50 CFR § 660.350-660.360 - Fisheries of West Coast States - West Coast Groundfish — Recreational Fisheries

327 Fishery Conservation and Management § 660.352 [86 FR 72871, Dec. 23, 2021] Subpart G—West Coast Groundfish—Recreational Fisheries SOURCE: 75 FR 60995, Oct. 1, 2010, unless otherwise noted. § 660.350 Purpose and scope. This subpart covers the Pacific Coast Groundfish recreational fishery. § 660.351 Recreational fishery—defini tions. These definitions are specific to the recreational fisheries covered in this subpart. General groundfish definitions are defined at § 660.11, subpart C. Bag limit means the number of fish available to an angler. Boat limit means the number of fish available to for a vessel or boat. Hook limit means a limit on the num ber of hooks on any given fishing line. Long-leader gear (also known as Holloway gear) means fishing gear with the following: One fishing line, de ployed with a sinker and no more than three hooks, with a minimum of 30 feet (9.14 meters) between the sinker and the lowest hook, and a non-compress ible float attached to the line above the hooks. The gear may be equipped with artificial lures and flies less than or equal to 5 inches in length. Natural bait, and lures or flies greater than 5 inches in length, may not be used. [75 FR 60995, Oct. 1, 2010, as amended at 83 FR 13431, Mar. 29, 2018] § 660.352 Recreational fishery—prohi bitions. These prohibitions are specific to the recreational fisheries. General ground fish prohibitions are found at § 660.12, subpart C. In addition to the general groundfish prohibitions specified in VerDate Sep<11>2014 08:57 Jan 13, 2023 Jkt 256248 PO 00000 Frm 00337 Fmt 8010 Sfmt 8002 Q:\50\50V13.TXT PC31 E R 23 D E 21 .0 12 < /G P H > < ?U S G P O G o W id e? > sf ra tti ni o n LA P JZ K W 1R 2 w ith $ $ JO B 328 50 CFR Ch. VI (10–1–22 Edition) § 660.353 § 600.12, subpart C, of this chapter, it is unlawful for any person to: (a) Sell, offer to sell, or purchase any groundfish taken in the course of rec reational groundfish fishing. (b) Use fishing gear other than hook and-line or spear for recreational fish ing. § 660.353 Recreational fishery—record keeping and reporting. Recordkeeping and reporting require ments at § 660.13 (a) through (c), sub part C, apply to the recreational fish ery. § 660.360 Recreational fishery—man agement measures. (a) General. Federal recreational groundfish regulations are not in tended to supersede any more restric tive state recreational groundfish regu lations relating to federally-managed groundfish. The bag limits include fish taken in both state and Federal waters. (b) Gear restrictions. The only types of fishing gear authorized for recreational fishing are hook-and-line and spear. Spears may be propelled by hand or by mechanical means. More fishery-spe cific gear restrictions may be required by state as noted in paragraph (c) of this section (e.g., California’s rec reational ‘‘other flatfish’’ fishery). (c) State-specific recreational fishery management measures. Federal rec reational groundfish regulations are not intended to supersede any more re strictive State recreational groundfish regulations relating to federally-man aged groundfish. Off the coast of Wash ington, Oregon, and California, boat limits apply, whereby each fisher aboard a vessel may continue to use angling gear until the combined daily limits of groundfish for all licensed and juvenile anglers aboard has been at tained (additional state restrictions on boat limits may apply). (1) Washington. For each person en gaged in recreational fishing off the coast of Washington, the groundfish bag limit is 9 groundfish per day, in cluding rockfish, cabezon and lingcod. Within the groundfish bag limit, there are sub-limits for rockfish, lingcod, and cabezon outlined in paragraph (c)(1)(i)(D) of this section. In addition to the groundfish bag limit of 9, there will be a flatfish limit of 5 fish, not to be counted towards the groundfish bag limit but in addition to it. The rec reational groundfish fishery will open the second Saturday in March through the third Saturday in October for all species. In the Pacific halibut fisheries, retention of groundfish is governed in part by annual management measures for Pacific halibut fisheries, which are published in the FEDERAL REGISTER. The following seasons, closed areas, sub-limits