2013-10462. Fisheries Off West Coast States; West Coast Salmon Fisheries; 2013 Management Measures

AGENCY:

National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION:

Final rule; notice of availability of an environmental assessment.

SUMMARY:

Through this final rule NMFS establishes fishery management measures for the 2013 ocean salmon fisheries off Washington, Oregon, and California and the 2014 salmon seasons opening earlier than May 1, 2014. Specific fishery management measures vary by fishery and by area. The measures establish fishing areas, seasons, quotas, legal gear, recreational fishing days and catch limits, possession and landing restrictions, and minimum lengths for salmon taken in the U.S. exclusive economic zone (EEZ) (3-200 NM) off Washington, Oregon, and California. The management measures are intended to prevent overfishing and to apportion the ocean harvest equitably among treaty Indian, non-treaty commercial, and recreational fisheries. The measures are also intended to allow a portion of the salmon runs to escape the ocean fisheries in order to provide for spawning escapement and inside fisheries (fisheries occurring in state internal waters). This document also announces the availability of an environmental assessment (EA) that analyzes the environmental impacts of implementing the 2013 ocean salmon management measures.

DATES:

This final rule is effective from 0001 hours Pacific Daylight Time, May 1, 2013, until the effective date of the 2014 management measures, as published in the Federal Register. Comments regarding the reporting burden estimate or any other aspect of the collection-of-information requirements in these management measures may be submitted at any time.

ADDRESSES:

Copies of the documents cited in this document are available from Dr. Donald O. McIsaac, Executive Director, Pacific Fishery Management Council, 7700 NE Ambassador Place, Suite 200, Portland, OR 97220-1384, and are posted on its Web site (www.pcouncil.org).

Send comments regarding the reporting burden estimate or any other aspect of the collection-of-information requirements in these management measures, including suggestions for reducing the burden, to William W. Stelle, Jr., Regional Administrator, Northwest Region, NMFS, 7600 Sand Point Way NE., Seattle, WA 98115-0070 or Rod McInnis, Regional Administrator, Southwest Region, NMFS, 501 West Ocean Boulevard, Suite 4200, Long Beach, CA 90802-4213 and to Office of Management and Budget (OMB), by email at OIRA.Submission@omb.eop.gov or by fax at (202) 395-7285.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Peggy Mundy at 206-526-4323, or Heidi Taylor at 562-980-4039.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

The ocean salmon fisheries in the EEZ off Washington, Oregon, and California are managed under a “framework” fishery management plan entitled the Pacific Coast Salmon Fishery Management Plan (Salmon FMP). Regulations at 50 CFR part 660, subpart H, provide the mechanism for making preseason and inseason adjustments to the management measures, within limits set by the Salmon FMP, by notification in the Federal Register.

The management measures for the 2013 and pre-May 2014 ocean salmon fisheries that are implemented in this final rule were recommended by the Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) at its April 6 to 11, 2013, meeting.

Schedule Used To Establish 2013 Management Measures

The Council announced its annual preseason management process for the 2013 ocean salmon fisheries in the Federal Register on December 12, 2012 (77 FR 73987), and on the Council's Web site at (www.pcouncil.org). NMFS published an additional notice of opportunities to submit public comments on the 2013 ocean salmon fisheries in the Federal Register on February 25, 2013 (78 FR 12713). These notices announced the availability of Council documents, the dates and locations of Council meetings and public hearings comprising the Council's complete schedule of events for determining the annual proposed and final modifications to ocean salmon fishery management measures, and instructions on how to comment on 2013 ocean salmon fisheries. The agendas for the March and April Council meetings were published in the Federal Register and posted on the Council's Web site prior to the actual meetings.

In accordance with the Salmon FMP, the Council's Salmon Technical Team (STT) and staff economist prepared four reports for the Council, its advisors, and the public. All four reports were posted on the Council's Web site and otherwise made available to the Council, its advisors, and the public upon their completion. The first of the reports, “Review of 2012 Ocean Salmon Fisheries,” was prepared in February when the scientific information necessary for crafting management measures for the 2013 and pre-May 2014 ocean salmon fisheries first became available. The first report summarizes biological and socio-economic data for the 2012 ocean salmon fisheries and assesses how well the Council's 2012 management objectives were met. The second report, “Preseason Report I Stock Abundance Analysis and Environmental Assessment Part 1 for 2013 Ocean Salmon Fishery Regulations” (PRE I), provides the 2013 salmon stock abundance projections and analyzes the impacts on the stocks and Council management goals if the 2012 regulations and regulatory procedures were applied to the projected 2013 stock abundances. The completion of PRE I is the initial step in evaluating the full suite of preseason alternatives.

