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Final Rule for 2023-24 Groundfish Harvest Specifications and Management Measures
Effective January 1, 2023
 NOAA Fisheries announces a final rule for the 2023-24 Pacific Coast Groundfish Harvest Specifications and Management Measures (Amendment 30) published today in the Federal Register. This final rule is effective January 1, 2023.
Please visit our website for more information such as the compliance guide and final environmental assessment.
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What is included in the final rule?
This final rule:
- Establishes the 2023-24 harvest specifications for groundfish caught in the U.S. exclusive economic zone seaward of Washington, Oregon, and California;
- Revises management measures intended to keep the total annual catch of each groundfish stock or stock complex within the annual catch limits; and
- Makes minor corrections to the regulations.
These final measures are intended to help prevent overfishing, rebuild overfished stocks, achieve optimum yield, and ensure management measures are based on the best scientific information available.
This action also implements portions of Amendment 30 to the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan, which:
- Specifies a shortbelly rockfish catch threshold to initiate Council review;
- Extends the length of the limited entry fixed gear sablefish primary season;
- Changes the use of Rockfish Conservation Area boundaries;
- Expands the use of Block Area Closures to control catch of groundfish; and
- Corrects the definition of Block Area Closures.
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Questions?
Contact Gretchen Hanshew, Fishery Management Specialist, at (206) 526-6147
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Fishery Bulletins and Notices
Visit NOAA Fisheries' Rules & Regulations directory to learn more about recent federal management actions affecting managed fish species on the West Coast.
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