner must transfer the QP or IBQ pounds from the QS account into the vessel account for the vessel to which the QP or IBQ pounds is to be assigned. Harvests of IFQ species may only be delivered to an IFQ first receiver with a first receiver site license. In addition to the requirements of this section, the Shorebased IFQ Program is subject to the following groundfish regulations of subparts C and D: (1) Regulations set out in the following sections of subpart C: § 660.11 Definitions, § 660.12 Prohibitions, § 660.13 Recordkeeping and reporting, § 660.14 VMS requirements, § 660.15 Equipment requirements, § 660.16 Groundfish observer program, § 660.20 Vessel and gear identification, § 660.25 Permits, § 660.55 Allocations, § 660.60 Specifications and management measures, § 660.65 Groundfish harvest specifications, and §§ 660.70 through 660.79 Closed areas. (2) Regulations set out in the following sections of subpart D: § 660.111 Trawl fishery definitions, § 660.112 Trawl fishery prohibitions, § 660.113 Trawl fishery recordkeeping and reporting,… | ||||
| 50:50:13.0.1.1.1.4.1.11 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 660 | PART 660—FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES | D | Subpart D—West Coast Groundfish—Limited Entry Trawl Fisheries | § 660.150 Mothership (MS) Co-op Program. | FWS | [75 FR 60897, Oct. 1, 2010, as amended at 75 FR 78406, Dec. 15, 2010; 76 FR 27547, May 11, 2011; 76 FR 53838, Aug. 30, 2011; 76 FR 74744, Dec. 1, 2011; 77 FR 45512, Aug. 1, 2012; 77 FR 55157, Sept. 7, 2012; 78 FR 18896, Mar. 28, 2013; 78 FR 68772, Nov. 15, 2013; 78 FR 75282, Dec. 11, 2013; 80 FR 22290, Apr. 21, 2015; 81 FR 27011, May 5, 2016; 83 FR 762, Jan. 8, 2018; 83 FR 64004, Dec. 12, 2018; 84 FR 31160, June 28, 2019; 84 FR 68810, Dec. 17, 2019; 85 FR 37029, June 19, 2020; 85 FR 35601, June 11, 2020; 86 FR 26443, May 14, 2021; 86 FR 58813, Oct. 25, 2021; 87 FR 54909, Sept. 8, 2022; 87 FR 77027, Dec. 16, 2022; 87 FR 77006, Dec. 16, 2022; 88 FR 81358, 81359, Nov. 22, 2023; 89 FR 101522, Dec. 16, 2024] | (a) General. The MS Co-op Program is a general term to describe the limited access program that applies to eligible harvesters and processors in the mothership sector of the Pacific whiting at-sea trawl fishery. Eligible harvesters and processors, including co-op and non-cooperative fishery participants, must meet the requirements set forth in this section of the Pacific Coast groundfish regulations. Each year a vessel registered to an MS/CV-endorsed permit may fish in either the co-op or non-cooperative portion of the MS Co-op Program, but not both. In addition to the requirements of this section, the MS Co-op Program is subject to the following groundfish regulations of subparts C and D of this part: (1) Pacific whiting seasons § 660.131(b), subpart D. (2) Area restrictions specified for midwater trawl gear used to harvest Pacific whiting fishery specified at § 660.131(c), Subpart D for GCAs, RCAs, Salmon Conservation Zones, BRAs, and EFHCAs. (3) Regulations set out in the following sections of subpart C: § 660.11 Definitions, § 660.12 Prohibitions, § 660.13 Recordkeeping and reporting, § 660.14 VMS requirements, § 660.15 Equipment requirements, § 660.16 Groundfish Observer Program, § 660.20 Vessel and gear identification, § 660.25 Permits, § 660.55 Allocations, § 660.60 Specifications and management measures, § 660.65 Groundfish harvest specifications, and §§ 660.70 through 660.79 Closed areas. (4) Regulations set out in the following sections of subpart D: § 660.111 Trawl fishery definitions, § 660.112 Trawl fishery prohibitions, § 660.113 Trawl fishery recordkeeping and reporting, § 660.115 Trawl fishery cost recovery program, § 660.120 Trawl fishery crossover provisions, § 660.130 Trawl fishery management measures, and § 660.131 Pacific whiting fishery management measures. (5) The MS Co-op Program may be restricted or closed as a result of projected overages within the MS Co-op Program, the C/P Co-op Program, or the Shorebased IFQ Program. As determined necessary by the Regional Administrator, area r… | ||||
| 50:50:13.0.1.1.1.4.1.12 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 660 | PART 660—FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES | D | Subpart D—West Coast Groundfish—Limited Entry Trawl Fisheries | § 660.160 Catcher/processor (C/P) Co-op Program. | FWS | [75 FR 60897, Oct. 1, 2010, as amended at 75 FR 78419, Dec. 15, 2010; 76 FR 27547, May 11, 2011; 76 FR 53838, Aug. 30, 2011; 76 FR 74746, Dec. 1, 2011; 77 FR 55158, Sept. 7, 2012; 78 FR 75282, Dec. 11, 2013; 80 FR 22297, Apr. 21, 2015; 81 FR 27011, May 5, 2016; 83 FR 763, Jan. 8, 2018; 83 FR 64004, Dec. 12, 2018; 84 FR 68812, Dec. 17, 2019; 85 FR 35601, June 11, 2020; 85 FR 37029, June 19, 2020; 86 FR 26443, May 14, 2021; 86 FR 58813, Oct. 25, 2021; 87 FR 54910, Sept. 8, 2022; 87 FR 77027, Dec. 16, 2022; 87 FR 77006, Dec. 16, 2022; 88 FR 81358, 81359, Nov. 22, 2023; 89 FR 101522, Dec. 16, 2024] | (a) General. The C/P Co-op Program is a limited access program that applies to vessels in the C/P sector of the Pacific whiting at-sea trawl fishery and is a single voluntary co-op. Eligible harvesters and processors must meet the requirements set forth in this section of the Pacific Coast groundfish regulations. In addition to the requirements of this section, the C/P Co-op Program is subject to the following groundfish regulations: (1) Pacific whiting seasons § 660.131(b), subpart D. (2) Area restrictions specified for midwater trawl gear used to harvest Pacific whiting fishery specified at § 660.131(c), subpart D for GCAs, RCAs, Salmon Conservation Zones, BRAs, and EFHCAs. (3) Regulations set out in the following sections of subpart C: § 660.11 Definitions, § 660.12 Prohibitions, § 660.13 Recordkeeping and reporting, § 660.14 VMS requirements, § 660.15 Equipment requirements, § 660.16 Groundfish Observer Program, § 660.20 Vessel and gear identification, § 660.25 Permits, § 660.55 Allocations, § 660.60 Specifications and management measures, § 660.65 Groundfish harvest specifications, and §§ 660.70 through 660.79 Closed areas. (4) Regulations set out in the following sections of subpart D: § 660.111 Trawl fishery definitions, § 660.112 Trawl fishery prohibitions, § 660.113 Trawl fishery recordkeeping and reporting, § 660.115 Trawl fishery cost recovery program, § 660.120 Trawl fishery crossover provisions, § 660.130 Trawl fishery management measures, and § 660.131 Pacific whiting fishery management measures. (5) The C/P Co-op Program may be restricted or closed as a result of projected overages within the MS Co-op Program, the C/P Co-op Program, or the Shorebased IFQ Program. As determined necessary by the Regional Administrator, area restrictions, season closures, or other measures will be used to prevent the trawl sectors in aggregate or the individual trawl sector (Shorebased IFQ, MS Co-op, or C/P Co-op) from exceeding an ACL, ACT, or formal allocation specified in the PCGFMP or regulation at § 660.55… | ||||
| 50:50:13.0.1.1.1.4.1.2 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 660 | PART 660—FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES | D | Subpart D—West Coast Groundfish—Limited Entry Trawl Fisheries | § 660.111 Trawl fishery—definitions. | FWS | [75 FR 60897, Oct. 1, 2010, as amended at 75 FR 78383, Dec. 15, 2010; 76 FR 74739, Dec. 1, 2011; 78 FR 68769, Nov. 15, 2013; 78 FR 75278, Dec. 11, 2013; 80 FR 77271, Dec. 14, 2015; 84 FR 63986, Nov. 19, 2019; 84 FR 68806, Dec. 17, 2019; 86 FR 10869, Feb. 23, 2021; 87 FR 77026, Dec. 16, 2022; 87 FR 77005, Dec. 16, 2022; 88 FR 81358, Nov. 22, 2023; 89 FR 101522, 101532, Dec. 16, 2024] | These definitions are specific to the limited entry trawl fisheries covered in this subpart. General groundfish definitions are found at § 660.11. Accumulation limits mean the maximum extent of permissible ownership, control or use of a privilege within the trawl rationalization program, and include the following: (1) Shorebased IFQ Program —(i) Control limits means the maximum amount of QS or IBQ that a person may own or control, as described at § 660.140(d)(4). (ii) Vessel limits means the maximum amount of QP a vessel can hold, acquire, and/or use during a calendar year, and specify the maximum amount of QP that may be registered to a single vessel during the year (QP Vessel Limit) and, for some species, the maximum amount of unused QP registered to a vessel account at any one time (Unused QP Vessel Limit), as described at § 660.140(e)(4). Compliance with the QP vessel limit (annual limit) is calculated as all QPs transferred in minus all QPs transferred out of the vessel account. (2) MS Co-op Program. (i) MS/CV permit ownership limit means the maximum amount of catch history assignment that a person may own, no more than 20 percent of the MS sector's allocation of Pacific whiting, as described at § 660.150(g)(3)(i). (ii) Catcher vessel usage limit means the maximum amount of the annual mothership sector Pacific whiting allocation that a vessel may catch, no more than 30 percent, as described at § 660.150(g)(3)(ii). Block area closures or BACs are a type of groundfish conservation area, defined at § 660.11, bounded on the north and south by commonly used geographic coordinates, defined at § 660.11, and on the east and west by the EEZ, and boundary lines approximating depth contours, defined with latitude and longitude coordinates at §§ 660.71 through 660.74 (10 fm (18 m) through 250 fm (457 m)), and § 660.76 (700 fm (1,280 m)). BACs may be implemented or modified as routine management measures, per regulations at § 660.60(c). BACs may be implemented in the EEZ seaward of Washington, Oregon, an… | ||||
