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DOC/NOAA RIN: 0648-BH71 Publication ID: Spring 2018 
Title: ●Pacific Halibut Catch Limits for Area 2A Fisheries in 2018 
Abstract: NMFS is implementing this interim final rule to set 2018 Pacific halibut catch limits within the International Pacific Halibut Commission's regulatory Area 2A off the coasts of Washington, Oregon and California. In accordance with Article III of the Protocol Amending the Convention Between the United States of America and Canada for the Preservation of the Halibut Fishery of the Northern Pacific Ocean and Bering Sea (Convention), the IPHC can recommend, among other things, catch limits for each fishing season. The Secretary of State, with the concurrence of the Secretary of Commerce, may then accept or reject, on behalf of the United States, the International Pacific Halibut Commission's recommendations. Although the United States and Canada voiced consensus at the International Pacific Halibut Commission's January 2018 annual meeting that some reduction in catch limits relative to 2017 in all areas was appropriate, United States and Canadian Commissioners could not reach consensus on specific catch limit recommendations for 2018. As a result, absent any action by the United States, 2017 catch limits for the U.S. halibut fishery, which do not reflect management needs for the current status of the stock, will remain in place. Thus, through this rule, the Secretary of Commerce is exercising his authority under Article 1 of the Convention and section 773c of the Halibut Act to establish catch limit regulations for Area 2A. This rule will implement Area 2A catch limits according to the 2018 Catch Sharing Plan. 
Agency: Department of Commerce(DOC)  Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant 
RIN Status: First time published in the Unified Agenda Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Final Rule Stage 
Major: No  Unfunded Mandates: No 
EO 14192 Designation: Not subject to, not significant 
CFR Citation: 50 CFR 300   
Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.   
Legal Deadline:
Action Source Description Date
Final  Statutory  Catch limits must be in place for the start of the tribal fisheries  03/23/2018 

Overall Description of Deadline: Catch limits must be in place for the start of the tribal fisheries

Timetable:
Action Date FR Cite
Interim Final Rule  05/00/2018 
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No  Government Levels Affected: None 
Small Entities Affected: Businesses  Federalism: No 
Included in the Regulatory Plan: No 
International Impacts: This regulatory action will be likely to have international trade and investment effects, or otherwise be of international interest.
RIN Data Printed in the FR: Yes 
Related RINs: Related to 0648-BH45 
Agency Contact:
Barry Thom
Regional Administrator, West Coast Region
Department of Commerce
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
1201 NE Lloyd Boulevard, Suite 1100,
Portland, OR 97232
Phone:503 231-6266
Email: barry.thom@noaa.gov