50 C.F.R. Subpart I—Coastal Pelagics Fisheries
Title 50 - Wildlife and Fisheries
Source: 64 FR 69893, Dec. 15, 1999, unless otherwise noted.
This subpart implements the Fishery Management Plan for Coastal Pelagic Species (FMP). These regulations govern commercial fishing for CPS in the EEZ off the coasts of Washington, Oregon, and California. In addition to the definitions in the Magnuson-Stevens Act and in §600.10 of this chapter, the terms used in this subpart have the following meanings: Actively managed species (AMS) means those CPS for which the Secretary has determined that harvest guidelines or quotas are needed by Federal management according to the provisions of the FMP. Advisory Subpanel (AP) means the Coastal Pelagic Species Advisory Subpanel that comprises members of the fishing industry and public appointed by the Council to review proposed actions for managing the coastal pelagic fisheries. Biomass means the estimated amount, by weight, of a coastal pelagic species population. The term biomass means total biomass (age 1 and above) unless stated otherwise. Coastal pelagic species (CPS) means northern anchovy (Engraulis mordax), Pacific mackerel (Scomber japonicus), Pacific sardine (Sardinops sagax), jack mackerel (Trachurus symmetricus), and market squid (Loligo opelescens). Coastal Pelagic Species Management Team (CPSMT) means the individuals appointed by the Council to review, analyze, and develop management measures for the CPS fishery. Comparable capacity means gross tonnage plus 10 percent of the vessel's calculated gross tonnage. Council means the Pacific Fishery Management Council, including its CPSMT, AP, Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC), and any other committee established by the Council. Finfish means northern anchovy, Pacific mackerel, Pacific sardine, and jack mackerel. Fishery Management Area means the EEZ off the coasts of Washington, Oregon, and California between 3 and 200 nautical miles offshore, bounded in the north by the Provisional International Boundary between the United States and Canada, and bounded in the south by the International Boundary between the United States and Mexico. Fishing trip means a period of time between landings when fishing is conducted. Gross tonnage (GT) means gross tonnage as determined by the formula in 46 CFR 69.209(a) for a vessel not designed for sailing (.67×length×breadth×depth/100). A vessel's length, breadth, and depth are those specified on the vessel's certificate of documentation issued by the U.S. Coast Guard or State. Harvest guideline means a specified numerical harvest objective that is not a quota. Attainment of a harvest guideline does not require complete closure of a fishery. Harvesting vessel means a vessel involved in the attempt or actual catching, taking or harvesting of fish, or any activity that can reasonably be expected to result in the catching, taking or harvesting of fish. Initial harvest guideline means a specified numerical harvest objective set at the beginning of the fishing season. Land or Landing means to begin transfer of fish from a fishing vessel. Once transfer begins, all fish onboard the vessel are counted as part of the landing. Limited entry fishery means the commercial fishery consisting of vessels fishing for CPS in the CPS Management Zone under limited entry permits issued under §660.512. Live bait fishery means fishing for CPS for use as live bait in other fisheries. Monitored species (MS) means those CPS the Secretary has determined not to need management by harvest guidelines or quotas according to the provisions of the FMP. Nonreduction fishery means fishing for CPS for use as dead bait or for processing for direct human consumption. Owner, means a person who is identified as the current owner in the Certificate of Documentation (CG–1270) issued by the U.S. Coast Guard for a documented vessel, or in a registration certificate issued by a state or the U.S. Coast Guard for an undocumented vessel. Person, means any individual, corporation, partnership, association or other entity (whether or not organized or existing under the laws of any state), and any Federal, state, or local government, or any entity of any such government that is eligible to own a documented vessel under the terms of 46 U.S.C. 12102(a). Processing or to process means preparing or packaging coastal pelagic species to render the fish suitable for human consumption, pet food, industrial uses or long-term storage, including, but