and size limits apply: (i) Recreational groundfish conserva tion areas off Washington—(A) North coast recreational yelloweye rockfish con servation area. Recreational fishing for groundfish and halibut is prohibited within the North Coast Recreational Yelloweye Rockfish Conservation Area (YRCA). It is unlawful for recreational fishing vessels to take and retain, pos sess, or land groundfish taken with rec reational gear within the North Coast Recreational YRCA. A vessel fishing in the North Coast Recreational YRCA may not be in possession of any groundfish. Recreational vessels may transit through the North Coast Rec reational YRCA with or without groundfish on board. The North Coast Recreational YRCA is defined by lati tude and longitude coordinates speci fied at § 660.70, subpart C. (B) South coast recreational yelloweye rockfish conservation area. Recreational fishing for groundfish and halibut is al lowed within the South Coast Rec reational YRCA. The South Coast Rec reational YRCA is defined by latitude and longitude coordinates specified at § 660.70, subpart C. (C) Westport offshore recreational yelloweye rockfish conservation area. Recreational fishing for groundfish and halibut is allowed within the Westport Offshore Recreational YRCA. The Westport Offshore Recreational YRCA is defined by latitude and longitude co ordinates specified at § 660.70, subpart C. (D) Recreational rockfish conservation area. Fishing for groundfish with rec reational gear is prohibited within the recreational RCA unless otherwise stated. It is unlawful to take and re tain, possess, or land groundfish taken with recreational gear within the rec reational RCA unless otherwise stated. VerDate Sep<11>2014 08:57 Jan 13, 2023 Jkt 256248 PO 00000 Frm 00338 Fmt 8010 Sfmt 8002 Q:\50\50V13.TXT PC31sf ra tti ni o n LA P JZ K W 1R 2 w ith $ $ JO B 329 Fishery Conservation and Management § 660.360 A vessel fishing in the recreational RCA may not be in possession of any groundfish unless otherwise stated. [For example, if a vessel participates in the recreational salmon fishery within the RCA, the vessel cannot be in pos session of groundfish while in the RCA. The vessel may, however, on the same trip fish for and retain groundfish shoreward of the RCA on the return trip to port.] Coordinates approxi mating boundary lines at the 10-fm (18 m) through 100-fm (183-m) depth con tours can be found at § 660.71 through § 660.73. The Washington recreational fishing season structure is as follows: (ii) Rockfish. In areas of the EEZ sea ward of Washington (Washington Ma rine Areas 1–4) that are open to rec reational groundfish fishing, there is a 7 rockfish per day bag limit. Taking and retaining yelloweye rockfish is prohibited in all Marine areas. (iii) Cabezon. In areas of the EEZ sea ward of Washington (Washington Ma rine Areas 1–4) that are open to rec reational groundfish fishing, there is a 1 cabezon per day bag limit. (iv) Lingcod. In areas of the EEZ sea ward of Washington (Washington Ma rine Areas 1–4) that are open to rec reational groundfish fishing and when the recreational season for lingcod is open, there is a bag limit of 2 lingcod per day. The recreational fishing sea sons for lingcod is open from the sec ond Saturday in March through the third Saturday in October. (2) Oregon—(i) Recreational groundfish conservation areas off Oregon—(A) Stone wall Bank yelloweye rockfish conserva tion area. Recreational fishing for groundfish and halibut is prohibited within the Stonewall Bank YRCA. It is unlawful for recreational fishing ves sels to take and retain, possess, or land groundfish taken with recreational gear within the Stonewall Bank YRCA. A vessel fishing in the Stonewall Bank YRCA may not be in possession of any VerDate Sep<11>2014 08:57 Jan 13, 2023 Jkt 256248 PO 00000 Frm 00339 Fmt 8010 Sfmt 8002 Q:\50\50V13.TXT PC31 E R 11 D E 20 .0 55 < /G P H > sf ra tti ni o n LA P JZ K W 1R 2 w ith $ $ JO B 330 50 CFR Ch. VI (10–1–22 Edition) § 660.360 groundfish. Recreational vessels may transit through the Stonewall Bank YRCA with or without groundfish on board. The Stonewall Bank YRCA, and two possible expansions that are avail able through inseason adjustment, are defined by latitude and longitude co ordinates specified at § 660.70, subpart C. (B) Recreational rockfish conservation area (RCA). Fishing for