0648-BN95 202504 Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions 0648 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NOAA 0600 Department of Commerce DOC Cordell Bank Groundfish Conservation Area Revisions

In accordance with a recommendation from the Council, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is proposing to open the Cordell Bank Groundfish Conservation Area (GCA) off the coast of central California, and implement a new Groundfish Exclusion Area (GEA) over a portion of the existing GCA footprint to protect sensitive habitat. This action would result in a net opening of approximately 40 square miles of historically important fishing grounds to California fishermen while still protecting sensitive rocky reef habitat in the Cordell Bank area. This action would also decrease regulatory complexity and address enforcement challenges associated with other overlapping closures in the area.

]]> Substantive, Nonsignificant First Time Published in The Unified Agenda Proposed Rule Stage No No Not subject to, not significant 50 CFR 660 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. No NPRM 07/00/2025 YES Businesses None No No Yes No Jennifer Quan Regional Administrator - West Coast Region 0648 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NOAA 562 980-4001 jennifer.quan@noaa.gov DC 20230