Following completion of the first two reports, the Council met in Tacoma, WA from March 6 to 11, 2013, to develop 2013 management alternatives for proposal to the public. The Council proposed three alternatives for commercial and recreational fisheries management for analysis and public comment. These alternatives consisted of various combinations of management measures designed to protect weak stocks of coho and Chinook salmon, and to provide for ocean harvests of more abundant stocks. After the March Council meeting, the Council's STT and staff economist prepared a third report, “Preseason Report II Proposed Alternatives and Environmental Assessment Part 2 for 2013 Ocean Salmon Fishery Regulations” (PRE II), Start Printed Page 25866which analyzes the effects of the proposed 2013 management alternatives.

Public hearings, sponsored by the Council, to receive testimony on the proposed alternatives were held on March 25, 2013, in Westport, WA and Coos Bay, OR; and March 26, 2013, in Eureka, CA. The States of Washington, Oregon, and California sponsored meetings in various forums that also collected public testimony, which was then presented to the Council by each state's Council representative. The Council also received public testimony at both the March and April meetings and received written comments at the Council office.

The Council met from April 6 to 11, 2013, in Portland, OR to adopt its final 2013 recommendations. Following the April Council meeting, the Council's STT and staff economist prepared a fourth report, “Preseason Report III Analysis of Council-Adopted Management Measures for 2013 Ocean Salmon Fisheries” (PRE III), which analyzes the environmental and socio-economic effects of the Council's final recommendations. After the Council took final action on the annual ocean salmon specifications in April, it published the recommended management measures in its newsletter and also posted them on the Council Web site (www.pcouncil.org).

Public Comments

The Council invited written comments on developing 2013 salmon management measures in their notice announcing public meetings and hearings (77 FR 73987, December 12, 2012). Additionally, comments were taken at three public hearings held in March, staffed by representatives of the Council and NMFS. The Council received 10 written comments directly. The three public hearings were attended by a total of 89 people; 30 people provided oral comments and three additional written comments were submitted. Comments came from individual fishers, fishing associations, fish buyers, and processors. Comments addressed the 2013 management alternatives described in PRE II, and generally expressed preferences for a specific alternative or for particular season structures. All comments were included in the Council's briefing book for their April 2013 meeting and were considered by the Council, which includes a representative from NMFS, in developing the recommended management measures transmitted to NMFS on April 19, 2013.

Comments on alternatives for fisheries north of Cape Falcon. For fisheries north of Cape Falcon, Alternative I was favored by 6 commercial and 2 recreational commenters. Alternative II was favored by one commercial commenter. Alternative III had no support. There were 2 commenters favoring a late season non-mark selective coho fishery.

Comments on alternatives for fisheries south of Cape Falcon. For fisheries south of Cape Falcon, commercial fishers were divided in support between Alternative I (7 commenters) and Alternative II (10 commenters). For recreational fisheries south of Cape Falcon, 9 commenters favored Alternative I. Alternative III had no support.

Comments on incidental halibut retention in the commercial salmon fisheries. Support was divided among the three alternatives.

Other comments. Hooking mortality was mentioned by three commenters, with respect to mark-selective fisheries and size restrictions. Two commenters requested the Council revisit the perennial commercial fishery closure between Humboldt South Jetty and Horse Mountain, California. One commenter requested the Council add a seat on the Salmon Advisory Subpanel to represent the Klamath Basin in-river recreational fishery.