not limited to, cooking, canning, smoking, salting, drying, filleting, freezing, or rendering into meal or oil, but does not mean heading and gutting unless there is additional preparation. Prohibited Species means all species of trout and salmon (Salmonidae) and Pacific halibut (Hippoglossus stenolepis). Quota means a specified numerical harvest objective for a single species of CPS, the attainment (or expected attainment) of which causes the complete closure of the fishery for that species. Reduction fishery means fishing for CPS for the purposes of conversion into fish flour, fish meal, fish scrap, fertilizer, fish oil, other fishery products, or byproducts for purposes other than direct human consumption. Regional Administrator means the Regional Administrator, Southwest Region, NMFS, 501 W. Ocean Boulevard, Suite 4200, Long Beach, CA 90802–4213, or a designee. Reserve means a portion of the harvest guideline or quota set aside at the beginning of the year for specific purposes, such as for individual harvesting groups to ensure equitable distribution of the resource or to allow for uncertainties in preseason estimates of DAP and JVP. Sustainable Fisheries Division (SFD) means the Assistant Regional Administrator for Sustainable Fisheries, Southwest Region, NMFS, or a designee. Totally lost means that the vessel being replaced no longer exists in specie, or is absolutely and irretrievably sunk or otherwise beyond the possible control of the owner, or the costs of repair (including recovery) would exceed the repaired value of the vessel. Trip limit means the total allowable amount of a CPS species by weight or by percentage of weight of fish on board the vessel that may be taken and retained, possessed, or landed from a single fishing trip by a vessel that harvests CPS. [64 FR 69893, Dec. 15, 1999, as amended at 68 FR 3822, Jan. 27, 2003; 71 FR 37001, June 29, 2006] The fishery management area is divided into subareas for the regulation of fishing for CPS, with the following designations and boundaries: (a) CPS Limited Entry Zone means the EEZ between: (1) Northern boundary—at 39°00'00" N. lat. off California; and (2) Southern boundary—the United States-Mexico International Boundary, which is a line connecting the following coordinates: 32°35'22" N. lat., 117°27'49" W. long. 32°37'37" N. lat., 117°49'31" W. long. 31°07'58" N. lat., 118°36'18" W. long. 30°32'31" N. lat., 121°51'58" W. long. (b) Subarea A means the EEZ between: (1) Northern boundary—the United States-Canada Provisional International Boundary, which is a line connecting the following coordinates: 48°29'37.19" N. lat. 124°43'33.19" W. long. 48°30'11" N. lat. 124°47'13" W. long. 48°30'22" N. lat. 124°50'21" W. long. 48°30'14" N. lat. 124°54'52" W. long. 48°29'57" N. lat. 124°59'14" W. long. 48°29'44" N. lat. 125°00'06" W. long. 48°28'09" N. lat. 125°05'47" W. long. 48°27'10" N. lat. 125°08'25" W. long. 48°26'47" N. lat 125°09'12" W. long. 48°20'16" N. lat. 125°22'48" W. long. 48°18'22" N. lat. 125°29'58" W. long. 48°11'05" N. lat. 125°53'48" W. long. 47°49'15" N. lat. 126°40'57" W. long. 47°36'47" N. lat. 127°11'58" W. long. 47°22'00" N. lat. 127°41'23" W. long. 46°42'05" N. lat. 128°51'56" W. long. 46°31'47" N. lat. 129°07'39" W. long.; and (2) Southern boundary—at 39°00'00" N. lat. (Pt. Arena). (c) Subarea B means the EEZ between: (1) Northern boundary—at 39°00'00" N. lat. (Pt. Arena); and (2) Southern boundary—the United States-Mexico International Boundary described in paragraph (a)(2) of this section. [64 FR 69893, Dec. 15, 1999, as amended at 68 FR 52527, Sept. 4, 2003] (a) Official number. Each fishing vessel subject to this subpart must display its official number on the port and starboard sides of the deckhouse or hull, and on an appropriate weather deck so as to be visible from enforcement vessels and aircraft. (b) Numerals. The official number must be affixed to each vessel subject to this subpart in block Arabic numerals at least 14 inches (35.56 cm) in height. Markings must be legible and of a color that contrasts with the background. In addition to the general prohibitions specified in §600.725 of this chapter, it is unlawful for any person to do any of the following: (a) In the CPS Limited Entry Zone, take and retain, possess or land more than 5 mt of CPS finfish, other than live bait, on a harvesting vessel without a limited entry permit. (b) In the CPS Limited Entry Zone, take and retain, possess or land more than 125 mt of CPS finfish on