The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Announces Clarification
to the Boundaries for the Trawl Rockfish Conservation Area (RCA)
in the Area off California between 38°00.00' N. lat. and the U.S. Border with Mexico

NMFS provided contradictory regulations for the trawl RCA boundaries off California in our Emergency Rule to implement Pacific Coast Groundfish Specifications and Management Measures for January 1 - February 29, 2004 (69 FR 1322, January 8, 2004). The emergency rule stated that between 38°00.00' N. lat. and the U.S. border with Mexico, the trawl RCA extends between specific latitude and longitude coordinates approximating the 75 fathom depth contour and specific latitude and longitude coordinates approximating the 150 fathom depth contour along the mainland coast as well as extending between the shoreline and specific latitude and longitude coordinates approximating the 150 fathom depth contour around islands. Between 38°00.00' N. lat. and 34°27.00' N. lat., the Farallon Islands occur in shallow water (approximately 50 fathoms). Applying the "around islands" trawl RCA to the Farallon Islands essentially prohibits trawling along the mainland coast between the shoreline and specific latitude and longitude coordinates approximating the 150 fathom depth contour, thus, conflicting with
provisions regarding the "mainland coast" trawl RCA which extends between specific latitude and longitude coordinates approximating the 75 fathom depth contour and specific latitude and longitude coordinates approximating the 150 fathom depth contour. It was NMFS intent to allow nearshore trawling shoreward of the trawl RCA (i.e., shoreward of specific latitude and longitude coordinates that approximate the 75 fathom depth contour), therefore, a clarification to the emergency rule is being drafted to apply the "around islands" trawl RCA (extending between the shoreline and specific latitude and longitude coordinates approximating the 150 fathom depth contour) only to the area between 34°27.00' N. lat. (Point Conception) and the U.S. border with Mexico.

Therefore, trawling is currently allowed shoreward of the trawl RCA (i.e., shoreward of specific latitude and longitude coordinates that approximate the 75 fathom depth contour) in the area off California between 38°00.00' N. lat. and 34°27.00' N. lat., as defined in 69 FR 1322 (January 8, 2004). Additionally, trawling is prohibited between the shoreline and the 10 fm depth contour around the Farallon Islands.

Please visit our “Groundfish Conservation Areas” webpage for specific latitude and longitude coordinates.
http://www.nwr.noaa.gov/1sustfsh/groundfish/gConservAreas/

A public notice will be distributed when these trawl RCA regulations are clarified in the Federal Register.