The Council, including the NMFS representative, took these comments into consideration. The Council's final recommendation generally includes aspects of Alternatives I and II, while taking into account the best available scientific information and ensuring that fisheries are consistent with ESA consultation standards, ACLs, PST obligations, and tribal fishing rights. The best available information regarding hooking mortality is factored into the analysis of the impacts of mark-selective fisheries and size restrictions. These management tools assist the Council in meeting impact limits on weak stocks. The Council retained the commercial fishery closure between Humboldt South Jetty and Horse Mountain to protect California Coastal Chinook in the Eel Canyon area. Finally, the request to add a new seat on the Salmon Advisory Subpanel, while an issue for the Council's consideration, is not relevant to the content of these management measures.

NMFS also invited comments to be submitted directly to the Council or to NMFS, via the Federal Rulemaking Portal (www.regulations.gov) in a proposed rule (78 FR 12713, February 25, 2013). Two comments were submitted via www.regulations.gov,, both comments opposed genetically modified salmon; while NMFS appreciates receiving public comment, the issue of genetically modified salmon is not relevant to setting the 2013 salmon management measures.

National Environmental Policy Act

The Council's documents described above (PRE I, PRE II, and PRE III) collectively comprise the Environmental Assessment (EA) for this action, providing analysis of environmental and socioeconomic effects under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The EA and its related Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) are posted on the NMFS Northwest Region Web site (www.nwr.noaa.gov).

Annual Catch Limits and Status Determination Criteria

The Council adopted Amendment 16 to the Salmon FMP in 2011 (76 FR 81852, December 29, 2011). This amendment brought the Salmon FMP into compliance with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA) as amended in 2007, and the corresponding revised National Standard 1 Guidelines' (NS1Gs) mandate to end and prevent overfishing. As modified by Amendment 16, the FMP identifies stocks that are in the fishery, describes stock complexes and indicator stocks for those complexes, establishes status determination criteria (SDC), and establishes formulas for specifying overfishing limits (OFLs), acceptable biological catch (ABC), and annual catch limits (ACLs). Amendment 16 also added to the FMP “de minimis” fishing provisions that allow for low levels of fishing impacts on specified stocks that are at low levels of abundance.

Annual catch limits (ACLs) are set for two stocks: Sacramento River Fall Chinook (SRFC) and Klamath River Fall Chinook (KRFC). These stocks are indicator stocks for the Central Valley Fall Chinook complex and the Southern Oregon/Northern California Chinook complex, respectively. The Far North Migrating Coastal Chinook complex includes a group of Chinook salmon stocks that are caught primarily in fisheries north of Cape Falcon, Oregon and other fisheries that occur north of the U.S./Canada Border. No ACL is set for these stocks because they are managed according to the Pacific Salmon Treaty with Canada (PST). Other Chinook salmon stocks caught in fisheries north of Cape Falcon are ESA-listed or hatchery produced, and are managed consistent with ESA consultation standards or hatchery goals. Coho stocks are either ESA-listed, hatchery produced, or managed under the PST.Start Printed Page 25867

ACLs for SRFC and KRFC are escapement-based, which means they establish a number of adults that must escape the fisheries to return to the spawning grounds. They are set based on the annual abundance projection and a fishing rate reduced to account for scientific uncertainty. The abundance forecasts for 2013 are described in more detail below in the “Resource Status” section of this final rule. For SRFC in 2013, the overfishing limit (OFL) is S_OFL = 834,208 (projected abundance) multiplied by 1 − F_MSY (1 − 0.78) or 183,526 returning spawners. S_ABC is 834,208 multiplied by 1 − F_ABC (1 − 0.70) (F_MSY reduced for scientific uncertainty = 0.70) or 250,262. The S_ACL is set equal to S_ABC. For KRFC in 2013, S_OFL is 230,473 (abundance projection) multiplied by 1 − F_MSY (1 − 0.71), or 66,837 returning spawners. S_ABC is 230,473 multiplied by 1 − F_ABC (1 − 0.68) (F_MSY reduced for scientific uncertainty = 0.68) or 73,751 returning spawners. S_ACL is set equal to S_ABC.

As explained in more detail below under “Resource Status,” fisheries south of Cape Falcon, which are the fisheries that impact SRFC and KRFC, are constrained by impact limits necessary to protect ESA-listed salmon stocks including California Coastal Chinook (CCC) and Sacramento River winter Chinook (SRWC). For 2013, abundance projections, in combination with the constraints for ESA-listed stocks, are expected to result in escapements that meet the ACL for KRFC and that exceed the ACL for SRFC.