a harvesting vessel. (c) Sell CPS without an applicable commercial state fishery license. (d) Fish in the reduction fishery for CPS in any closed area specified in §660.507. (e) Fish in the reduction fishery for northern anchovy using gear not authorized under §660.506. (f) When fishing for CPS, fail to return a prohibited species to the sea immediately with a minimum of injury. (g) Falsify or fail to affix and maintain vessel markings as required by §660.504. (h) Fish for CPS in violation of any terms or conditions attached to an exempted fishing permit issued under §600.745 of this chapter. (i) When a directed fishery has been closed, take and retain, possess, or land more than the incidental trip limit announced in the (j) Refuse to submit fishing gear or fish subject to such person's control to inspection by an authorized officer, or to interfere with or prevent, by any means, such an inspection. (k) Falsify or fail to make and/or file any and all reports of fishing, landing, or any other activity involving CPS, containing all data, and in the exact manner, required by the applicable State law, as specified in §660.3. (l) Fail to carry aboard a vessel that vessel's limited entry permit issued under §660.512 or exempted fishing permit issued under §660.516. (m) Make a false statement on an application for issuing, renewing, transferring, or replacing a limited entry permit for the CPS fishery. The only fishing gear authorized for use in the reduction fishery for northern anchovy off California are round haul nets that have a minimum wet-stretch mesh size of 10/16 of an inch (1.59 cm) excluding the bag portion of a purse seine. The bag portion must be constructed as a single unit and must not exceed a rectangular area, adjacent to 20 percent of the total corkline of the purse seine. Minimum mesh size requirements are met if a stainless steel wedge can be passed with only thumb pressure through 16 of 20 sets of 2 meshes each of wet mesh. The wedges used to measure trawl mesh size are made of 20 gauge stainless steel and will be no wider than 10/16 of an inch (1.59 cm) less one thickness of the metal at the widest part. The following areas are closed to reduction fishing: (a) Farallon Islands closure (see Figure 1 to this subpart). The portion of Subarea A bounded by— (1) A straight line joining Pigeon Point Light (37°10.9' N. lat., 122°23.6' W. long.) and the U.S. navigation light on Southeast Farallon Island (37°42.0' N. lat., 123°00.1' W. long.); and (2) A straight line joining the U.S. navigation light on Southeast Farallon Island (37°42.0' N. lat., 123°00.1' W. long.) and the U.S. navigation light on Point Reyes (37°59.7' N. lat., 123°01.3' W. long.). (b) Subarea B closures. Those portions of Subarea B described as— (1) Oxnard closure (see Figure 1 to this subpart). The area that extends offshore 4 miles from the mainland shore between lines running 250° true from the steam plant stack at Manadalay Beach (34°12.4' N. lat., 119°15.0' W. long.) and 220° true from the steam plant stack at Ormond Beach (34°07.8' N. lat., 119°10.0' W. long.). (2) Santa Monica Bay closure (see Figure 1 to this subpart). Santa Monica Bay shoreward of that line from Malibu Point (34°01.8' N. lat., 188°40.8' W. long.) to Rocky Point (Palos Verdes Point) (33°46.5' N. lat., 118°25.7' W. long.). (3) Los Angeles Harbor closure (see Figure 1 to this subpart). The area outside Los Angeles Harbor described by a line extending 6 miles 180° true from Point Fermin (33°42.3' N. lat., 118°17.6' W. long.) and then to a point located 3 miles offshore on a line 225° true from Huntington Beach Pier (33°39.2' N. lat., 118°00.3' W. long.). (4) Oceanside to San Diego closure (see Figure 1 to this subpart). The area 6 miles from the mainland shore south of a line running 225° true from the tip of the outer breakwater (33°12.4' N. lat., 117°24.1' W. long.) of Oceanside Harbor to the United States-Mexico International Boundary. (a) The Regional Administrator will determine the harvest guidelines or quotas for all AMS from the estimated biomass and the formulas in the FMP. (b) Harvest guidelines or quotas, including any apportionment between the directed fishery and set-aside for incidental harvest, will be published in the (c) The announcement of each harvest guideline or quota will contain the following information: (1) A summary of the status of AMS and MS; (2) The estimated biomass on which the harvest guideline or quota was determined; (3) The portion, if