Fisheries off West Coast States and in the Western Pacific; Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery; Annual Specifications and Management Measures; Trip Limit Adjustments
catch-limit · west coast · Published 2003-07-07 · Effective 2003-07-01 · 68 FR 40187
Document
Document number
03-17058
Federal Register citation
68 FR 40187
Type
Rule
Action
Inseason adjustments to trip limits and the trawl rockfish conservation area boundaries; correction to trawl rockfish conservation area boundaries; request for comments.
Category
catch-limit
Region
west coast
Publication date
2003-07-07
Effective date
2003-07-01
NOAA docket
Docket No. 021209300-3048-02
Abstract
NMFS announces changes to trip limits and the trawl rockfish conservation area (RCA) for the Pacific Coast groundfish fishery. Trip limit adjustments include changes to the limited entry trawl (Dover sole, thornyhead, sablefish) (DTS) limits coastwide and the limited entry fixed gear and open access minor nearshore rockfish limits coastwide. Changes to the trawl RCA during the months of July and August will restore nearshore fishing opportunities by moving the eastern boundary of the trawl RCA into deeper waters. For the trawl "A" platoon, trip limit adjustments and changes to the trawl RCA will be effective July 1, 2003. Inseason adjustments to trip limits and the trawl RCA for the trawl "B" platoon will be effective July 16, 2003. These actions, which are authorized by the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan (FMP), will allow fisheries access to more abundant groundfish stocks while protecting overfished and depleted stocks.