| 50:50:13.0.1.1.1.4.1.3 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 660 | PART 660—FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES | D | Subpart D—West Coast Groundfish—Limited Entry Trawl Fisheries | § 660.112 Trawl fishery—prohibitions. | FWS | [75 FR 60897, Oct. 1, 2010, as amended at 75 FR 78384, Dec. 15, 2010; 76 FR 53837, Aug. 30, 2011; 76 FR 74739, Dec. 1, 2011; 77 FR 55155, Sept. 7, 2012; 78 FR 629, Jan. 3, 2013; 78 FR 68769, Nov. 15, 2013; 78 FR 75279, Dec. 11, 2013; 80 FR 22285, Apr. 21, 2015; 80 FR 77272, Dec. 14, 2015; 81 FR 19058, Apr. 4, 2016; 81 FR 27010, May 5, 2016; 81 FR 36808, June 8, 2016; 81 FR 84429, Nov. 23, 2016; 83 FR 62276, Dec. 3, 2018; 84 FR 63986, Nov. 19, 2019; 85 FR 37029, June 19, 2020; 85 FR 35601, June 11, 2020; 86 FR 26442, May 14, 2021; 86 FR 58813, Oct. 25, 2021; 87 FR 11599, Mar. 2, 2022; 87 FR 77005, Dec. 16, 2022; 88 FR 81358, Nov. 22, 2023; 89 FR 101522, Dec. 16, 2024] | In addition to the general prohibitions specified in § 660.12 and § 600.725 of this chapter, it is unlawful for any person or vessel to: (a) General —(1) Trawl gear endorsement. Fish with groundfish trawl gear, or carry groundfish trawl gear on board a vessel that also has groundfish on board, unless the vessel is registered for use with a valid limited entry permit with a trawl gear endorsement, with the following exception. (i) The vessel is in continuous transit from outside the fishery management area to a port in Washington, Oregon, or California; (ii) The vessel is registered to a limited entry MS permit with a valid mothership fishery declaration, in which case trawl nets and doors must be stowed in a secured and covered manner, and detached from all towing lines, so as to be rendered unusable for fishing. (2) Sorting, retention, and disposition. (i) Fail to sort, retain, discard, or dispose of catch consistent with the requirements specified at §§ 660.130(d), 660.140 (b)(2)(iii) and (viii), 660.140(g), and 660.140(j)(2). (ii) Fail to sort, retain, discard, or dispose of prohibited and protected species from maximized retention landings consistent with the requirements specified at § 660.140(g)(3). (iii) Retain for personal use or allow to reach commercial markets any part of any prohibited or protected species. (3) Recordkeeping and reporting. (i) Fail to comply with all recordkeeping and reporting requirements at § 660.13, subpart C; including failure to submit information, or submission of inaccurate or false information on any report required at § 660.13(d), subpart C, and § 660.113. (ii) Falsify or fail to make and/or file, retain or make available any and all reports of groundfish landings, containing all data, and in the exact manner, required by the regulation at § 660.13, subpart C, or § 660.113. (iii) Failure to submit a complete EDC form to NMFS as required by § 660.113. (4) Observers. (i) Fish in the Shorebased IFQ Program, the MS Co-op Program, or the C/P Co-op Program witho… | ||||
| 50:50:13.0.1.1.1.4.1.4 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 660 | PART 660—FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES | D | Subpart D—West Coast Groundfish—Limited Entry Trawl Fisheries | § 660.113 Trawl fishery—recordkeeping and reporting. | FWS | [75 FR 60897, Oct. 1, 2010, as amended at 75 FR 78385, Dec. 15, 2010; 76 FR 53837, Aug. 30, 2011; 76 FR 74740, Dec. 1, 2011; 78 FR 68769, Nov. 15, 2013; 78 FR 75279, Dec. 11, 2013; 80 FR 22285, Apr. 21, 2015; 81 FR 27010, May 5, 2016; 81 FR 84430, Nov. 23, 2016; 83 FR 62276, Dec. 3, 2018; 84 FR 68806, Dec. 17, 2019; 86 FR 10869, Feb. 23, 2021; 87 FR 77005, Dec. 16, 2022; 88 FR 81358, Nov. 22, 2023; 89 FR 101522, Dec. 16, 2024] | General groundfish recordkeeping and reporting requirements are defined at § 660.13, subpart C. The following recordkeeping and reporting requirements are in addition to those and are specific to the limited entry trawl fisheries. (a) General requirements. (1) All records or reports required by this paragraph (a) must: be maintained in English, be accurate, be legible, be based on local time, and be submitted in a timely manner. (2) All records used in the preparation of records or reports specified in this section or corrections to these reports must be maintained for a period of not less than three years after the date of landing and must be immediately available upon request for inspection by NMFS or authorized officers or others as specifically authorized by NMFS. Records used in the preparation of required reports specified in this section or corrections to these reports that are required to be kept include, but are not limited to, any written, recorded, graphic, electronic, or digital materials as well as other information stored in or accessible through a computer or other information retrieval system; worksheets; weight slips; preliminary, interim, and final tally sheets; receipts; checks; ledgers; notebooks; diaries; spreadsheets; diagrams; graphs; charts; tapes; disks; or computer printouts. All relevant records used in the preparation of electronic fish ticket reports or corrections to these reports, including dock tickets, must be maintained for a period of not less than three years after the date of landing and must be immediately available upon request for inspection by NMFS or authorized officers or others as specifically authorized by NMFS. (b) Shorebased IFQ Program —(1) Economic data collection (EDC) program. The following persons are required to submit an EDC form as specified at § 660.114: (i) All owners, lessees, and charterers of a catcher vessel registered to a limited entry trawl endorsed permit. (ii) All owners of a first receiver site license. (iii) All owners and lessees of a… | ||||
| 50:50:13.0.1.1.1.4.1.5 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 660 | PART 660—FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES | D | Subpart D—West Coast Groundfish—Limited Entry Trawl Fisheries | § 660.114 Trawl fishery—economic data collection program. | FWS | [75 FR 78387, Dec. 15, 2010, as amended at 77 FR 55155, Sept. 7, 2012; 81 FR 84430, Nov. 23, 2016; 84 FR 68806, Dec. 17, 2019] | (a) General. The economic data collection (EDC) program collects mandatory economic data from participants in the trawl rationalization program. NMFS requires submission of EDC forms to gather ongoing, annual economic data, including, but not limited to the following categories of information related to participation in the trawl rationalization program: (1) Annual data related to QS permit owner activity and characteristics of participation in the fishery, costs and earnings from quota trades, and quota leasing. (2) Annual data related to costs, earnings, value, labor, operations, physical characteristics, ownership and leasing information for vessels, first receiver sites, or shorebased processors. (b) Economic data collection program requirements. The following fishery participants in the limited entry groundfish trawl fisheries are required to comply with the following EDC program requirements: (c) Submission of the EDC forms, and deadline —(1) Submission of the EDC form. The complete, certified EDC forms must contain valid responses for all data fields, and must be submitted either by paper or web form submission as follows: (i) Paper form submission. Paper forms must be submitted to ATTN: Economic Data Collection Program (FRAM Division), NMFS, Northwest Fisheries Science Center, 2725 Montlake Boulevard East, Seattle, WA 98112. (ii) Web form submission. Completed EDC web forms must be submitted electronically via the Economic Data Collection Program Web Form portal through NOAA.gov/fisheries and the signature page faxed, mailed, or hand-delivered to NWFSC. (2) Deadline. Complete, certified EDC forms must be mailed and postmarked by or hand-delivered to NMFS NWFSC no later than September 1 each year for the prior year's data. (3) Quota Share Permit Owner Survey Submissions and Deadline. Quota Share Permit Owner survey forms are submitted by webform only during the quota account application and renewal process specified at § 660.140 (d)(2). The complete certified Quota Share Permit Own… | ||||
