Fisheries Off West Coast States; Highly Migratory Fisheries; California Drift Gillnet Fishery; Sperm Whale Interaction Restriction
seasonal-closure · west coast · whale · Published 2013-09-04 · Effective 2013-09-04 · 78 FR 54548
Document
Document number
2013-21487
Federal Register citation
78 FR 54548
Type
Rule
Action
Temporary rule; emergency action; request for comments.
Category
seasonal-closure
Region
west coast
Species
whale
Publication date
2013-09-04
Effective date
2013-09-04
NOAA docket
Docket No. 130802674-3749-01
Abstract
NMFS is issuing temporary regulations under the authority of Section 305(c) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA) to: implement an immediate closure of the California thresher shark/swordfish drift gillnet (mesh size >=14 inches) (DGN) fishery if one sperm whale is observed killed or seriously injured in DGN gear off California, and require all DGN fishing vessels to carry a NMFS-trained observer from August 15, 2013 to January 31, 2014 in a 100% observer coverage area (Zone). The Zone covers nearly all areas in the U.S. exclusive economic zone (EEZ) deeper than the 1,100 fathoms (fm) (2,012 meters (m)) depth contour. Owners/operators of vessels intending to fish with DGN gear will be required to install, activate, carry and operate a vessel monitoring system (VMS) prior to embarking on a DGN fishing trip after the effective date of this rule.