groundfish with recreational gear is prohibited within the recreational RCA, a type of closed area or groundfish conservation area, except with long-leader gear (as de fined at § 660.351). It is unlawful to take and retain, possess, or land groundfish taken with recreational gear within the recreational RCA, except with long-leader gear (as defined at § 660.351). A vessel fishing in the recreational RCA may not be in possession of any groundfish. [For example, if a vessel fishes in the recreational salmon fish ery within the RCA, the vessel cannot be in possession of groundfish while within the RCA. The vessel may, how ever, on the same trip fish for and re tain groundfish shoreward of the RCA on the return trip to port.] Off Oregon, from January 1 through December 31, recreational fishing for groundfish is allowed in all depths. Coordinates ap proximating boundary lines at the 10 fm (18 m) through 100-fm (183-m) depth contours can be found at § 660.71 through § 660.73. (C) Essential fish habitat conservation areas. The Essential Fish Habitat Con servation Areas (EFHCAs) are closed areas, defined by specific latitude and longitude coordinates at §§ 660.76 through 660.79, where specified types of fishing are prohibited. Prohibitions ap plying to specific EFHCAs are found at § 660.12. (ii) Seasons. Recreational fishing for groundfish is open from January 1 through December 31, subject to the closed areas described in paragraph (c) of this section. (iii) Bag limits, size limits. For each person engaged in recreational fishing off the coast of Oregon, the following bag limits apply: (A) Marine fish. The bag limit is 10 marine fish per day, which includes rockfish, kelp greenling, cabezon and other groundfish species. The bag limit of marine fish excludes Pacific halibut, salmonids, tuna, perch species, stur geon, sanddabs, flatfish, lingcod, striped bass, hybrid bass, offshore pe lagic species and baitfish (herring, smelt, anchovies and sardines). The minimum size for cabezon retained in the Oregon recreational fishery is 16 in (41 cm) total length. (B) Lingcod. There is a 3 fish limit per day for lingcod from January 1 through December 31. The minimum size for lingcod retained in the Oregon rec reational fishery is 22 in (56 cm) total length. For vessels using long-leader gear (as defined in § 660.351) and fishing inside the recreational RCA, possession of lingcod is prohibited. (C) Flatfish. There is a 25 fish limit per day for all flatfish, excluding Pa cific halibut, but including all soles, flounders and Pacific sanddabs, from January 1 through December 31. (D) In the Pacific halibut fisheries. Re tention of groundfish is governed in part by annual management measures for Pacific halibut fisheries, which are published in the FEDERAL REGISTER. Between the Columbia River and Hum bug Mountain, during days open to the ‘‘all-depth’’ sport halibut fisheries, when Pacific halibut are onboard the vessel, no groundfish may be taken and retained, possessed or landed, except sablefish, Pacific cod, and other species of flatfish (sole, flounder, sanddab). ‘‘All-depth’’ season days are estab lished in the annual management measures for Pacific halibut fisheries, which are published in the FEDERAL REGISTER and are announced on the NMFS Pacific halibut hotline, 1–800– 662–9825. (E) Taking and retaining yelloweye rockfish is prohibited at all times and in all areas. (3) California. Seaward of California, California law provides that, in times and areas when the recreational fishery is open, there is a 20 fish bag limit for all species of finfish, within which no more than 10 fish of any one species may be taken or possessed by any one person. [Note: There are some excep tions to this rule. The following groundfish species are not subject to a bag limit: Petrale sole, Pacific sanddab and starry flounder.] For groundfish species not specifically mentioned in VerDate Sep<11>2014 08:57 Jan 13, 2023 Jkt 256248 PO 00000 Frm 00340 Fmt 8010 Sfmt 8002 Q:\50\50V13.TXT PC31sf ra tti ni o n LA P JZ K W 1R 2 w ith $ $ JO B 331 Fishery Conservation and Management § 660.360 this paragraph, fishers are subject to the overall 20-fish bag limit for all spe cies of finfish and the depth restric tions at paragraph (c)(3)(i) of this sec tion. Recreational spearfishing for all federally-managed groundfish, is ex empt from