| 50:50:13.0.1.1.1.4.1.6 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 660 | PART 660—FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES | D | Subpart D—West Coast Groundfish—Limited Entry Trawl Fisheries | § 660.115 Trawl fishery—cost recovery program. | FWS | [78 FR 75280, Dec. 11, 2013, as amended at 84 FR 68808, Dec. 17, 2019; 88 FR 81358, Nov. 22, 2023] | (a) General. The cost recovery program collects mandatory fees of up to three percent of the ex-vessel value of fish harvested by sector under the trawl rationalization program in accordance with the Magnuson-Stevens Act. NMFS collects the fees to recover the actual costs directly related to the management, data collection, and enforcement of the trawl rationalization program. In addition to the requirements of this section, the following groundfish regulations also apply: (1) Regulations set out in the following sections of subpart C: § 660.11 Definitions and § 660.25 Permits. (2) Regulations set out in the following sections of subpart D: § 660.111 Definitions, § 660.112 Trawl fishery prohibitions, § 660.113 Trawl fishery recordkeeping and reporting, § 660.140 Shorebased IFQ Program, § 660.150 MS Co-op Program, and § 660.160 C/P Co-op Program. (b) Fee percentage by sector. The annual fee percentage by sector is calculated as described in paragraph (b)(1) of this section. NMFS will establish the fee percentage each year and will announce the fee percentage by sector in accordance with paragraph (b)(2) of this section. The fee percentage must not exceed three percent of the ex-vessel value of fish harvested by sector under the trawl rationalization program pursuant to the Magnuson-Stevens Act at 16 U.S.C. 1854(d)(2)(B). (1) Calculation. In the last quarter of each calendar year, NMFS will calculate the fee percentage by sector based on information from the previous fiscal year (defined at § 660.11). The fee percentage will be rounded to the nearest 0.1 percent and must not exceed three percent for each sector (Shorebased IFQ Program, MS Co-op Program, and C/P Co-op Program). NMFS will use the following equation to annually determine the fee percentage by sector: Fee percentage = the lower of 3% or (DPC/V) × 100, where: (i) “DPC,” or direct program costs, are the actual incremental costs for the previous fiscal year directly related to the management, data collection, and enforcement of each sector (Sho… | ||||
| 50:50:13.0.1.1.1.4.1.7 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 660 | PART 660—FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES | D | Subpart D—West Coast Groundfish—Limited Entry Trawl Fisheries | § 660.120 Trawl fishery—crossover provisions. | FWS | [76 FR 74740, Dec. 1, 2011] | The crossover provisions listed at § 660.60(h)(7), apply to vessels fishing in the limited entry trawl fishery. | ||||
| 50:50:13.0.1.1.1.4.1.8 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 660 | PART 660—FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES | D | Subpart D—West Coast Groundfish—Limited Entry Trawl Fisheries | § 660.130 Trawl fishery—management measures. | FWS | [75 FR 60897, Oct. 1, 2010, as amended at 75 FR 78389, Dec. 15, 2010; 75 FR 82305, Dec. 30, 2010; 76 FR 27546, May 11, 2011; 76 FR 53837, Aug. 30, 2011; 76 FR 74741, Dec. 1, 2011; 78 FR 629, Jan. 3, 2013; 78 FR 68769, Nov. 15, 2013; 79 FR 71343, Dec. 2, 2014; 80 FR 12590, Mar. 10, 2015; 80 FR 31860, June 4, 2015; 80 FR 77272, Dec. 14, 2015; 82 FR 9658, Feb. 7, 2017; 83 FR 62277, Dec. 3, 2018; 83 FR 64002, Dec. 12, 2018; 83 FR 66638, Dec. 27, 2018; 84 FR 31159, June 28, 2019; 84 FR 49962, Sept. 24, 2019; 84 FR 63986, Nov. 19, 2019; 86 FR 10870, Feb. 23, 2021; 88 FR 81358, Nov. 22, 2023; 88 FR 83848, Dec. 1, 2023; 89 FR 101532, Dec. 16, 2024] | (a) General. This section applies to the limited entry trawl fishery. Most species taken in the limited entry trawl fishery will be managed with quotas (see § 660.140), allocations or set-asides (see § 660.150 or § 660.160), or cumulative trip limits (see trip limits in tables 1b (North) and 1b (South) of this subpart), size limits (see § 660.60(h)(5)), seasons (see Pacific whiting at § 660.131(b)), gear restrictions (see paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section) and closed areas (see paragraphs (c) and (e) of this section and §§ 660.70 through 660.79). The limited entry trawl fishery has gear requirements and harvest limits that differ by the type of groundfish trawl gear on board and the area fished. Groundfish vessels operating south of Point Conception must adhere to CCA restrictions (see paragraph (e)(1) of this section and § 660.70). The trip limits in tables 1b (North) and 1b (South) of this subpart apply to vessels participating in the limited entry trawl fishery and may not be exceeded. Federal commercial groundfish regulations are not intended to supersede any more restrictive state commercial groundfish regulations relating to federally managed groundfish. (b) Trawl gear requirements and restrictions. Trawl nets may be fished with or without otter boards, and may use warps or cables to herd fish. (1) Bottom trawl gear —(i) Large footrope trawl gear. Lines or ropes that run parallel to the footrope may not be augmented with material encircling or tied along their length such that they have a diameter larger than 19 inches (48 cm). For enforcement purposes, the footrope will be measured in a straight line from the outside edge to the opposite outside edge at the widest part on any individual part, including any individual disk, roller, bobbin, or any other device. (ii) Small footrope trawl gear. Lines or ropes that run parallel to the footrope may not be augmented with material encircling or tied along their length such that they have a diameter larger than 8 inches (20 cm). For enforcement pur… | ||||
| 50:50:13.0.1.1.1.4.1.9 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 660 | PART 660—FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES | D | Subpart D—West Coast Groundfish—Limited Entry Trawl Fisheries | § 660.131 Pacific whiting fishery management measures. | FWS | [75 FR 60897, Oct. 1, 2010, as amended at 75 FR 75421, Dec. 3, 2010; 75 FR 78390, Dec. 15, 2010; 76 FR 27546, May 11, 2011; 76 FR 53837, Aug. 30, 2011; 77 FR 28516, May 15, 2012; 80 FR 27600, May 14, 2015; 80 FR 19036, Apr. 9, 2015; 80 FR 77273, Dec. 14, 2015; 83 FR 64002, Dec. 12, 2018; 84 FR 63988, Nov. 19, 2019; 84 FR 65926, Dec. 2, 2019; 87 FR 77006, Dec. 16, 2022; 88 FR 81358, Nov. 22, 2023; 89 FR 101533, Dec. 16, 2024] | (a) General. This section applies to the MS sector, the C/P sector, the Pacific whiting IFQ fishery, and Shorebased IFQ vessels targeting Pacific whiting under trip limits outside the Pacific whiting primary season. (b) Pacific whiting primary seasons and Pacific whiting trip limits —(1) Pacific whiting fishery primary seasons. (i) For the Pacific whiting IFQ fishery, the primary season is the period(s) of the large-scale Pacific whiting target fishery conducted after the primary season start date. (ii) For the C/P sector, the primary season is the period(s) when catching and at-sea processing are allowed (after the season closes, at-sea processing of any fish already on board the processing vessel is allowed to continue). (iii) For vessels delivering to motherships, the primary season is the period(s) when catching and at-sea processing is allowed for the MS sector (after the season closes, at-sea processing of any fish already on board the processing vessel is allowed to continue). (2) Different primary season start dates. North of 40°30′ N. lat., different primary season starting dates may be established for the C/P Co-op Program, the MS Co-op Program, and the Pacific whiting IFQ fishery for vessels delivering to IFQ first receivers north of 42° N. lat. and vessels delivering to IFQ first receivers between 42° and 40°30′ N. lat. (i) Procedures. The Pacific whiting primary seasons north of 40°30′ N. lat. generally will be established according to the procedures of the PCGFMP for developing and implementing harvest specifications and apportionments. The season opening dates remain in effect unless changed. (ii) Criteria. The start of a Pacific whiting primary season may be changed based on a recommendation from the Council and consideration of the following factors, if applicable: Size of the harvest guidelines for whiting and bycatch species; age/size structure of the whiting population; expected harvest of bycatch and prohibited species; availability and stock status of prohibited species; exp… | ||||
| 50:50:13.0.1.1.1.5.1.1 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 660 | PART 660—FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES | E | Subpart E—West Coast Groundfish—Limited Entry Fixed Gear Fisheries | § 660.210 Purpose and scope. | FWS | This subpart covers the Pacific Coast Groundfish limited entry fixed gear fishery. | |||||
