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DOC/NOAA RIN: 0648-BN47 Publication ID: Spring 2025 
Title: ●Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Fisheries Off West Coast States; Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery; 2025 Harvest Specifications for Pacific Whiting, and 2025 Pacific Whiting Tribal Allocation 
Abstract:

This rule would establish the 2025 harvest specifications and allocations for Pacific Whiting.  Through this rulemaking, NMFS would announce the intent to establish a U.S. Total Allowable Catch (TAC) level determined under the terms of the Agreement with Canada on Pacific Hake/Whiting (Agreement) and the Pacific Whiting Act of 2006 (Whiting Act) and apply the interim percent allocation for the Tribal fishery and set-asides (off the top deductions) for research and bycatch to determine the fishery harvest guideline, called the non-Tribal allocation, and sector allocations for three commercial whiting sectors. As in prior years, the Tribal allocation is not intended to set a precedent for future years. This action would be implemented pursuant to the rulemaking authority under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA) 304(b) and MSA section 305(d), and the Pacific Whiting Act of 2006. Pursuant to MSA section 304(b), this action would implement a recommendation from the Pacific Fishery Management Council at their November 2024 meeting for the 2025 Pacific whiting set-aside for research and bycatch. Pursuant to MSA section 305(d), this action would implement the annual Pacific whiting Treaty allocation and is necessary to ensure that the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan is implemented in a manner consistent with treaty rights of four Treaty Tribes to fish in their usual and accustomed grounds and stations in common with non-tribal citizens. United States v. Washington, 384 F. Supp. 313 (W.D. Wash. 1974). Pursuant to the Pacific Whiting Act of 2006, this action would announce the U.S. TAC level, and subsequent non-discretionary sector allocations. The harvest specifications that would be implemented by this action would be in effect for the Pacific Whiting fishery that opens May 01, 2025 through December 31, 2025.   

 
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: Fully or Partially Exempt 
CFR Citation: 50 CFR 660   
Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.   
Legal Deadline:  None
Timetable:
Action Date FR Cite
NPRM  04/15/2025  90 FR 15675   
NPRM Comment Period End  04/30/2025 
Final Action  07/00/2025 
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: YES  Government Levels Affected: None 
Small Entities Affected: Businesses  Federalism: No 
Included in the Regulatory Plan: No 
RIN Data Printed in the FR: Yes 
Agency Contact:
Jennifer Quan
Regional Administrator - West Coast Region
Department of Commerce
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
DC 20230
Phone:562 980-4001
Email: jennifer.quan@noaa.gov