# Fisheries Off West Coast States; Highly Migratory Fisheries; Amendment 6 to the Fishery Management Plan for West Coast Fisheries for Highly Migratory Species; Authorization of Deep-Set Buoy Gear
> **Rule** · Final rule. · Published 2023-05-08 · Effective 2023-06-07 · 88 FR 29545
## Document
- **Document number:** 2023-09748
- **Category:** fishery-mgmt
- **Region:** west coast
- **Federal Register citation:** 88 FR 29545
- **Publication date:** 2023-05-08
- **Effective date:** 2023-06-07
- **NOAA docket:** Docket No. 230502-0118
## Abstract

This rule implements Amendment 6 to the Fishery Management Plan for U.S. West Coast Fisheries for Highly Migratory Species (HMS FMP), which authorizes deep-set buoy gear (DSBG) as a legal gear type for targeting swordfish and catching other highly migratory species (HMS) off the U.S. West Coast. The rule establishes a limited entry (LE) permitting regime for use of DSBG in the Southern California Bight (SCB). DSBG fishing will be permitted on an open-access basis outside of the SCB, in Federal waters off of California and Oregon, for all vessels possessing a general HMS permit with a DSBG endorsement. DSBG fishing will not be permitted in Federal waters off of Washington. This final rule includes definitions for two configurations of DSBG-- standard and linked--and specifies the LE management area, permitting process, and requirements for use of the gear.

## Source
- [Federal Register document](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2023/05/08/2023-09748/fisheries-off-west-coast-states-highly-migratory-fisheries-amendment-6-to-the-fishery-management)
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