| 50:50:13.0.1.1.1.5.1.10 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 660 | PART 660—FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES | E | Subpart E—West Coast Groundfish—Limited Entry Fixed Gear Fisheries | § 660.232 Limited entry daily trip limit (DTL) fishery for sablefish. | FWS | [81 FR 84432, Nov. 23, 2016, as amended at 89 FR 101536, Dec. 16, 2024] | (a) Limited entry DTL fisheries both north and south of 36° N. lat. (1) Before the start of the sablefish primary season, all sablefish landings made by a vessel declared into the limited entry fixed gear fishery and authorized by § 660.231(a) to fish in the sablefish primary season will be subject to the restrictions and limits of the limited entry DTL fishery for sablefish specified in this section and which is governed by routine management measures imposed under § 660.60(c), subpart C. (2) Following the start of the primary season, all sablefish landings made by a vessel declared into the limited entry fixed gear fishery and authorized by § 660.231(a) to fish in the primary season will count against the primary season cumulative limit(s) associated with the sablefish-endorsed permit(s) registered for use with that vessel. A vessel that is eligible to fish in the sablefish primary season may fish in the DTL fishery for sablefish once that vessels' primary season sablefish limit(s) have been landed, or after the close of the primary season, whichever occurs earlier (as described at § 660.231(b)(1). If the vessel continues to fish in the limited entry fixed gear fishery for any part of the remaining fishing year, any subsequent sablefish landings by that vessel will be subject to the restrictions and limits of the limited entry DTL fishery for sablefish. (3) Vessels registered for use with a limited entry fixed gear permit that does not have a sablefish endorsement may fish in the limited entry DTL fishery, consistent with regulations at § 660.230, for as long as that fishery is open during the fishing year, subject to routine management measures imposed under § 660.60(c), Subpart C. DTL limits for the limited entry fishery north and south of 36° N lat. are provided in tables 2b (North) and 2b (South) of this subpart. (b) A vessel that is jointly registered, and has participated or will participate in both the limited entry fixed gear fishery and the Shorebased IFQ Program during the fishing year, is subjec… | ||||
| 50:50:13.0.1.1.1.5.1.2 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 660 | PART 660—FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES | E | Subpart E—West Coast Groundfish—Limited Entry Fixed Gear Fisheries | § 660.211 Fixed gear fishery—definitions. | FWS | [75 FR 60897, Oct. 1, 2010, as amended at 76 FR 53838, Aug. 30, 2011] | These definitions are specific to the limited entry fixed gear fisheries covered in this subpart. General groundfish definitions are found at § 660.11, subpart C. Daily Trip Limit (DTL) Fishery means a sablefish fishery that occurs both north and south of 36° N. lat. that is subject to trip limit restrictions including daily and/or weekly and/or bimonthly trip limits. Limited entry fixed gear fishery means the fishery composed of vessels registered to limited entry permits with longline and pot/trap endorsements. Sablefish primary fishery means, for the limited entry fixed gear sablefish fishery north of 36° N. lat, the fishery where vessels registered to at least one limited entry permit with both a gear endorsement for longline or trap (or pot) gear and a sablefish endorsement fish up to a specified tier limit and when they are not eligible to fish in the DTL fishery. Sablefish primary season means, for the limited entry fixed gear sablefish fishery north of 36° N. lat, the period when vessels registered to at least one limited entry permit with both a gear endorsement for longline or trap (or pot) gear and a sablefish endorsement, are allowed to fish in the sablefish primary fishery described at § 660.231 of this subpart. Tier limit means a specified amount of sablefish that may be harvested by a vessel registered to a limited entry fixed gear permit(s) with a Tier 1, Tier 2, and/or Tier 3 designation; a gear endorsement for longline or trap (or pot) gear; and a sablefish endorsement. | ||||
| 50:50:13.0.1.1.1.5.1.3 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 660 | PART 660—FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES | E | Subpart E—West Coast Groundfish—Limited Entry Fixed Gear Fisheries | § 660.212 Fixed gear fishery—prohibitions. | FWS | [75 FR 60897, Oct. 1, 2010, as amended at 75 FR 78427, Dec. 15, 2010; 76 FR 53838, Aug. 30, 2011; 76 FR 74746, Dec. 1, 2011; 81 FR 84430, Nov. 23, 2016; 84 FR 63991, Nov. 19, 2019; 88 FR 83848, Dec. 1, 2023; 89 FR 101522, Dec. 16, 2024] | These prohibitions are specific to the limited entry fixed gear fisheries and to the limited entry trawl fishery Shorebased IFQ Program under gear switching. In addition to the general prohibitions specified in §§ 660.12 and 600.725 of this chapter, it is unlawful for any person to: (a) General. (1) Possess, deploy, haul, or carry onboard a fishing vessel subject to subparts C and E a set net, trap or pot, longline, or commercial vertical hook-and-line as defined at § 660.11, subpart C, that is not in compliance with the gear restrictions in § 660.230, subpart E, unless such gear is the gear of another vessel that has been retrieved at sea and made inoperable or stowed in a manner not capable of being fished. The disposal at sea of such gear is prohibited by Annex V of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution From Ships, 1973 (Annex V of MARPOL 73/78). (2) Take and retain, possess, or land more than a single cumulative limit of a particular species, per vessel, per applicable cumulative limit period, except for sablefish taken in the limited entry fixed gear sablefish primary season from a vessel authorized to fish in that season, as described at § 660.231 and except for IFQ species taken in the Shorebased IFQ Program from a vessel authorized under gear switching provisions as described at § 660.140(k). (3) Transport fish, if that fish includes any amount of sablefish, away from the point of landing before being sorted and weighed by federal groundfish species or species group, and recorded for submission on an electronic fish ticket under § 660.213(e). (If fish will be transported to a different location for processing, all sorting and weighing to federal groundfish species groups must occur before transporting the fish away from the point of landing). (4) Mix fish from more than one landing, where one or more of the landings includes any sablefish, prior to the fish being sorted and weighed for reporting on an electronic fish ticket under § 660.213(e). (5) Process, sell, or discard an… | ||||
| 50:50:13.0.1.1.1.5.1.4 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 660 | PART 660—FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES | E | Subpart E—West Coast Groundfish—Limited Entry Fixed Gear Fisheries | § 660.213 Fixed gear fishery—recordkeeping and reporting. | FWS | [75 FR 60897, Oct. 1, 2010, as amended at 78 FR 68773, Nov. 15, 2013; 81 FR 84430, Nov. 23, 2016; 85 FR 68004, Oct. 27, 2020; 86 FR 14693, Mar. 18, 2021; 86 FR 59876, Oct. 29, 2021; 86 FR 70422, Dec. 10, 2021; 87 FR 77027, Dec. 16, 2022] | (a) General. General reporting requirements specified at § 660.13 (a) through (c), subpart C, apply to limited entry fixed gear fishery vessels. (b) Declaration reports for limited entry fixed gear fishery vessels. Declaration reporting requirements for limited entry fixed gear fishery vessels are specified at § 660.13 (d), subpart C. (c) VMS requirements for limited entry fixed gear fishery vessels. VMS requirements for limited entry fixed gear fishery vessels are specified at § 660.14, subpart C. (d) Retention of records. (1) Any person landing groundfish must retain on board the vessel from which groundfish are landed, and provide to an authorized officer upon request, copies of any and all reports of groundfish landings containing all data, and in the exact manner, required by the applicable state law throughout the cumulative limit period during which a landing occurred and for 15 days thereafter. All relevant records used in the preparation of electronic fish ticket reports or corrections to these reports, including dock tickets, must be maintained for a period of not less than three years after the date of landing and must be immediately available upon request for inspection by NMFS or authorized officers or others as specifically authorized by NMFS. (2) For participants in the sablefish primary season, the cumulative limit period to which this requirement applies is April 1 through December 31 or, for an individual vessel owner, when the tier limit for the permit(s) registered to the vessel has been reached, whichever is earlier. (e) Electronic fish ticket. The first receiver, as defined at § 660.11, subpart C, of fish, if that fish includes any amount of sablefish, from a limited entry fixed gear vessel, is responsible for compliance with all reporting requirements described in this paragraph. Per requirements at § 660.212(a), all fish, if that fish includes any amount of sablefish, must be reported via electronic fish ticket. When used in this paragraph, submit means to transmit final ele… | ||||