closed areas and seasons, consistent with Title 14 of the Cali fornia Code of Regulations. This ex emption applies only to recreational vessels and divers provided no other fishing gear, except spearfishing gear, is on board the vessel. California state law may provide regulations similar to Federal regulations for the following state-managed species: Ocean white fish, California sheephead, and all greenlings of the genus Hexagrammos. Kelp greenling is the only federally managed greenling. Retention of cowcod, yelloweye rockfish, and bronzespotted rockfish, is prohibited in the recreational fishery seaward of California all year in all areas. Reten tion of species or species groups for which the season is closed is prohibited in the recreational fishery seaward of California all year in all areas, unless otherwise authorized in this section. For each person engaged in rec reational fishing in the EEZ seaward of California, the following closed areas, seasons, bag limits, and size limits apply: (i) Recreational groundfish conserva tion areas off California. A Groundfish Conservation Area (GCA), a type of closed area, is a geographic area de fined by coordinates expressed in de grees latitude and longitude. The fol lowing GCAs apply to participants in California’s recreational fishery. (A) Recreational rockfish conservation areas. The recreational RCAs are areas that are closed to recreational fishing for groundfish. Fishing for groundfish with recreational gear is prohibited within the recreational RCA, except that recreational fishing for species in the Other Flatfish complex, petrale sole, and starry flounder is permitted within the recreational RCA as speci fied in paragraph (c)(3)(iv) of this sec tion. It is unlawful to take and retain, possess, or land groundfish taken with recreational gear within the rec reational RCA, unless otherwise au thorized in this section. A vessel fish ing in the recreational RCA may not be in possession of any species prohibited by the restrictions that apply within the recreational RCA. For example, if a vessel fishes in the recreational salmon fishery within the RCA, the vessel can not be in possession of rockfish while in the RCA. The vessel may, however, on the same trip fish for and retain rockfish shoreward of the RCA on the return trip to port. If the season is closed for a species or species group, fishing for that species or species group is prohibited both within the rec reational RCA and shoreward of the recreational RCA, unless otherwise au thorized in this section. Coordinates approximating boundary lines at the 10- fm (18 m) through 100-fm (183-m) depth contours can be found at § 660.71 through § 660.73. The California rec reational fishing season structure and RCA depth boundaries by management area and month are as follows: (1) Between 42° N lat. (California/Or egon border) and 40°10′ N lat. (Northern Management Area), recreational fish ing for all groundfish (except petrale sole, starry flounder, and ‘‘Other Flat fish’’ as specified in paragraph (c)(3)(iv) of this section) is closed from January 1 through April 30; is prohibited sea ward of the boundary line approxi mating the 30 fm (55 m) depth contour along the mainland coast and along is lands and offshore seamounts from May 1 through October 31 (shoreward of 30 fm is open); and is open at all depths from November 1 through December 31. (2) Between 40°10′ N lat. and 38°57.50′ N lat. (Mendocino Management Area), recreational fishing for all groundfish (except petrale sole, starry flounder, and ‘‘Other Flatfish’’ as specified in paragraph (c)(3)(iv) of this section) is closed from January 1 through April 30; prohibited seaward of the boundary line approximating the 30 fm (55 m) depth contour along the mainland coast and along islands and offshore seamounts from May 1 through October 31 (shoreward of 30 fm is open), and is open at all depths from November 1 through December 31. (3) Between 38°57.50′ N lat. and 37°11′ N lat. (San Francisco Management Area), recreational fishing for all groundfish (except petrale sole, starry VerDate Sep<11>2014 08:57 Jan 13, 2023 Jkt 256248 PO 00000 Frm 00341 Fmt 8010 Sfmt 8002 Q:\50\50V13.TXT PC31sf ra tti ni o n LA P JZ K W 1R 2 w ith $ $ JO B 332 50 CFR Ch. VI (10–1–22 Edition) § 660.360 flounder, and ‘‘Other Flatfish’’ as spec ified in paragraph (c)(3)(iv) of