appropriate, of the harvest guideline or quota set aside to allow for incidental harvests after closure of the directed fishery; (4) The estimated level of the incidental trip limit that will be allowed after the directed fishery is closed; and (5) The allocation, if appropriate, between Subarea A and Subarea B. (d) Harvest guidelines and quotas will receive a public review according to the following procedure: (1) A meeting will be held between the Council's CPSMT and AP, where the estimated biomass and the harvest guideline or quota will be reviewed and public comments received. This meeting will be announced in the (2) All materials relating to the biomass and harvest guideline or quota will be forwarded to the Council and its Scientific and Statistical Committee and will be available to the public from the Regional Administrator. (3) At a regular meeting of the Council, the Council will review the estimated biomass and harvest guideline or quota and offer time for public comment. If the Council requests a revision, justification must be provided. (4) The Regional Administrator will review the Council's recommendations, justification, and public comments and base his or her final decision on the requirements of the FMP. (a) When the annual harvest guideline for either Pacific sardine or Pacific mackerel is reached, the directed fishery for Pacific sardine or Pacific mackerel shall be closed until the beginning of the next fishing season as stated in §660.510 (a) and (b). The Regional Administrator shall announce in the (b) When the allocation and reallocation levels for Pacific sardine in §660.511 (f)-(h) are reached, the Pacific sardine fishery shall be closed until either it re-opens per the allocation scheme in §660.511 (g) and (h) or the beginning of the next fishing season as stated in §660.510 (a). The Regional Administrator shall announce in the [71 FR 37001, June 29, 2006] (a) All CPS harvested shoreward of the outer boundary of the EEZ (0–200 nautical miles off shore) will be counted toward the catch limitations specified in this section. (b) The trip limit for harvesting vessels fishing in the CPS Limited Entry Zone for CPS other than live bait without a limited entry permit is 5 mt tons of all CPS finfish combined. (c)The trip limit for vessels with a limited entry permit on a fishing trip in which the vessel fishes or lands fish in the Limited Entry Zone is 125 mt of all CPS finfish combined. (d) After the directed fishery for a CPS is closed under §660.509, no person may take and retain, possess or land more of that species than the incidental trip limit set by the Regional Administrator. (e) While fishing for CPS, all species of trout and salmon (Salmonidae) and Pacific halibut (Hippoglossus stenolepis) are prohibited species and must be released immediately with a minimum of injury. (f) On January 1, 35 percent of the initial harvest guideline for Pacific sardine is allocated coastwide within the fishery management area. (g) On July 1, 40 percent of the initial harvest guideline for Pacific sardine plus the remaining unharvested portion of the January 1 allocation in (f) is allocated coastwide within the fishery management area. (h) On September 15, 25 percent of the initial harvest guideline for Pacific sardine plus the remaining unharvested portion of the July 1 allocation is allocated coastwide within the fishery management area. [64 FR 69893, Dec. 15, 1999, as amended at 68 FR 52527, Sept. 4, 2003; 71 FR 37001, June 29, 2006] (a) General. (1) This section applies to fishing for or landing CPS finfish in the limited entry fishery in the Limited Entry Zone. (2) Effective January 1, 2000, the owner of a vessel with more than 5 mt of CPS finfish on board in the CPS Limited Entry Zone, other than live bait, must have a limited entry permit registered for use with that vessel. (3) Only a person eligible to own a documented vessel under the terms of 46 U.S.C. 12102(a) qualifies to be issued or may hold, by ownership or otherwise, a limited entry permit. (b) Initial qualification. (1) A limited entry permit for a vessel will be issued only if that vessel landed 100 mt of CPS finfish from January 1, 1993, through November 5, 1997. (2) A limited entry permit will be issued only to the current owner of the vessel, unless: (i) The previous owner of a vessel qualifying for a permit, by the express terms of a written contract, reserved the right to the limited entry permit, in which case the limited entry permit will