| 50:50:13.0.1.1.1.5.1.5 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 660 | PART 660—FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES | E | Subpart E—West Coast Groundfish—Limited Entry Fixed Gear Fisheries | § 660.216 Fixed gear fishery—observer requirements. | FWS | [75 FR 60897, Oct. 1, 2010, as amended at 77 FR 55158, Sept. 7, 2012; 78 FR 68773, Nov. 15, 2013; 80 FR 22301, Apr. 21, 2015] | (a) Observer coverage requirements —(1) Harvesting vessels. When NMFS notifies the owner, operator, permit holder, or the manager of a harvesting vessel of any requirement to carry an observer, the harvesting vessel may not be used to fish for groundfish without carrying an observer. (2) Processing vessels. Unless specified otherwise by the Observer Program, any vessel 125 ft (38.1 m) LOA or longer that is engaged in at-sea processing must carry two certified observers procured from a permitted observer provider, and any vessel shorter than 125 ft (38.1 m) LOA that is engaged in at-sea processing must carry one certified observer procured from a permitted observer provider, each day that the vessel is used to take, retain, receive, land, process, or transport groundfish. Owners of vessels required to carry observers under this paragraph must arrange for observer services from a permitted observer provider except when the Observer Program has determined and given notification that the vessel must carry NMFS staff or an individual authorized by NMFS in addition to or in lieu of an observer provided by a permitted observer provider. (b) Notice of departure basic rule. At least 24 hours (but not more than 36 hours) before departing on a fishing trip, a harvesting vessel that has been notified by NMFS that it is required to carry an observer, or that is operating in an active sampling unit, must notify NMFS (or its designated agent) of the vessel's intended time of departure. (1) Optional notice—weather delays. A harvesting vessel that anticipates a delayed departure due to weather or sea conditions may advise NMFS of the anticipated delay when providing the basic notice described in paragraph (b) of this section. If departure is delayed beyond 36 hours from the time the original notice is given, the vessel must provide an additional notice of departure not less than four hours prior to departure, in order to enable NMFS to place an observer. (2) Optional notice—back-to-back fishing trips. A harvesting … | ||||
| 50:50:13.0.1.1.1.5.1.6 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 660 | PART 660—FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES | E | Subpart E—West Coast Groundfish—Limited Entry Fixed Gear Fisheries | § 660.219 Fixed gear identification and marking. | FWS | (a) Gear identification. (1) Limited entry fixed gear (longline, trap or pot) must be marked at the surface and at each terminal end, with a pole, flag, light, radar reflector, and a buoy. (2) A buoy used to mark fixed gear must be marked with a number clearly identifying the owner or operator of the vessel. The number may be either: (i) If required by applicable state law, the vessel's number, the commercial fishing license number, or buoy brand number; or (ii) The vessel documentation number issued by the USCG, or, for an undocumented vessel, the vessel registration number issued by the state. (b) [Reserved] | |||||
| 50:50:13.0.1.1.1.5.1.7 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 660 | PART 660—FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES | E | Subpart E—West Coast Groundfish—Limited Entry Fixed Gear Fisheries | § 660.220 Fixed gear fishery—crossover provisions. | FWS | [76 FR 74746, Dec. 1, 2011] | The crossover provisions listed at § 660.60(h)(7), apply to vessels fishing in the limited entry fixed gear fishery. | ||||
| 50:50:13.0.1.1.1.5.1.8 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 660 | PART 660—FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES | E | Subpart E—West Coast Groundfish—Limited Entry Fixed Gear Fisheries | § 660.230 Fixed gear fishery—management measures. | FWS | [75 FR 60897, Oct. 1, 2010, as amended at 76 FR 27549, May 11, 2011; 76 FR 53838, Aug. 30, 2011; 78 FR 634, Jan. 3, 2013; 80 FR 12593, Mar. 10, 2015; 80 FR 71981, Nov. 18, 2015; 82 FR 9662, Feb. 7, 2017; 82 FR 60569, Dec. 21, 2017; 83 FR 64006, Dec. 12, 2018; 84 FR 49962, Sept. 24, 2019; 84 FR 63991, Nov. 19, 2019; 85 FR 79921, Dec. 11, 2020; 86 FR 14381, Mar. 16, 2021; 87 FR 77027, Dec. 16, 2022; 88 FR 83849, Dec. 1, 2023; 89 FR 101522, 101535, Dec. 16, 2024; 90 FR 15414, Apr. 11, 2025; 90 FR 57719, Dec. 12, 2025] | (a) General. Most species taken in limited entry fixed gear (longline and pot/trap) fisheries will be managed with cumulative trip limits (see trip limits in tables 2b (North) and 2b (South) of this subpart), size limits (see § 660.60(h)(5)), seasons (see trip limits in tables 2a (North), 2b (North), 2a (South), and 2b (South) of this subpart and sablefish primary season details in § 660.231), gear restrictions (see paragraph (b) of this section), and closed areas (see paragraph (d) of this section and §§ 660.70 through 660.79). Cowcod, yelloweye, and California quillback rockfish retention is prohibited in all fisheries, and groundfish vessels must adhere to GEA restrictions (see paragraph (d)(16) of this section and § 660.70). Regulations governing tier limits for the limited entry fixed gear sablefish primary season north of 36° N lat. are found in § 660.231. Vessels not participating in the sablefish primary season are subject to daily or weekly sablefish limits in addition to cumulative limits for each cumulative limit period. Only one sablefish landing per week may be made in excess of the daily trip limit and, if the vessel chooses to make a landing in excess of that daily trip limit, then that is the only sablefish landing permitted for that week. The trip limit for black rockfish caught with hook-and-line gear also applies, see paragraph (e) of this section. The trip limits in tables 2b (North) and 2b (South) of this subpart apply to vessels participating in the limited entry groundfish fixed gear fishery and may not be exceeded. (b) Gear restrictions —(1) Longline and pot or trap gear are authorized in the limited entry fixed gear fishery, providing the gear is in compliance with the restrictions set forth in this section, and gear marking requirements described in § 660.219 of this subpart. (2) Vessels participating in the limited entry fixed gear fishery may also fish with open access gear subject to the gear restrictions at § 660.330(b), subpart F, but will be subject to the most restrictive tri… | ||||
| 50:50:13.0.1.1.1.5.1.9 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 660 | PART 660—FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES | E | Subpart E—West Coast Groundfish—Limited Entry Fixed Gear Fisheries | § 660.231 Limited entry fixed gear sablefish primary fishery. | FWS | [75 FR 60897, Oct. 1, 2010] | This section applies to the sablefish primary fishery for the limited entry fixed gear fishery north of 36° N. lat. Limited entry and open access fixed gear sablefish fishing outside of the sablefish primary season north of 36° N. lat. is governed by management measures imposed under §§ 660.230, 660.232, 660.330 and 660.332. (a) Sablefish endorsement. In addition to requirements pertaining to fishing in the limited entry fixed gear fishery (described in subparts C and E), a vessel may not fish in the sablefish primary season for the limited entry fixed gear fishery, unless at least one limited entry permit with both a gear endorsement for longline or trap (or pot) gear and a sablefish endorsement is registered for use with that vessel. Permits with sablefish endorsements are assigned to one of three tiers, as described at § 660.25(b)(3)(iv), subpart C. (b) Sablefish primary season for the limited entry fixed gear fishery —(1) Season dates. North of 36° N lat., the sablefish primary season for the limited entry, fixed gear, sablefish-endorsed vessels begins at 12 noon local time on April 1 and closes at 12 noon local time on December 31, or closes for an individual vessel owner when the tier limit for the sablefish endorsed permit(s) registered to the vessel has been reached, whichever is earlier, unless otherwise announced by the Regional Administrator through the routine management measures process described at § 660.60(c). (2) Gear type. During the primary season, when fishing against primary season cumulative limits, each vessel authorized to fish in that season under paragraph (a) of this section may fish for sablefish with any of the gear types, except trawl gear, endorsed on at least one of the sablefish endorsed permits registered for use with that vessel. (3) Cumulative limits. (i) A vessel participating in the primary season will be constrained by the sablefish cumulative limit associated with each of the permits registered for use with that vessel. During the primary season, each vessel aut… | ||||
