View Rule

The proposed action would revise some of the regulations at 50 CFR sections 660 for vessels using midwater trawl gear to target Pacific whiting and non-whiting groundfish in the shorebased individual fishing quota (IFQ) program. Recent amendments to these regulations relating to the creation of the IFQ program resulted in some redundancies, inconsistencies, and unintended implications particularly regarding midwater trawl fishing for non-whiting groundfish species and the retention of certain non-groundfish species. Revisions would clarify the current regulations regarding the use of midwater trawl gear, specifically addressing provisions regarding the use of midwater trawl gear to target non-whiting species, declaration requirements for the use of mid-water trawl gear, and the definition of a "Pacific whiting IFQ trip." In addition, the revisions would clarify requirements regarding the retention of salmonids, halibut, and Dungeness crab off Washington and Oregon during Pacific whiting IFQ trips. The regulations currently provide for "maximized retention" during these trips but include inconsistent retention requirements and do not address the disposition of species for which the Council intends to avoid creating an incentive for targeted fishing. The revisions would address inconsistent provisions regarding retention and would provide detail regarding the disposition of such species consistent with the relevant fishery management plans and other applicable law.