this sec tion) is closed from January 1 through March 31; is prohibited seaward of the boundary line approximating the 50 fm (91 m) depth contour along the main land coast and along islands and off shore seamounts from April 1 through December 31 (shoreward of 50 fm is open). Closures around Cordell Bank (see paragraph (c)(3)(i)(C) of this sec tion) also apply in this area. (4) Between 37°11′ N lat. and 34°27′ N lat. (Central Management Area), rec reational fishing for all groundfish (ex cept petrale sole, starry flounder, and ‘‘Other Flatfish’’ as specified in para graph (c)(3)(iv) of this section) is closed from January 1 through March 31; and is prohibited seaward of a boundary line approximating the 50 fm (91 m) depth contour along the mainland coast and along islands and offshore seamounts from April 1 through De cember 31. (5) South of 34°27′ N lat. (Southern Management Area), recreational fish ing for all groundfish (except Cali fornia scorpionfish, ‘‘Other Flatfish,’’ petrale sole, and starry flounder) is closed entirely from January 1 through the last day of February. Recreational fishing for all groundfish (except ‘‘Other Flatfish,’’ petrale sole, and starry flounder, as specified in para graph (c)(3)(iv) of this section) is pro hibited seaward of a boundary line ap proximating the 100 fm (137 m) depth contour from April 1 through December 31 along the mainland coast and along islands and offshore seamounts, except in the CCAs where fishing is prohibited seaward of the 40 fm (73 m) depth con tour when the fishing season is open (see paragraph (c)(3)(i)(B) of this sec tion). (B) Cowcod conservation areas. The latitude and longitude coordinates of the Cowcod Conservation Areas (CCAs) boundaries are specified at § 660.70. In general, recreational fishing for all groundfish is prohibited within the CCAs, except that fishing for petrale sole, starry flounder, and ‘‘Other Flat fish’’ is permitted within the CCAs as specified in paragraph (c)(3)(iv) of this section. However, recreational fishing for the following species is prohibited seaward of the 40 fm (37 m) depth con tour when the season for those species is open south of 34°27′ N lat.: Minor nearshore rockfish, cabezon, kelp greenling, lingcod, California scorpionfish, and shelf rockfish. Reten tion of yelloweye rockfish, bronzespotted rockfish and cowcod is prohibited within the CCA. [Note: Cali fornia state regulations also permit recreational fishing for California sheephead, ocean whitefish, and all greenlings of the genus Hexagrammos shoreward-of the 40 fm (73 m) depth contour in the CCAs when the season for the RCG complex is open south of 34°27′ N lat.] It is unlawful to take and retain, possess, or land groundfish taken within the CCAs, except for spe cies authorized in this section. (C) Cordell Bank. Recreational fishing for groundfish is prohibited in waters less than 100 fm (183 m) around Cordell Bank as defined by specific latitude and longitude coordinates at § 660.70, subpart C, except that recreational fishing for petrale sole, starry flounder, and ‘‘Other Flatfish’’ is permitted around Cordell Bank as specified in paragraph (c)(3)(iv) of this section. (D) Point St. George Yelloweye Rockfish Conservation Area (YRCA). Recreational fishing for groundfish is prohibited within the Point St. George YRCA, as defined by latitude and longitude co ordinates at § 660.70, subpart C, on dates when the closure is in effect. The clo sure is not in effect at this time. This closure may be imposed through inseason adjustment. (E) South reef YRCA. Recreational fishing for groundfish is prohibited within the South Reef YRCA, as de fined by latitude and longitude coordi nates at § 660.70, subpart C, on dates when the closure is in effect. The clo sure is not in effect at this time. This closure may be imposed through inseason adjustment. (F) Reading Rock YRCA. Recreational fishing for groundfish is prohibited within the Reading Rock YRCA, as de fined by latitude and longitude coordi nates at § 660.70, subpart C, on dates when the closure is in effect. The clo sure is not in effect at this time. This closure may be imposed through inseason adjustment. VerDate Sep<11>2014 08:57 Jan 13, 2023 Jkt 256248 PO 00000 Frm 00342 Fmt 8010 Sfmt 8002 Q:\50\50V13.TXT PC31sf ra tti ni o n LA P JZ K W 1R 2 w ith $ $ JO B 333 Fishery Conservation