Fisheries off West Coast States and in the Western Pacific; Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery; Experimental Setnet Sablefish Landings To Qualify Limited Entry Sablefish-Endorsed Permits for Tier Assignment

Résumé

NMFS announces approval of a regulatory amendment to revise sablefish tier qualifications for the limited entry, fixed gear, primary sablefish fishery. NMFS issues this final rule to amend tier qualifications to include sablefish landings taken under the provisions of an exempted fishing permit (EFP) from 1984-1985 with setnet gear north of 38[deg] N. latitude (lat.). Setnet EFP landings will be added to the current pot (trap) and longline landings to qualify a sablefish- endorsed permit for its tier assignment. This rule is intended to recognize historical sablefish landings made by current primary season participants.