Commerce Department, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is prohibiting fishing with large-mesh drift gillnet (DGN) gear (>=14 inches mesh) off the coast of southern California east of 120[deg] W meridian from June 1, 2026, through August 31, 2026. This prohibition is based on the fact that the NOAA Climate Prediction Center (CPC) has indicated that the sea surface temperature off the coast of southern California for March and April is warmer than normal and there is an 82 percent probability that El Ni[ntilde]o conditions may occur between May-July. This action protects Endangered Species Act-listed loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta), specifically the endangered North Pacific Ocean Distinct Population Segment.
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-XF792] AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Temporary rule; closure. SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting fishing with large-mesh drift gillnet (DGN) gear (≥14 inches mesh) off the coast of southern California east of 120° W meridian from June 1, 2026, through August 31, 2026. This prohibition is based on the fact that the NOAA Climate Prediction Center (CPC) has indicated that the sea surface temperature off the coast of southern California for March and April is warmer than normal and there is an 82 percent probability that El Niño conditions may occur between May-July. This action protects Endangered Species Act-listed loggerhead sea turtles ( Caretta caretta ), specifically the endangered North Pacific Ocean Distinct Population Segment. DATES: Effective 12:01 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time (PDT), June 1, 2026, through 11:59 p.m. PDT, August 31, 2026. 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 and regulations at 50 CFR part 660, subpart K and occurs off the coast of California. NMFS regulations provide that, “No person may fish with, …
Other Federal Register documents from the same docket.
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; 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: 91 FR 32907