| 50:50:13.0.1.1.1.6.1.1 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 660 | PART 660—FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES | F | Subpart F—West Coast Groundfish—Open Access Fisheries | § 660.310 Purpose and scope. | FWS | This subpart covers the Pacific Coast Groundfish open access fishery. The open access fishery, as defined at § 660.11, subpart C, is the fishery composed of commercial vessels using open access gear fished pursuant to the harvest guidelines, quotas, and other management measures specified for the harvest of open access allocations or governing the fishing activities of open access vessels. | |||||
| 50:50:13.0.1.1.1.6.1.10 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 660 | PART 660—FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES | F | Subpart F—West Coast Groundfish—Open Access Fisheries | § 660.333 Open access non-groundfish trawl fishery—management measures. | FWS | [75 FR 60897, Oct. 1, 2010, as amended at 76 FR 74747, Dec. 1, 2011; 83 FR 62280, Dec. 3, 2018; 83 FR 64292, Dec. 14, 2018; 83 FR 64010, Dec. 12, 2018; 89 FR 101538, Dec. 16, 2024] | (a) General. This section describes management measures for vessels that take groundfish incidentally with non-groundfish trawl gear, including vessels engaged in fishing for pink shrimp, ridgeback prawns, California halibut, or sea cucumbers. (b) Participation in the ridgeback prawn fishery. A trawl vessel will be considered participating in the open access, non-groundfish trawl ridgeback prawn fishery if: (1) It is declared “non-groundfish trawl gear for ridgeback prawn” under § 660.13(d)(4)(iv)(A)( 10 ), regardless of whether it is registered to a Federal limited entry trawl-endorsed permit; and (2) The landing includes ridgeback prawns taken in accordance with California Fish and Game Code, section 8595, which states: “Prawns or shrimp may be taken for commercial purposes with a trawl net, subject to Article 10 (commencing with Section 8830) of Chapter 3.” (c) Participation in the California halibut fishery. A trawl vessel will be considered participating in the open access, non-groundfish trawl California halibut fishery if: (1) It is declared “non-groundfish trawl gear for California halibut” under § 660.13(d)(4)(iv)(A)( 11 ), regardless of whether it is registered to a Federal limited entry trawl-endorsed permit; (2) All fishing on the trip takes place south of Pt. Arena, CA (38°57.50′ N. lat.); and (3) The landing includes California halibut of a size required by California Fish and Game Code section 8392, which states: “No California halibut may be taken, possessed or sold which measures less than 22 in (56 cm) in total length. Total length means the shortest distance between the tip of the jaw or snout, whichever extends farthest while the mouth is closed, and the tip of the longest lobe of the tail, measured while the halibut is lying flat in natural repose, without resort to any force other than the swinging or fanning of the tail.” (d) Participation in the sea cucumber fishery. A trawl vessel will be considered to be participating in the open access, non-groundfish trawl sea cucumber … | ||||
| 50:50:13.0.1.1.1.6.1.11 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 660 | PART 660—FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES | F | Subpart F—West Coast Groundfish—Open Access Fisheries | § 660.334 Open access non-groundfish salmon troll fishery—management measures. | FWS | [89 FR 101539, Dec. 16, 2024] | (a) General. This section includes management measures applicable to vessels that incidentally take and retain groundfish while participating in the West Coast salmon fishery under the regulations at part 660, subpart H (herein referred to as “salmon troll fishery”). All salmon troll vessels that take and retain groundfish species are subject to the open access trip limits, seasons, size limits, and Non-Trawl RCA restrictions listed in tables 3a (North), 3b (North), 3a (South), and 3b (South) to this subpart, unless otherwise stated in this section. (b) Trip limits. (1) In the area north of 40° 10′ N lat., salmon trollers may retain and land up to 500 lb (227 kg) of yellowtail rockfish per month as long as salmon is on board, both within and outside of the Non-Trawl RCA. Salmon trollers may retain and land up to 1 lingcod per 2 Chinook per trip, plus 1 lingcod per trip, up to a trip limit of 10 lingcod, on a trip where any fishing occurs within the Non-Trawl RCA. The lingcod limit only applies during times when lingcod retention is allowed and is not “CLOSED”. These limits are within the limits described in table 3b (North), and not in addition to those limits. (2) In the area south of 40° 10′ N lat., salmon trollers may retain and land up to 1 lb (0.45 kg) of yellowtail rockfish for every 2 lb (0.90 kg) of Chinook salmon landed, with a cumulative limit of 200 lb (91 kg)/month, both within and outside of the Non-Trawl RCA. This limit is within the trip limits for shelf rockfish, and not in addition to those limits. All groundfish species are subject to the open access limits, seasons, size limits, and RCA restrictions listed in tables 3a (South) and 3b (South) to this subpart, unless otherwise stated here. | ||||
| 50:50:13.0.1.1.1.6.1.2 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 660 | PART 660—FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES | F | Subpart F—West Coast Groundfish—Open Access Fisheries | § 660.311 Open access fishery—definitions. | FWS | General definitions for the Pacific Coast groundfish fisheries are defined at § 660.11, subpart C. The definitions in this subpart are specific to the open access fishery covered in this subpart and are in addition to those specified at § 660.11, subpart C. Closely tended for the purposes of this subpart means that a vessel is within visual sighting distance or within 0.25 nm (463 m) of the gear as determined by electronic navigational equipment. | |||||
| 50:50:13.0.1.1.1.6.1.3 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 660 | PART 660—FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES | F | Subpart F—West Coast Groundfish—Open Access Fisheries | § 660.312 Open access fishery—prohibitions. | FWS | [75 FR 60897, Oct. 1, 2010, as amended at 81 FR 84433, Nov. 23, 2016; 84 FR 63992, Nov. 19, 2019; 88 FR 83852, Dec. 1, 2023; 89 FR 101522, 101538, Dec. 16, 2024] | In addition to the general prohibitions specified in §§ 660.12 and 600.725 of this chapter, it is unlawful for any person to: (a) General. (1) Take and retain, possess, or land groundfish in excess of the landing limit for the open access fishery without having a valid limited entry permit for the vessel affixed with a gear endorsement for the gear used to catch the fish. (2) Black rockfish fisheries. Have onboard a commercial hook-and-line fishing vessel (other than a vessel operated by persons under § 660.60 (c)(1)(ii), subpart C), more than the amount of the trip limit set for black rockfish by § 660.330(e) while that vessel is fishing between the U.S.-Canada border and Cape Alava (48°09′30″ N. lat.), or between Destruction Island (47°40′00″ N. lat.) and Leadbetter Point (46°38′10″ N. lat.). (3) Transport fish, if that fish includes any amount of sablefish, away from the point of landing before being sorted and weighed by federal groundfish species or species group, and recorded for submission on an electronic fish ticket under § 660.313(f). (If fish will be transported to a different location for processing, all sorting and weighing to federal groundfish species groups must occur before transporting the fish away from the point of landing). (4) Mix fish from more than one landing, where one or more of the landings includes any amount of sablefish, prior to the fish being sorted and weighed for reporting on an electronic fish ticket under § 660.313(f). (5) Process, sell, or discard any fish if that fish includes any amount of sablefish, that has not been accounted for on an electronic fish ticket under § 660.313(f). (6) Take and retain, possess, or land groundfish in the directed open access fishery without having a valid directed open access permit for the vessel. (b) Recordkeeping and reporting. (1) Fail to comply with all recordkeeping and reporting requirements at § 660.13, subpart C, including failure to submit information, or submission of inaccurate or false information on any report requir… | ||||