be issued to the previous owner based on the catch history of the qualifying vessel, or (ii) A vessel that would have qualified for a limited entry permit was totally lost prior to issuance of a limited entry permit. In this case, the owner of the vessel at the time it was lost retains the right to a permit for a replacement vessel, unless the owner conveyed the right to another person by the express terms of a written contract. The lost vessel must be replaced within 2 years of the date that the qualifying vessel was lost, and the replaced vessel must be of equal or less net tonnage. (c) Documentation and burden of proof. A vessel owner (or person holding limited entry rights under the express terms of a written contract as specified in paragraph (a)(2)) of this section applying for issuance, renewal, transfer, or registration of a limited entry permit must prove that the qualification requirements are met by submitting the following documentation: (1) A certified copy of the vessel's documentation as a fishing vessel of the United States (U.S. Coast Guard or state) is the best evidence of vessel ownership; (2) A certified copy of a state fish landing receipt is the best evidence of a landing of a vessel; (3) A copy of a written contract reserving or conveying limited entry rights is the best evidence of reserved or acquired rights; and (4) Other relevant, credible evidence that the applicant may wish to submit or that the SFD may request or require. (d) Fees. The Regional Administrator may charge fees to cover administrative expenses related to issuing limited entry permits, as well as renewing, transferring, and replacing permits. The amount of the fee is calculated in accordance with the procedures of the NOAA Finance Handbook for determining the administrative costs of each special product or service. The fee may not exceed such costs and is specified with each application form. The appropriate fee must accompany each application. (e) Initial decisions. (1) The SFD will make initial decisions regarding issuing, renewing, transferring, and registering limited entry permits. (2) Adverse decisions shall be in writing and shall state the reasons for the adverse decision. (3) The SFD may decline to act on an application for issuing, renewing, transferring, or registering a limited entry permit and will notify the applicant, if the permit sanction provisions of the Magnuson-Stevens Act at 16 U.S.C. 1858(a) and implementing regulations at 15 CFR part 904, subpart D, apply. (f) Initial issuance. (1) The SFD will issue limited entry permits. (2) In order to receive a final decision on a limited entry permit application before January 1, 2000, an applicant must submit the application to the SFD on or before February 14, 2000. (3) A separate, complete, and accurate application form, accompanied by any required supporting documentation and the appropriate fee, must be submitted for each vessel for which a limited entry permit is sought. (4) Upon receipt of an incomplete or improperly executed application, the SFD will notify the applicant of the deficiency. If the applicant fails to correct the deficiency within 30 days following the date of notification, the application will be considered void. (5) The SFD may request further documentation before acting on an application. (6) The SFD will not accept applications for a limited entry permit after July 1, 2000. (g) Appeals. (1) Any applicant for an initial permit may appeal the initial issuance decision to the Regional Administrator. To be considered by the Regional Administrator, such appeal must be in writing and state the reasons for the appeal, and must be submitted within 30 days of the action by the Regional Administrator. The appellant may request an informal hearing on the appeal. (2) Upon receipt of an appeal authorized by this section, the Regional Administrator will notify the permit applicant, or permit holder as appropriate, and will request such additional information and in such form as will allow action upon the appeal. (3) Upon receipt of sufficient information, the Regional Administrator will decide the appeal in accordance with the permit eligibility criteria set forth in this section and in the FMP, as appropriate, based upon information relative to the application on file at NMFS and the Council and any additional information submitted to or obtained by the Regional Administrator, the summary record kept of any hearing and the hearing officer's recommended