Resource Status

Fisheries south of Cape Falcon, OR are limited in 2013 primarily by the status of SRWC and CCC, which are both evolutionarily significant units (ESUs) listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Fisheries north of Cape Falcon are limited primarily by Lower Columbia River (LCR) Chinook salmon and LCR coho salmon, stocks which are also listed under the ESA, and by Thompson River coho from Canada. At the start of the preseason planning process for the 2013 management season, NMFS provided a letter to the Council, dated February 28, 2013, summarizing its ESA consultation standards for listed species as required by the Salmon FMP. The Council's recommended management measures comply with NMFS ESA consultation standards and guidance for those listed salmon species that may be affected by Council fisheries. In many cases, the recommended measures are more restrictive than NMFS's ESA requirements.

In 2010, NMFS consulted under ESA section 7 and provided guidance to the Council regarding the effects of Council area fisheries on SRWC. NMFS completed a Biological Opinion that includes a reasonable and prudent alternative (RPA) to avoid jeopardizing the continued existence of this ESU. The RPA included management area specific fishing season openings and closures, and minimum size limits for both commercial and recreational fisheries. In 2012, NMFS added a second component to the RPA based on a new abundance-based framework which supplements the above management restrictions with maximum allowable impact rates that apply when abundance is low. The Council's recommended 2013 management measures meet the requirements of the RPA.

NMFS last consulted under ESA section 7 regarding the effects of Council area fisheries on CCC in 2005. KRFC are used as a surrogate to set limits on ocean harvest impacts on CCC. The Biological Opinion requires that management measures result in a KRFC age-4 ocean harvest rate of no greater than 16 percent. This objective is met by the Council's recommended 2013 management measures.

In 2012, NMFS consulted under ESA section 7 and provided guidance to the Council regarding the effects of Council area fisheries on LCR Chinook salmon. NMFS completed a Biological Opinion that applies to fisheries beginning in 2012, concluding that the proposed fisheries, if managed consistent with the terms of the Biological Opinion, are not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of LCR Chinook salmon. The LCR Chinook salmon ESU is comprised of a spring component, a “far-north” migrating bright component, and a component of north migrating tules. The bright and tule components both have fall run timing. There are twenty-one separate populations within the tule component of this ESU. Unlike the spring or bright populations of the ESU, LCR tule populations are caught in large numbers in Council fisheries, as well as fisheries to the north and in the Columbia River. Therefore, this component of the ESU is the one most likely to constrain Council fisheries in the area north of Cape Falcon, Oregon. Under the 2012 Biological Opinion, NMFS uses an abundance-based management (ABM) framework to set annual exploitation rates for LCR tule Chinook salmon below Bonneville Dam. Applying the ABM framework to the 2013 preseason abundance forecast, the LCR tule exploitation rate is limited to a maximum of 41 percent. This objective is met by the Council's recommended 2013 management measures.

In 2008, NMFS conducted an ESA section 7 consultation and issued a Biological Opinion regarding the effects of Council fisheries and fisheries in the Columbia River on Lower Columbia River (LCR) coho. The opinion depends on use of a harvest matrix for LCR coho. Under the matrix the allowable harvest in a given year depends on indicators of marine survival and brood year escapement. In 2013, the marine survival indicator is in the “low” category, while brood year escapements for two indicator stocks are in the “low” and “medium” categories. Under these circumstances, ocean salmon fisheries under the Council's jurisdiction in 2013, and commercial and recreational salmon fisheries in the mainstem Columbia River, including select area fisheries (e.g., Youngs Bay), must be managed subject to a total exploitation rate limit on LCR coho not to exceed 15 percent. The recommended management measures that would affect LCR coho are consistent with this requirement.

