Commerce Department, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is reopening the Pacific Loggerhead Conservation Area (LCA) closure that became effective on June 1, 2024, because the sea surface temperatures (SSTs) in the Southern California Bight (SCB) for the months of May and June 2024 indicate that SSTs have returned to normal or below normal and that El Ni[ntilde]o conditions are no longer present in the SCB. The LCA prohibits fishing with large-mesh drift gillnet (DGN) gear (>=14 inches mesh) off the coast of southern California east of the 120[deg] W meridian from June 1, 2024, through August 31, 2024. Based on recent observations of SSTs in the SCB along with the Climate Prediction Center (CPC) report related to changing El Ni[ntilde]o conditions, NMFS has determined that reopening the area is warranted.
Document Headings Document headings vary by document type but may contain the following: the agency or agencies that issued and signed a document the number of the CFR title and the number of each part the document amends, proposes to amend, or is directly related to the agency docket number / agency internal file number the RIN which identifies each regulatory action listed in the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions See the Document Drafting Handbook for more details. Department of Commerce National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 660 [Docket No. 031125294-4091-02; RTID 0648-XE041] AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Temporary rule; reopening of closure. SUMMARY: NMFS is reopening the Pacific Loggerhead Conservation Area (LCA) closure that became effective on June 1, 2024, because the sea surface temperatures (SSTs) in the Southern California Bight (SCB) for the months of May and June 2024 indicate that SSTs have returned to normal or below normal and that El Niño conditions are no longer present in the SCB. The LCA prohibits fishing with large-mesh drift gillnet (DGN) gear (≥14 inches mesh) off the coast of southern California east of the 120° W meridian from June 1, 2024, through August 31, 2024. Based on recent observations of SSTs in the SCB along with the Climate Prediction Center (CPC) report related to changing El Niño conditions, NMFS has determined that reopening the area is warranted. DATES: Effective 12:01 a.m., Pacific Daylight Time, on August 1, 2024. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Chris Fanning, West Coast Region (WCR), NMFS, (562) 980-4198, chris.fanning@noaa.gov . SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The DGN fishery is managed under the Fishery Management Plan for U.S. West Coast Fisheries for Highly Migratory Species ( 50 CFR part 660, subpart K ) and occurs off the coast of California. NMFS regulations s…
Other Federal Register documents from the same docket.
Fisheries Off West Coast States; the Highly Migratory Species Fishery; Pacific Loggerhead Conservation Area Closure
Fisheries Off West Coast States; the Highly Migratory Species Fishery; El Nino Pacific Loggerhead Conservation Area Closure
Fisheries Off West Coast States; the Highly Migratory Species Fishery; Closure
Fisheries Off West Coast States; the Highly Migratory Species Fishery; Closure
Fisheries Off West Coast States; the Highly Migratory Species Fishery; Closure
Citation: 89 FR 62667