decision, if any, and such other considerations as the Regional Administrator deems appropriate. The Regional Administrator will notify all interested persons of the decision, and the reasons therefor, in writing, normally within 30 days of the receipt of sufficient information, unless additional time is needed for a hearing. (4) If a hearing is requested or if the Regional Administrator determines that one is appropriate, the Regional Administrator may grant an informal hearing before a hearing officer designated for that purpose after first giving notice of the time, place, and subject matter of the hearing to the applicant. The appellant and, at the discretion of the hearing officer, other interested persons may appear personally or be represented by counsel at the hearing and submit information and present arguments as determined appropriate by the hearing officer. Within 30 days of the last day of the hearing, the hearing officer shall recommend in writing a decision to the Regional Administrator. (5) The Regional Administrator may adopt the hearing officer's recommended decision, in whole or in part, or may reject or modify it. In any event, the Regional Administrator will notify interested persons of the decision, and the reason(s) therefore, in writing, within 30 days of receipt of the hearing officer's recommended decision. The Regional Administrator's action shall constitute final action for the agency for the purposes of the APA. (6) Any time limit prescribed in this section may be extended for a period not to exceed 30 days by the Regional Administrator for good cause, either upon his or her own motion or upon written request from the appellant stating the reason(s) therefore. (h) Issuance of new permits. (1) When the aggregate gross tonnage of all vessels participating in the limited entry fishery declines below 5,650.9 metric tons (mt), the Council will review the status of the fishery, taking into consideration: (i) The changes in gross tonnage that have and are likely to occur in the transfer of limited entry permits; (ii) The actual harvesting capacity as experienced in the current fishery in comparison to the capacity goal; (iii) Comments of the CPSMT; (iv) Any other relevant factors related to maintaining the capacity goal. (2) Following its review, the Council will recommend to NMFS whether additional permit(s) should be issued and if the new permit(s) should be temporary or permanent. The issuance of new permit(s) shall be based on the following: (i) The qualifying criteria in paragraph (b) of this section, but vessels that were issued a permit before December 31, 2000, are not eligible. (ii) If no vessel meets the qualifying criteria in paragraph (b), then the permit(s) will be issued to the vessel(s) with total landings nearest 100 mt during the qualifying period of paragraph (b). (iii) No vessel will be issued a permit under this paragraph (h) that is currently registered for use with a permit. (3) The Regional Administrator will review the Council's recommendation and determine whether issuing additional permit(s) is consistent with the FMP and with paragraph (h)(2) of this section. If issuing additional permit(s) is appropriate, the Regional Administrator will: (i) Issue the appropriate number of permits consistent with the Council's recommendation; and (ii) Publish a document in the [64 FR 69893, Dec. 15, 1999, as amended at 68 FR 3822, Jan. 27, 2003] (a) A limited entry permit expires on failure to renew the limited entry permit as specified in §660.515. (b) A limited entry permit may not be used with a vessel unless it is registered for use with that vessel. Limited entry permits will be registered for use with a particular vessel at the time the permit is issued, renewed, or transferred. (c) Limited entry permits issued or applied for under this subpart are subject to sanctions pursuant to the Magnuson-Stevens Act, 16 U.S.C. 1858(g), and 15 CFR part 904, subpart D. (a) General. (1) The SFD will process applications for transferring limited entry permits to a different owner and/or to a different vessel according to this section. (2) After January 27, 2003, the SFD will issue a limited entry permit to the owner of each vessel permitted to participate in the limited entry fishery for CPS. This permit will replace the existing permit and will include the gross tonnage of the vessel, which will constitute an endorsement for that vessel for the purpose of regulating the transfer of limited entry