The ESA listing status of Oregon Coast (OC) coho has changed over the years. On February 11, 2008, NMFS again listed OC coho as threatened under the ESA (73 FR 7816); that listing status was confirmed following a status review in 2011 (76 FR 35755, June 20, 2011). Regardless of their listing status, the Council has managed OC coho consistent with the terms of Amendment 13 of the Salmon FMP as modified by the expert advice provided by the 2000 ad hoc Work Group appointed by the Council. NMFS approved the management provisions for OC coho through its section 7 consultation on Amendment 13 in 1999, and has since supported use of the expert advice provided by the Council's ad hoc Work Group. For the 2013 season, the applicable spawner status is in the “high” category for three of the four sub-aggregate stocks and “low” for the southern sub-aggregate (although the southern sub-aggregate is included in the harvest matrix, it is a component of the Southern Oregon/Northern California Coastal Coho ESU). The marine survival index is in the “medium” category. Under these circumstances, the Work Group report requires that the exploitation rate be limited to no more than 30 percent. The recommended management measures that would affect OC coho are consistent with this requirement.

Interior Fraser (Thompson River) coho, a Canadian stock, continues to be depressed, remaining in the “low” Start Printed Page 25868status category under the Pacific Salmon Treaty and, along with LCR coho, is the coho stock most limiting the 2013 ocean fisheries north of Cape Falcon. The recommended management measures for 2013 satisfy the maximum 10.0 percent total U.S. exploitation rate called for by the Pacific Salmon Treaty agreements and the Salmon FMP.

Management Measures for 2013 Fisheries

The Council-recommended ocean harvest levels and management measures for the 2013 fisheries are designed to apportion the burden of protecting the weak stocks identified and discussed in PRE I equitably among ocean fisheries and to allow maximum harvest of natural and hatchery runs surplus to inside fishery and spawning needs. NMFS finds the Council's recommendations responsive to the goals of the Salmon FMP, the requirements of the resource, and the socioeconomic factors affecting resource users. The recommendations are consistent with the requirements of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, U.S. obligations to Indian tribes with federally recognized fishing rights, and U.S. international obligations regarding Pacific salmon. Accordingly, NMFS has adopted the Council's recommendations.

North of Cape Falcon, the 2013 management measures for non-Indian commercial troll and recreational fisheries have slightly reduced quotas for coho and Chinook salmon, compared to 2012. Conservation constraints on Chinook salmon are largely unchanged, including the exploitation rate limit for ESA-listed LCR tule Chinook, which remains at 41 percent in 2013. Impacts in Alaskan and Canadian fisheries on Chinook salmon stocks originating north of Cape Falcon are reduced relative to 2012. The North of Falcon fisheries are also managed to protect threatened LCR coho, threatened Oregon Coastal Natural coho, and coho salmon from the Thompson River in Canada. Washington coastal and Puget Sound Chinook generally migrate to the far north and are not significantly affected by ocean salmon harvests from Cape Falcon, OR, to the U.S.-Canada border. Nevertheless, ocean fisheries in combination with fisheries inside Puget Sound are restricted in order to meet ESA related conservation objectives for Puget Sound Chinook. North of Cape Alava, WA, the Council recommended a provision prohibiting retention of chum salmon in the salmon fisheries during August and September to protect ESA listed Hood Canal summer chum. The Council has recommended such a prohibition since 2002 (67 FR 30616, May 7, 2002).

Large SRFC and KRFC abundance forecasts allow for substantial commercial fishing opportunity south of Cape Falcon in 2013 for all salmon except coho. Constraints on the commercial fishery in this region include the CCC consultation standard that limits the forecast KRFC age-4 ocean harvest rate to a maximum of 16 percent and the exploitation rate limit on ESA-listed LCR tule Chinook. Commercial fisheries south of Point Arena are also constrained by the maximum allowable age-3 impact rate of 12.9 percent on ESA-listed SRWC. Recreational fisheries south of Cape Falcon will be directed primarily at Chinook salmon, with opportunity for coho limited to the area between Cape Falcon and the Oregon/California Border. Recreational fisheries south of Cape Falcon will have area specific openings throughout the season. The projected abundance of SRFC in 2013 is similar to the 2012 projection. Under the management measures in this final rule, and including anticipated in-river fishery impacts, spawning escapement for SRFC is projected at 462,600. Projected abundance for Klamath River Fall Chinook (KRFC) is strong, but lower than the historic 2012 projection. Under the management measures in this final rule, and including anticipated in-river fishery impacts, spawning escapement for KRFC is projected at 73,800.