and Management § 660.360 (G) Point Delgada (North) YRCA. Rec reational fishing for groundfish is pro hibited within the Point Delgada (North) YRCA, as defined by latitude and longitude coordinates at § 660.70, subpart C, on dates when the closure is in effect. The closure is not in effect at this time. This closure may be imposed through inseason adjustment. (H) Point Delgada (South) YRCA. Rec reational fishing for groundfish is pro hibited within the Point Delgada (South) YRCA, as defined by latitude and longitude coordinates at § 660.70, subpart C, on dates when the closure is in effect. The closure is not in effect at this time. This closure may be imposed through inseason adjustment. (I) Essential fish habitat conservation areas. The Essential Fish Habitat Con servation Areas (EFHCAs) are closed areas, defined by specific latitude and longitude coordinates at §§ 660.76 through 660.79, subpart C where speci fied types of fishing are prohibited. Prohibitions applying to specific EFHCAs are found at § 660.12, subpart C. (ii) RCG complex. The California rock fish, cabezon, greenling complex (RCG Complex), as defined in state regula tions (Section 1.91, Title 14, California Code of Regulations), includes all rock fish, kelp greenling, rock greenling, and cabezon. This category does not in clude California scorpionfish, also known as ‘‘sculpin’’. (A) Seasons. When recreational fish ing for the RCG complex is open, it is permitted only outside of the rec reational RCAs described in paragraph (c)(3)(i) of this section. (1) Between 42° N lat. (California/Or egon border) and 40°10′ N lat. (North Management Area), recreational fish ing for the RCG complex is open from May 1 through December 31 (i.e., it’s closed from January 1 through April 30). (2) Between 40°10′ N lat. and 38°57.50′ N lat. (Mendocino Management Area), recreational fishing for the RCG Com plex is open from May 1 through De cember 31 (i.e., it’s closed from January 1 through April 30). (3) Between 38°57.50′ N lat. and 37°11′ N lat. (San Francisco Management Area), recreational fishing for the RCG complex is open from April 1 through December 31 (i.e., it’s closed from Janu ary 1 through March 31). (4) Between 37°11′ N lat. and 34°27′ N lat. (Central Management Area), rec reational fishing for the RCG complex is open from April 1 through December 31 (i.e., it’s closed from January 1 through March 31). (5) South of 34°27′ N lat. (Southern Management Area), recreational fish ing for the RCG Complex is open from March 1 through December 31 (i.e., it’s closed from January 1 through the last day in February). (B) Bag limits, hook limits. In times and areas when the recreational season for the RCG Complex is open, there is a limit of 2 hooks and 1 line when fish ing for the RCG complex. The bag limit is 10 RCG Complex fish per day coastwide, with a sub-bag limit of 4 fish for vermilion rockfish, 1 fish for quillback rockfish, and 1 fish for copper rockfish. These sub-bag limits count towards the bag limit for the RCG Complex and are not in addition to that limit. Retention of yelloweye rockfish, bronzespotted rockfish, and cowcod is prohibited. Multi-day limits are authorized by a valid permit issued by California and must not exceed the daily limit multiplied by the value of days in the fishing trip. (C) Size limits. The following size lim its apply: cabezon may be no smaller than 15 in (38 cm) total length; and kelp and other greenling may be no smaller than 12 in (30 cm) total length. (D) Dressing/filleting. Cabezon, kelp greenling, and rock greenling taken in the recreational fishery may not be filleted at sea. Rockfish skin may not be removed when filleting or otherwise dressing rockfish taken in the rec reational fishery. (iii) Lingcod—(A) Seasons. When rec reational fishing for lingcod is open, it is permitted only outside of the rec reational RCAs described in paragraph (c)(3)(i) of this section. (1) Between 42° N lat. (California/Or egon border) and 40°10′ N lat. (Northern Management Area), recreational fish ing for lingcod is open from May 1 through December 31 (i.e., it’s closed from January 1 through April 30). (2) Between 40°10′ N lat. and 38°57.50′ N lat. (Mendocino Management Area), recreational fishing for lingcod is open VerDate Sep<11>2014 08:57 Jan 13, 2023 Jkt 256248 PO 00000 Frm 00343 Fmt 8010 Sfmt 8002 