permits. (b) Criteria. (1) When the aggregate gross tonnage of all vessels participating the limited entry fishery is at or below 5,650.9 mt, a permit may be transferred to a different owner or to a different vessel in the following circumstances only: (i) A permit may be transferred to a vessel without a permit if the vessel without a permit has a comparable capacity to the capacity on the permit or is less than comparable capacity on the permit. (ii) When a permit is transferred to a vessel without a permit that has less gross tonnage than that of the permitted vessel, the excess gross tonnage may not be separated from the permit and applied to a second vessel. (iii) A permit may be transferred to a vessel without a permit that is of greater than comparable capacity only if two or more permits are transferred to the vessel without a permit to equal the gross tonnage of the vessel. The number of permits required will be determined by adding together the comparable capacity of all permits being transferred. Any gross tonnage in excess of that needed for a vessel remains with the permit. (2) When a vessel with multiple permits leaves the fishery, the permits may be sold separately and applied to other vessels according to the criteria in this section. (c) Stipulations. (1) The gross tonnage endorsement of a permit is integral to the permit for the duration of the permit, regardless of the gross tonnage of any vessel to which the permit is transferred. (2) Permits may be used only on the vessel for which they are registered by the SFD. All permits that authorize a vessel to operate in the limited entry fishery must be on board the vessel during any fishing trip on which CPS is harvested or is on board. (3) A permit may be transferred only once during a calendar year. (d) Vessel alterations. (1) A permitted vessel's length, breadth, or depth may be altered to increase the gross tonnage of the vessel only if the aggregate gross tonnage of all vessels participating in the limited entry fishery equals, or is below 5,650.9 mt, and only under the following conditions: (i) The gross tonnage of the altered vessel, calculated according to the formula in 46 CFR 69.209(a), does not exceed 110 percent of the vessel's original gross tonnage endorsement, and (ii) A new certificate of documentation is obtained from the U.S. Coast Guard or State. Modifications exceeding 110 percent of the vessel's gross tonnage endorsement will require registration of the vessel under an additional permit or permits or under a permit with a sufficient gross tonnage endorsement. (2) A copy of the certificate of documentation indicating changes in length, depth, or breadth must be provided to the SFD. (3) The revised gross tonnage will not be valid as an endorsement until a revised permit is issued by the SFD. (e) Applications. (1) All requests for the transfer of a limited entry permit will be made to the SFD in writing and shall contain the following information: (i) Name, address, and phone number of the owner of the permitted vessel. (ii) Name of the permitted vessel and documentation number of the vessel. (iii) Name, address, and phone number of the owner of the vessel to which the permit is to be transferred. (iv) Name and documentation number of the vessel to which the permit is to be transferred. (v) Signature(s) of the owner(s) of the vessels participating in the transfer. (vi) Any other information that the SFD may request. (2) No permit transfer is effective until the transfer has been authorized by the SFD. (f) Capacity reduction. (1) When the aggregate gross tonnage of the limited entry fleet reaches 5,933.5 mt, a permit may be transferred to a vessel without a permit only if the vessel without a permit is of the same or less gross tonnage. (2) When the aggregate gross tonnage of the limited entry fleet reaches 5,933.5 mt, alterations in the length, depth, or breadth of a permitted vessel may not result in an increase in the gross tonnage of the vessel. [68 FR 3823, Jan. 27, 2003] (a) Each limited entry permit must be renewed by January 1 of even numbered years. (b) The SFD will send notices to renew limited entry permits to the most recent address of the permit holder. (c) The permit owner must provide SFD with notice of any address change within 15 days of the change. (d) The permit holder must submit applications for renewal of a permit on forms available from the SFD. (e) The permit owner is responsible for renewing a limited entry permit. (f) An