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The Pacific Fishery Management Council has changed the designation of two overfished species--Darkblotched rockfish and Pacific Ocean Perch--within the at-sea sectors of the Pacific whiting fishery from allocations (i.e., "hard caps") to sector specific set asides (i.e., "soft-caps"), using the formal allocation structure from Amendment 21. In relation to this designation change, this action is intended to substantially reduce the risk of the at-sea sectors not attaining their respective whiting allocations due to the incidental catch of darkblotched rockfish or Pacific Ocean Perch. The action will be in place for the 2018 fishing season, and is intended to be an interim solution to address the immediate needs of the at-sea sectors as they encounter darkblotched rockfish or Pacific Ocean Perch bycatch. Discussions on long-term solutions are ongoing.