The treaty-Indian commercial troll fishery quota for 2013 is 52,500 Chinook salmon in ocean management areas and Washington State Statistical Area 4B combined. This quota is lower than the 55,000 Chinook salmon quota in 2012, for the same reasons discussed above for the non-tribal fishery. The treaty-Indian commercial troll fisheries include a Chinook-directed fishery in May and June with a quota of 26,250 Chinook salmon, and an all-salmon season beginning July 1 with a 26,250 Chinook salmon sub-quota. The coho quota for the treaty-Indian troll fishery in ocean management areas, including Washington State Statistical Area 4B, for the July-September period is 47,500 coho, the same as in 2012.

Management Measures for 2014 Fisheries

The timing of the March and April Council meetings makes it impracticable for the Council to recommend fishing seasons that begin before May 1 of the same year. Therefore, this action also establishes the 2014 fishing seasons that open earlier than May 1. The Council recommended, and NMFS concurs, that the commercial season off Oregon from Cape Falcon to the Oregon/California border, the commercial season off California from Horse Mountain to Point Arena, the recreational season off Oregon from Cape Falcon to Humbug Mountain, and the recreational season off California from Horse Mountain to the U.S./Mexico border will open in 2014 as indicated in the Season Description section of this document. At the March 2014 meeting, the Council may consider inseason recommendations to adjust the commercial and recreational seasons prior to May 1 in the areas off Oregon and California.

The following sections set out the management regime for the salmon fishery. Open seasons and days are described in Sections 1, 2, and 3 of the 2013 management measures. Inseason closures in the commercial and recreational fisheries are announced on the NMFS hotline and through the U.S. Coast Guard Notice to Mariners as described in Section 6. Other inseason adjustments to management measures are also announced on the hotline and through the Notice to Mariners. Inseason actions will also be published in the Federal Register as soon as practicable.

The following are the management measures recommended by the Council and approved and implemented here for 2013 and, as specified, for 2014.

Section 1. Commercial Management Measures for 2013 Ocean Salmon Fisheries

Parts A, B, and C of this section contain restrictions that must be followed for lawful participation in the fishery. Part A identifies each fishing area and provides the geographic boundaries from north to south, the open seasons for the area, the salmon species allowed to be caught during the seasons, and any other special restrictions effective in the area. Part B specifies minimum size limits. Part C specifies special requirements, definitions, restrictions and exceptions.

A. Season Description

North of Cape Falcon, OR

—U.S./Canada Border to Cape Falcon

May 1 through earlier of June 30 or 29,300 Chinook, no more than 8,700 of which may be caught in the area between the U.S./Canada border and the Queets River. Seven days per week (C.1). All salmon except coho (C.4, C.7). Chinook minimum size limit of 28 inches total length (B, C.1). Vessels in possession of salmon north of the Queets River may not cross the Queets River line without first notifying Start Printed Page 25869Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) at 360-902-2739 with area fished, total Chinook and halibut catch aboard, and destination. Vessels in possession of salmon south of the Queets River may not cross the Queets River line without first notifying WDFW at 360-902-2739 with area fished, total Chinook and halibut catch aboard, and destination. Cape Flattery, Mandatory Yelloweye Rockfish Conservation Area, and Columbia Control Zones closed (C.4, C.5, C.6). See compliance requirements (C.1) and gear restrictions and definitions (C.2, C.3). An inseason conference call will occur when it is projected that 21,975 Chinook have been landed overall, or 6,525 Chinook have been landed in the area between the U.S/Canada border and the Queets River, to consider modifying the open period to five days per week and adding landing and possession limits to ensure the guideline is not exceeded. Vessels must land and deliver their fish within 24 hours of any closure of this fishery. Under state law, vessels must report their catch on a state fish receiving ticket. Vessels fishing or in possession of salmon while fishing north of Leadbetter Point must land and deliver their fish within the area and north of Leadbetter Point. Vessels fishing or in possession of salmon while fishing south of Leadbetter Point must land and deliver their fish within the area and south of Leadbetter Point, except that Oregon permitted vessels may also land their fish in Garibaldi, Oregon. Oregon State regulations require all fishers landing salmon into Oregon from any fishery between Leadbetter Point, Washington and Cape Falcon, Oregon must notify ODFW within one hour of delivery or prior to transport away from the port of landing by either calling 541-867-0300 Ext. 271 or sending notification via email to nfalcon.trollreport@state.or.us. Notification shall include vessel name and number, number of salmon by species, port of landing and location of delivery, and estimated time of delivery. Inseason actions may modify harvest guidelines in later fisheries to achieve or prevent exceeding the overall allowable troll harvest impacts (C.8).