expired permit cannot be used to fish for CPS in the limited entry fishery. (a) General. In the interest of developing an efficient and productive fishery for CPS, the Regional Administrator may issue exempted fishing permits (EFP) for the harvest of CPS that otherwise would be prohibited. (b) No exempted fishing for CPS may be conducted unless authorized by an EFP issued for the participating vessel in accordance with the criteria and procedures specified in §600.745 of this chapter. (a) General. NMFS will establish and adjust specifications and management measures in accordance with procedures and standards in Amendment 8 to the FMP. (b) Annual actions. Annual specifications are developed and implemented according to §660.508. (c) Routine management measures. Consistent with section. 2.1 of Amendment 8 to the FMP, management measures designated as routine may be adjusted during the year after recommendation from the Council, approval by NMFS, and publication in the (d) Changes to the regulations. Regulations under this subpart may be promulgated, removed, or revised. Any such action will be made according to the framework measures in section 2 of Amendment 8 to the FMP and will be published in the (a) Pacific Coast treaty Indian tribes have treaty rights to harvest CPS in their usual and accustomed fishing areas in U.S. waters. (b) For the purposes of this section, “Pacific Coast treaty Indian tribes” and their “usual and accustomed fishing areas” are described at §660.324(b) and (c). (c) Boundaries of a tribe's fishing area may be revised as ordered by a Federal court. (d) Procedures. The rights referred to in paragraph (a) of this section will be implemented in accordance with the procedures and requirements of the framework contained in Amendment 9 to the FMP and in this Subpart. (1) The Secretary, after consideration of the tribal request, the recommendation of the Council, and the comments of the public, will implement Indian fishing rights. (2) The rights will be implemented either through an allocation of fish that will be managed by the tribes or through regulations that will apply specifically to the tribal fisheries. (3) An allocation or a regulation specific to the tribes shall be initiated by a written request from a Pacific Coast treaty Indian tribe to the NMFS Southwest Regional Administrator at least 120 days prior to the start of the fishing season as specified at §660.510 and will be subject to public review according to the procedures in §660.508(d). (4) The Regional Administrator will announce the annual tribal allocation at the same time as the annual specifications. (e) The Secretary recognizes the sovereign status and co-manager role of Indian tribes over shared Federal and tribal fishery resources. Accordingly, the Secretary will develop tribal allocations and regulations in consultation with the affected tribe(s) and, insofar as possible, with tribal consensus. [66 FR 44987, Aug. 27, 2001] All fishing vessels operating in the coastal pelagic species fishery, including catcher/processors, at-sea processors, and vessels that harvest in Washington, Oregon, or California and land catch in another area, may be required to accommodate NMFS- certified observers aboard to collect scientific data. An observer program will be considered only for circumstances where other data collection methods are deemed insufficient for management of the fishery. Any observer program will be implemented in accordance with §660.517. [66 FR 44987, Aug. 27, 2001]
Title 50: Wildlife and Fisheries
PART 660—FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES
Subpart I—Coastal Pelagics Fisheries
§ 660.501 Purpose and scope.
§ 660.502 Definitions.
§ 660.503 Management subareas.
§ 660.504 Vessel identification.
§ 660.505 Prohibitions.
§ 660.506 Gear restrictions.
§ 660.507 Closed areas to reduction fishing.
§ 660.508 Annual specifications.
§ 660.509 Closure of directed fishery.
§ 660.511 Catch restrictions.
§ 660.512 Limited entry fishery.
§ 660.513 Permit conditions.
§ 660.514 Transferability.
§ 660.515 Renewal of limited entry permits.
§ 660.516 Exempted fishing.
§ 660.517 Framework for revising regulations.
§ 660.518 Pacific Coast Treaty Indian Rights.
§ 660.519 Scientific observers.
Figure 1 to Subpart I of Part 660—Existing California Area Closures (hatched areas extend to 3 miles offshore; cross-hatched areas extend beyond 3 miles offshore) and Optional Catalina Channel Foreign Vessel Closure (outlined by dashed lines)