Q:\50\50V13.TXT PC31sf ra tti ni o n LA P JZ K W 1R 2 w ith $ $ JO B 334 50 CFR Ch. VI (10–1–22 Edition) § 660.360 from May 1 through December 31 (i.e., it’s closed from January 1 through April 30). (3) Between 38°57.50′ N lat. and 37°11′ N lat. (San Francisco Management Area), recreational fishing for lingcod is open from April 1 through December 31 (i.e., it’s closed from January 1 through March 31). (4) Between 37°11′ N lat. and 34°27′ N lat. (Central Management Area), rec reational fishing for lingcod is open from April 1 through December 31 (i.e., it’s closed from January 1 through March 31). (5) South of 34°27′ N lat. (Southern Management Area), recreational fish ing for lingcod is open from March 1 through December 31 (i.e., it’s closed from January 1 through the last day in February). (B) Bag limits, hook limits. In times and areas when the recreational season for lingcod is open, there is a limit of 2 hooks and 1 line when fishing for lingcod. Multi-day limits are author ized by a valid permit issued by Cali fornia and must not exceed the daily limit multiplied by the number of days in the fishing trip. (1) The bag limit between 42° N lat. (California/Oregon border) and 40°10′ N lat. (Northern Management Area) is 2 lingcod per day. (2) The bag limit between 40°10′ N lat. and the U.S. border with Mexico (Mendocino Management Area, San Francisco Management Area, Central Management Area, and Southern Man agement Area) is 2 lingcod per day. (C) Size limits. Lingcod may be no smaller than 22 in (56 cm) total length. (D) Dressing/filleting. Lingcod filets may be no smaller than 14 in (36 cm) in length. Each fillet shall bear an intact 1 in (2.6 cm) square patch of skin. (iv) ‘‘Other Flatfish,’’ petrale sole, and starry flounder. Coastwide off Cali fornia, recreational fishing for ‘‘Other Flatfish,’’ petrale sole, and starry flounder, is permitted both shoreward of and within the closed areas de scribed in paragraph (c)(3)(i) of this section. ‘‘Other Flatfish’’ are defined at § 660.11, and include butter sole, curlfin sole, flathead sole, Pacific sanddab, rex sole, rock sole, and sand sole. ‘‘Other Flatfish,’’ are subject to the overall 20 fish bag limit for all species of finfish, of which there may be no more than 10 fish of any one species; there is no daily bag limit for petrale sole, starry flounder and Pacific sanddab. There are no size limits for ‘‘Other Flatfish,’’ petrale sole, and starry flounder. ‘‘Other Flatfish’’, petrale sole, and starry flounder may be filleted at sea. Fillets may be of any size, but must bear intact a one-inch (2.6 cm) square patch of skin. (v) California scorpionfish. California scorpionfish predominately occur south of 40°10′ N. lat. (A) Seasons. When recreational fish ing for California scorpionfish is open, it is permitted only outside of the rec reational RCAs described in paragraph (c)(3)(i) of this section. (1) Between 40°10′ N lat. and 38°57.50′ N lat. (Mendocino Management Area), recreational fishing for California scorpionfish is open from May 1 through December 31 (i.e., it’s closed from January 1 through April 30). (2) Between 38°57.50′ N lat. and 37°11′ N lat. (San Francisco Management Area), recreational fishing for Cali fornia scorpionfish is open from April 1 through December 31 (i.e., it’s closed from January 1 through March 31). (3) Between 37°11′ N lat. and 34°27′ N lat. (Central Management Area), rec reational fishing for California scorpionfish is open from April 1 through December 31 (i.e., it’s closed from January 1 through March 31). (4) South of 34°27′ N lat. (Southern Management Area), recreational fish ing for California scorpionfish is open from January 1 through December 31. (B) Bag limits, hook limits. South of 40°10.00′ N lat., in times and areas where the recreational season for Cali fornia scorpionfish is open there is a limit of 2 hooks and 1 line, the bag limit is 5 California scorpionfish per day. California scorpionfish do not count against the 10 RCG Complex fish per day limit. Multi-day limits are au thorized by a valid permit issued by California and must not exceed the daily limit multiplied by the number of days in the fishing trip. (C) Size limits. California scorpionfish may be no smaller than 10 in (25 cm) total length. (D) Dressing/Filleting. California scorpionfish filets may be no smaller VerDate Sep<11>2014 