Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Fisheries Off West Coast States; Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery; 2021 Harvest Specifications for Pacific Whiting, and 2021 Pacific Whiting Tribal Allocation

NMFS issues this final rule to establish the 2021 harvest specifications and management measures for Pacific whiting caught in the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone off the coasts of Washington, Oregon, and California consistent with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, the Pacific Whiting Act of 2006, and other applicable laws. This rule also establishes the 2021 adjusted U.S. Total Allowable Catch (TAC), tribal and non-tribal allocations, and research and bycatch set-asides. These measures are intended to help prevent overfishing, achieve optimum yield, ensure that management measures are based on the best scientific information available and ensure the long-term sustainability of Pacific whiting.