Federal Register #0648-BN95

NOAA Revises Groundfish Conservation Area Regulations off Central California

This regulatory action from the Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) revises fishing area regulations off central California: - Government Buyer: - Department of Commerce, NOAA, National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) - No OEMs or commercial vendors are involved, as this is a regulatory rulemaking, not a procurement - Key Regulatory Changes: - Removes the Cordell Bank Groundfish Conservation Area (GCA) for all groundfish fisheries - Establishes a new Groundfish Exclusion Area (GEA) to protect sensitive marine habitat - Implements gear restrictions, including prohibiting large footrope trawl gear in certain areas to prevent seafloor damage - Maintains protections through observer coverage, electronic monitoring, vessel tracking, catch limits, gear limitations, and mandatory use of descending devices for recreational fisheries - Affected Parties: - Commercial and recreational groundfish fisheries (trawl and non-trawl gear types such as pots, bottom longline, hook-and-line) - Notable Requirements: - Focus on balancing increased fishing opportunities with continued ecosystem and habitat protection - Regulatory simplification by removing overlapping closures and clarifying gear restrictions - No products or services are being procured; this is a regulatory update only

Description

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is issuing final regulations to remove the Cordell Bank Groundfish Conservation Area off central California for all groundfish fisheries and implement a new Groundfish Exclusion Area to protect sensitive habitat. This action aims to simplify regulatory complexity associated with overlapping fishery closures in the Cordell Bank area and increase fishing opportunities while protecting the ecosystem. The rule removes the existing conservation area and establishes a new exclusion area with specific gear restrictions to mitigate seafloor damage. The regulations maintain protections through observer coverage, monitoring, and gear limitations to ensure sustainable fishing practices.

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