08:57 Jan 13, 2023 Jkt 256248 PO 00000 Frm 00344 Fmt 8010 Sfmt 8002 Q:\50\50V13.TXT PC31sf ra tti ni o n LA P JZ K W 1R 2 w ith $ $ JO B 335 Fishery Conservation and Management § 660.402 1 The line joining these coordinates is the provisional international boundary of the U.S. EEZ as shown on NOAA/NOS Charts #18480 and #18002. than 5 in (12.8 cm) and must bear an in tact 1 in (2.6 cm) square patch of skin. (d) Salmon bycatch. Recreational fish eries that are not accounted for within pre-season salmon modeling may be closed through automatic action at § 660.60(d)(1)(v) and (vi). [75 FR 60995, Oct. 1, 2010, as amended at 76 FR 11392, Mar. 2, 2011; 76 FR 27559, May 11, 2011; 76 FR 54714, Sept. 2, 2011; 76 FR 79133, Dec. 21, 2011; 77 FR 12504, Mar. 1, 2012; 77 FR 55158, Sept. 7, 2012; 77 FR 63761, Oct. 17, 2012; 78 FR 642, Jan. 3, 2013; 78 FR 26279, May 6, 2013; 80 FR 12601, Mar. 10, 2015; 80 FR 61766, Oct. 14, 2015; 82 FR 9668, Feb. 7, 2017; 82 FR 21951, May 11, 2017; 82 FR 48666, Oct. 19, 2017; 82 FR 60570, Dec. 21, 2017; 83 FR 13431, Mar. 29, 2018; 83 FR 16008, Apr. 13, 2018; 83 FR 48728, Sept. 27, 2018; 83 FR 64014, Dec. 12, 2018; 84 FR 25720, June 4, 2019; 85 FR 79926, Dec. 11, 2020; 86 FR 14386, Mar. 16, 2021; 86 FR 72873, Dec. 23, 2021] EDITORIAL NOTE: At 85 FR 79926, Dec. 11, 2020, § 660.360 was amended in part by revising paragraph (c)(2)(i)(D); however, the amend ment could not be incorporated because that paragraph did not exist. Subpart H—West Coast Salmon Fisheries § 660.401 Purpose and scope. This subpart implements the Fishery Management Plan for Commercial and Recreational Salmon Fisheries Off the Coasts of Washington, Oregon, and California developed by the Pacific Fishery Management Council. These regulations govern the management of West Coast salmon fisheries in the EEZ. § 660.402 Definitions. In addition to the definitions in the Magnuson Act and in § 600.10 of this chapter, the terms used in this subpart have the following meanings: Barbless hook means a hook with a single shank and point, with no sec ondary point or barb curving or pro jecting in any other direction. Where barbless hooks are specified, hooks manufactured with barbs can be made barbless by forcing the point of the barb flat against the main part of the point. Commercial fishing means fishing with troll fishing gear as defined annually under § 660.408, or fishing for the pur pose of sale or barter of the catch. Council means the Pacific Fishery Management Council. Dressed, head-off length of salmon means the shortest distance between the midpoint of the clavicle arch and the fork of the tail, measured along the lateral line while the fish is lying on its side, without resort to any force or mutilation of the fish other than re moval of the head, gills, and entrails. Dressed, head-off salmon means salm on that have been beheaded, gilled, and gutted without further separation of vertebrae, and are either being pre pared for on-board freezing, or are fro zen and will remain frozen until land ed. Fishery management area means the EEZ off the coasts of Washington, Or egon, and California, bounded on the north by the Provisional International Boundary between the United States and Canada, and bounded on the south by the International Boundary between the United States and Mexico. The northeastern, northern, and north western boundaries of the fishery man agement area are as follows: (1) Northeastern boundary—that part of a line connecting the light on Tatoosh Island, WA, with the light on Bonilla Point on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, southerly of the International Boundary between the United States and Canada (at 48°29′37″ N. lat., 124°43′33″ W. long.), and north erly of the point where that line inter sects with the boundary of the U.S. ter ritorial sea. (2) Northern and northwestern bound ary is a line 1 connecting the following coordinates: N. lat. W. long. 48°29′37.19″ 124°43′33.19″ 48°30′11″ 124°47′13″ 48°30′22″ 124°50′21″ 48°30′14″ 124°52′52″ 48°29′57″ 124°59′14″ 48°29′44″ 125°00′06″ 48°28′09″ 125°05′47″ 48°27′10″ 125°08′25″ 48°26′47″ 125°09′12″ 48°20′16″ 125°22′48″ 48°18′22″ 125°29′58″ 48°11′05″ 125°53′48″ 47°49′15″ 126°40′57″ VerDate Sep<11>2014 08:57 Jan 13, 2023 Jkt 256248 PO 00000 Frm 00345 Fmt 8010 Sfmt 8002 Q:\50\50V13.TXT PC31sf ra tti ni o n LA P JZ K W 1R 2 w ith $ $ JO B