| 50:50:13.0.1.1.1.6.1.4 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 660 | PART 660—FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES | F | Subpart F—West Coast Groundfish—Open Access Fisheries | § 660.313 Open access fishery—recordkeeping and reporting. | FWS | [81 FR 84432, Nov. 23, 2016, as amended at 89 FR 101522, Dec. 16, 2024] | (a) General. General reporting requirements specified at § 660.13(a) through (c), subpart C, apply to the open access fishery. (b) Declaration reports for vessels using non-trawl gear. Declaration reporting requirements for open access vessels using non-trawl gear (all types of open access gear other than non-groundfish trawl gear) are specified at § 660.13(d), subpart C. (c) Declaration reports for vessels using non-groundfish trawl gear. Declaration reporting requirements for open access vessels using non-groundfish trawl gear are specified at § 660.13(d), subpart C. (d) VMS requirements for open access fishery vessels. VMS requirements for open access fishery vessels are specified at § 660.14, subpart C. (e) Retention of records. Any person landing groundfish must retain on board the vessel from which groundfish is landed, and provide to an authorized officer upon request, copies of any and all reports of groundfish landings containing all data, and in the exact manner, required by the applicable state law throughout the cumulative limit period during which a landing occurred and for 15 days thereafter. All relevant records used in the preparation of electronic fish ticket reports or corrections to these reports, including dock tickets, must be maintained for a period of not less than three years after the date of landing and must be immediately available upon request for inspection by NMFS or authorized officers or others as specifically authorized by NMFS. (f) Electronic fish ticket. The first receiver, as defined at § 660.11, subpart C, of fish, if that fish includes any amount of sablefish, from an open access vessel, is responsible for compliance with all reporting requirements described in this paragraph. Per requirements at § 660.312(a), all fish, if that fish includes any amount of sablefish, must be reported via electronic fish ticket. When used in this paragraph, submit means to transmit final electronic fish ticket information via web-based form or, if a waiver is granted, by paper … | ||||
| 50:50:13.0.1.1.1.6.1.5 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 660 | PART 660—FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES | F | Subpart F—West Coast Groundfish—Open Access Fisheries | § 660.316 Open access fishery—observer requirements. | FWS | [75 FR 60897, Oct. 1, 2010, as amended at 77 FR 55158, Sept. 7, 2012; 78 FR 68773, Nov. 15, 2013; 80 FR 22301, Apr. 21, 2015] | (a) Observer coverage requirements —(1) Harvesting vessels. When NMFS notifies the owner, operator, permit holder, or the manager of a harvesting vessel of any requirement to carry an observer, the harvesting vessel may not be used to fish for groundfish without carrying an observer. (2) Processing vessels. Unless specified otherwise by the Observer Program, any vessel 125 ft (38.1 m) LOA or longer that is engaged in at-sea processing must carry two certified observers procured from a permitted observer provider, and any vessel shorter than 125 ft (38.1 m) LOA that is engaged in at-sea processing must carry one certified observer procured from a permitted observer provider, each day that the vessel is used to take, retain, receive, land, process, or transport groundfish. Owners of vessels required to carry observers under this paragraph must arrange for observer services from a permitted observer provider except when the Observer Program has determined and given notification that the vessel must carry NMFS staff or an individual authorized by NMFS in addition to or in lieu of an observer provided by a permitted observer provider. (b) Notice of departure—basic rule. At least 24 hours (but not more than 36 hours) before departing on a fishing trip, a harvesting vessel that has been notified by NMFS that it is required to carry an observer, or that is operating in an active sampling unit, must notify NMFS (or its designated agent) of the vessel's intended time of departure. Notice will be given in a form to be specified by NMFS. (1) Optional notice—weather delays. A harvesting vessel that anticipates a delayed departure due to weather or sea conditions may advise NMFS of the anticipated delay when providing the basic notice described in paragraph (b) of this section. If departure is delayed beyond 36 hours from the time the original notice is given, the vessel must provide an additional notice of departure not less than four hours prior to departure, in order to enable NMFS to place an observer. (2) Op… | ||||
| 50:50:13.0.1.1.1.6.1.6 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 660 | PART 660—FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES | F | Subpart F—West Coast Groundfish—Open Access Fisheries | § 660.319 Open access fishery gear identification and marking. | FWS | (a) Gear identification. (1) Open access fixed gear (longline, trap or pot, set net and stationary hook-and-line gear, including commercial vertical hook-and-line gear) must be marked at the surface and at each terminal end, with a pole, flag, light, radar reflector, and a buoy. (2) Open access commercial vertical hook-and-line gear that is closely tended as defined at § 660.311 of this subpart, may be marked only with a single buoy of sufficient size to float the gear. (3) A buoy used to mark fixed gear under paragraph (a)(1) or (a)(2) of this section must be marked with a number clearly identifying the owner or operator of the vessel. The number may be either: (i) If required by applicable state law, the vessel's number, the commercial fishing license number, or buoy brand number; or (ii) The vessel documentation number issued by the USCG, or, for an undocumented vessel, the vessel registration number issued by the state. (b) [Reserved] | |||||
| 50:50:13.0.1.1.1.6.1.7 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 660 | PART 660—FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES | F | Subpart F—West Coast Groundfish—Open Access Fisheries | § 660.320 Open access fishery—crossover provisions. | FWS | [76 FR 74747, Dec. 1, 2011] | The crossover provisions listed at § 660.60(h)(7), apply to vessels fishing in the open access fishery. | ||||
| 50:50:13.0.1.1.1.6.1.8 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 660 | PART 660—FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES | F | Subpart F—West Coast Groundfish—Open Access Fisheries | § 660.330 Open access fishery—management measures. | FWS | [75 FR 60897, Oct. 1, 2010, as amended at 76 FR 27554, May 11, 2011; 76 FR 53839, Aug. 30, 2011; 78 FR 638, Jan. 3, 2013; 80 FR 12597, Mar. 10, 2015; 80 FR 71981, Nov. 18, 2015; 82 FR 9665, Feb. 7, 2017; 82 FR 60570, Dec. 21, 2017; 83 FR 64010, Dec. 12, 2018; 84 FR 49962, Sept. 24, 2019; 84 FR 63992, Nov. 19, 2019; 86 FR 14383, Mar. 16, 2021; 87 FR 77029, Dec. 16, 2022; 88 FR 12868, Mar. 1, 2023; 88 FR 83853, Dec. 1, 2023; 89 FR 101522, 101538, Dec. 16, 2024; 90 FR 15415, Apr. 11, 2025; 90 FR 57719, Dec. 12, 2025] | (a) General. Groundfish species taken in open access fisheries will be managed with cumulative trip limits (see trip limits in tables 3b (North) and 3b (South) of this subpart), size limits (see § 660.60(h)(5)), seasons (see seasons in tables 3a (North), 3b (North), 3a (South), and 3b (South) of this subpart), gear restrictions (see paragraph (b) of this section), and closed areas (see paragraph (d) of this section and §§ 660.70 through 660.79). Unless otherwise specified, a vessel operating in the open access fishery is subject to, and must not exceed any trip limit, frequency limit, and/or size limit for the open access fishery. Retention of cowcod, yelloweye rockfish, and quillback rockfish off California is prohibited in all fisheries, and groundfish vessels must adhere to GEA restrictions (see paragraph (d)(18) of this section and § 660.70). For information on the open access daily/weekly trip limit fishery for sablefish, see § 660.332 and the trip limits in tables 3b (North) and 3b (South) of this subpart. Open access vessels are subject to daily or weekly sablefish limits in addition to cumulative limits for each cumulative limit period. Only one sablefish landing per week may be made in excess of the daily trip limit and, if the vessel chooses to make a landing in excess of that daily trip limit, then that is the only sablefish landing permitted for that week. The trip limit for black rockfish caught with hook-and-line gear also applies, see paragraph (e) of this section. (b) Gear restrictions. Open access gear includes longline, trap, pot, hook-and-line (fixed or mobile), setnet (anchored gillnet or trammel net, which are permissible south of 38° N. lat. only), spear and non-groundfish trawl gear (trawls used to target non-groundfish species: pink shrimp or ridgeback prawns, and, south of Pt. Arena, CA (38°57.50' N. lat.), California halibut or sea cucumbers). Restrictions for gears used in the open access fisheries are as follows: (1) Non-groundfish trawl gear. Non-groundfish trawl gear is gener… | ||||
