Federal Register #Docket No. 260717-0173

Final Rule: Amendment 36 to Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan – Regulatory Changes and Cost Recovery Program

This final rule from the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), part of NOAA under the Department of Commerce, implements Amendment 36 to the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan. - Government Buyer: - National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Department of Commerce, NOAA, West Coast Region - Affected Parties: - Vessels and permit owners with Limited Entry Fixed Gear (LEFG) permits in the Pacific Coast groundfish fishery - Key Regulatory Changes: - Increased flexibility for LEFG permits: use of any legal non-trawl groundfish gear except entangling nets - Removal of base permit designation for LEFG permits - Elimination of start and end times for the primary sablefish season - Establishment of a cost recovery program for the LEFG primary sablefish fishery - Mandatory fee collection up to 3% of ex-vessel value of sablefish landed - Fee covers management, data collection, analysis, and enforcement costs - Compliance begins no earlier than December 1, 2027, after NMFS completes implementation steps - Notable Requirements: - No products or OEMs are specified; this is a regulatory action, not a procurement - Cost recovery program is a new mandatory requirement for permit holders - No products or services are being procured or awarded; no vendors or OEMs are mentioned

Description

This final rule implements regulations for amendment 36 to the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan. It includes management measures for vessels registered to limited entry fixed gear (LEFG) endorsed permits in the Pacific Coast groundfish fishery. The rule adds flexibility to LEFG permits' gear endorsements, removes the base permit designation, removes start and end times for the primary sablefish season, and develops a cost recovery program for the LEFG primary sablefish fishery. The purpose is to increase flexibility for LEFG participants, reduce administrative burdens, and meet requirements of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act.

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