| 50:50:13.0.1.1.1.6.1.9 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 660 | PART 660—FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES | F | Subpart F—West Coast Groundfish—Open Access Fisheries | § 660.332 Open access daily trip limit (DTL) fishery for sablefish. | FWS | [75 FR 60897, Oct. 1, 2010, as amended at 78 FR 638, Jan. 3, 2013; 89 FR 101538, Dec. 16, 2024] | (a) Open access DTL fisheries both north and south of 36° N. lat. Open access vessels may fish in the open access, daily trip limit fishery for as long as that fishery is open during the year, subject to the routine management measures imposed under § 660.60. (b) Trip limits. (1) Daily and/or weekly trip limits for the open access fishery north and south of 36° N lat. are provided in tables 3b (North) and 3b (South) of this subpart. (2) Trip and/or frequency limits may be imposed in the limited entry fishery on vessels that are not participating in the primary season under § 660.60. (3) Trip and/or size limits to protect juvenile sablefish in the limited entry or open access fisheries also may be imposed at any time under § 660.60. (4) Trip limits may be imposed in the open access fishery at any time under § 660.60. | ||||
| 50:50:13.0.1.1.1.7.1.1 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 660 | PART 660—FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES | G | Subpart G—West Coast Groundfish—Recreational Fisheries | § 660.350 Purpose and scope. | FWS | This subpart covers the Pacific Coast Groundfish recreational fishery. | |||||
| 50:50:13.0.1.1.1.7.1.2 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 660 | PART 660—FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES | G | Subpart G—West Coast Groundfish—Recreational Fisheries | § 660.351 Recreational fishery—definitions. | FWS | [75 FR 60995, Oct. 1, 2010, as amended at 83 FR 13431, Mar. 29, 2018; 89 FR 101541, Dec. 16, 2024] | These definitions are specific to the recreational fisheries covered in this subpart. General groundfish definitions are defined at § 660.11, subpart C. Bag limit means the number of fish available to an angler. Boat limit means the number of fish available for a vessel or boat. Descending device means an instrument capable of releasing a fish at the depth from which the fish was caught. Hook limit means a limit on the number of hooks on any given fishing line. Long-leader gear (also known as Holloway gear) means fishing gear with the following: One fishing line, deployed with a sinker and no more than three hooks, with a minimum of 30 feet (9.14 meters) between the sinker and the lowest hook, and a non-compressible float attached to the line above the hooks. The gear may be equipped with artificial lures and flies less than or equal to 5 inches in length. Natural bait, and lures or flies greater than 5 inches in length, may not be used. | ||||
| 50:50:13.0.1.1.1.7.1.3 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 660 | PART 660—FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES | G | Subpart G—West Coast Groundfish—Recreational Fisheries | § 660.352 Recreational fishery—prohibitions. | FWS | [89 FR 101541, Dec. 16, 2024] | These prohibitions are specific to the recreational fisheries. General groundfish prohibitions are found at § 660.12, subpart C. In addition to the general groundfish prohibitions specified in § 600.12, subpart C, of this chapter, it is unlawful for any person to: (a) Sell, offer to sell, or purchase any groundfish taken in the course of recreational groundfish fishing. (b) Use fishing gear other than hook-and-line or spear for recreational fishing. (c) Fail to have at least one functional descending device on board ready for immediate use during a groundfish recreational fishing trip. | ||||
| 50:50:13.0.1.1.1.7.1.4 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 660 | PART 660—FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES | G | Subpart G—West Coast Groundfish—Recreational Fisheries | § 660.353 Recreational fishery—recordkeeping and reporting. | FWS | Recordkeeping and reporting requirements at § 660.13 (a) through (c), subpart C, apply to the recreational fishery. | |||||
| 50:50:13.0.1.1.1.7.1.5 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 660 | PART 660—FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES | G | Subpart G—West Coast Groundfish—Recreational Fisheries | § 660.360 Recreational fishery—management measures. | FWS | [75 FR 60995, Oct. 1, 2010, as amended at 76 FR 11392, Mar. 2, 2011; 76 FR 27559, May 11, 2011; 76 FR 54714, Sept. 2, 2011; 76 FR 79133, Dec. 21, 2011; 77 FR 12504, Mar. 1, 2012; 77 FR 55158, Sept. 7, 2012; 77 FR 63761, Oct. 17, 2012; 78 FR 642, Jan. 3, 2013; 78 FR 26279, May 6, 2013; 80 FR 12601, Mar. 10, 2015; 80 FR 61766, Oct. 14, 2015; 82 FR 9668, Feb. 7, 2017; 82 FR 21951, May 11, 2017; 82 FR 48666, Oct. 19, 2017; 82 FR 60570, Dec. 21, 2017; 83 FR 13431, Mar. 29, 2018; 83 FR 16008, Apr. 13, 2018; 83 FR 48728, Sept. 27, 2018; 83 FR 64014, Dec. 12, 2018; 84 FR 25720, June 4, 2019; 85 FR 79926, Dec. 11, 2020; 86 FR 14386, Mar. 16, 2021; 86 FR 72873, Dec. 23, 2021; 87 FR 77033, Dec. 16, 2022; 88 FR 4919, Jan. 26, 2023; 88 FR 12868, Mar. 1, 2023; 88 FR 67665, Oct. 2, 2023; 88 FR 83363, Nov. 29, 2023; 88 FR 83859, Dec. 1, 2023; 89 FR 22350, 22355, Apr. 1, 2024; 89 FR 67327, Aug. 20, 2024; 89 FR 101541, Dec. 16, 2024; 90 FR 15941, Apr. 16, 2025; 90 FR 45005, Sept. 18, 2025; 90 FR 58171, Dec. 16, 2025; 90 FR 57720, Dec. 12, 2025] | (a) General. Federal recreational groundfish regulations are not intended to supersede any more restrictive state recreational groundfish regulations relating to federally-managed groundfish. The bag limits include fish taken in both state and Federal waters. (b) Gear restrictions. The only types of fishing gear authorized for recreational fishing are hook-and-line and spear. Spears may be propelled by hand or by mechanical means. More fishery-specific gear restrictions may be required by state as noted in paragraph (c) of this section (e.g., California's recreational “other flatfish” fishery). (1) All vessels participating in the groundfish recreational fishery seaward of California, Oregon, or Washington must carry on board one functional descending device as defined at § 660.351. The descending device must be available for immediate use and be available to present to an enforcement officer upon request. (2) [Reserved] (c) State-specific recreational fishery management measures. Federal recreational groundfish regulations are not intended to supersede any more restrictive State recreational groundfish regulations relating to federally-managed groundfish. Off the coast of Washington, Oregon, and California, boat limits apply, whereby each fisher aboard a vessel may continue to use angling gear until the combined daily limits of groundfish for all licensed and juvenile anglers aboard has been attained (additional state restrictions on boat limits may apply). (1) Washington. For each person engaged in recreational fishing off the coast of Washington, the groundfish bag limit is nine groundfish per day, including rockfish, cabezon, and lingcod. Within the groundfish bag limit, there are sub-limits for rockfish, lingcod, and cabezon outlined in paragraph (c)(1)(i)(D) of this section. In addition to the groundfish bag limit of nine, there will be a flatfish limit of five fish, not to be counted towards the groundfish bag limit but in addition to it. The recreational groundfish fishery will open the secon… |
Advanced export
JSON shape: default, array, newline-delimited, object
CREATE TABLE cfr_sections (
section_id TEXT PRIMARY KEY,
title_number INTEGER,
title_name TEXT,
chapter TEXT,
subchapter TEXT,
part_number TEXT,
part_name TEXT,
subpart TEXT,
subpart_name TEXT,
section_number TEXT,
section_heading TEXT,
agency TEXT,
authority TEXT,
source_citation TEXT,
amendment_citations TEXT,
full_text TEXT
);
CREATE INDEX idx_cfr_title ON cfr_sections(title_number);
CREATE INDEX idx_cfr_part ON cfr_sections(part_number);
CREATE INDEX idx_cfr_agency ON cfr_sections(agency);