July 1 through earlier of September 17 or attainment of the quota of 14,700 Chinook, no more than 6,100 of which may be caught in the area between the U.S./Canada border and the Queets River, or 14,220 marked coho (C.8.d). July 1 through 9, then Friday through Tuesday, July 12 through August 27 with a landing and possession limit of 50 Chinook and 40 coho per vessel per open period; Friday through Tuesday, August 30 through September 17 with a landing and possession limit of 20 Chinook and 50 coho per vessel per open period (C.1). Vessels in possession of salmon north of the Queets River may not cross the Queets River line without first notifying WDFW at 360-902-2739 with area fished, total Chinook, coho, and halibut catch aboard, and destination. Vessels in possession of salmon south of the Queets River may not cross the Queets River line without first notifying WDFW at 360-902-2739 with area fished, total Chinook, coho, and halibut catch aboard, and destination. No earlier than September 1, if at least 5,000 marked coho remain on the quota, inseason action may be considered to allow non-selective coho retention (C.8). All salmon except no chum retention north of Cape Alava, Washington in August and September (C.7). Chinook minimum size limit of 28 inches total length (B, C.1). All coho must be marked except as noted above (C.8.d). See compliance requirements (C.1) and gear restrictions and definitions (C.2, C.3). Mandatory Yelloweye Rockfish Conservation Area, Cape Flattery and Columbia Control Zones, and beginning August 9, Grays Harbor Control Zone closed (C.5). Vessels must land and deliver their fish within 24 hours of any closure of this fishery. Vessels fishing or in possession of salmon while fishing north of Leadbetter Point must land and deliver their fish within the area and north of Leadbetter Point. Vessels fishing or in possession of salmon while fishing south of Leadbetter Point must land and deliver their fish within the area and south of Leadbetter Point, except that Oregon permitted vessels may also land their fish in Garibaldi, Oregon. Under state law, vessels must report their catch on a state fish receiving ticket. Oregon State regulations require all fishers landing salmon into Oregon from any fishery between Leadbetter Point, Washington and Cape Falcon, Oregon must notify ODFW within one hour of delivery or prior to transport away from the port of landing by either calling 541-867-0300 Ext. 271 or sending notification via email to nfalcon.trollreport@state.or.us. Notification shall include vessel name and number, number of salmon by species, port of landing and location of delivery, and estimated time of delivery. Inseason actions may modify harvest guidelines in later fisheries to achieve or prevent exceeding the overall allowable troll harvest impacts.

South of Cape Falcon, OR

—Cape Falcon to Humbug Mountain

April 1 through August 29;

September 4 through October 31 (C.9.a).

Seven days per week. All salmon except coho (C.4, C.7). Chinook minimum size limit of 28 inches total length (B, C.1). All vessels fishing in the area must land their fish in the State of Oregon. See compliance requirements (C.1) and gear restrictions and definitions (C.2, C.3) and Oregon State regulations for a description of special regulations at the mouth of Tillamook Bay.

Beginning September 4, no more than 100 Chinook per vessel per landing week (Wednesday through Tuesday).

In 2014, the season will open March 15 for all salmon except coho. Chinook minimum size limit of 28 inches total length (C.1). Gear restrictions same as in 2013. This opening could be modified following Council review at its March 2014 meeting.

—Humbug Mountain to Oregon/California Border (Oregon KMZ)

April 1 through May 31;

June 1 through earlier of June 30, or a 4,000 Chinook quota;

July 1 through earlier of July 31, or a 3,000 Chinook quota;

August 1 through earlier of August 29, or a 2,000 Chinook quota;

September 16 through earlier of September 27, or a 1,000 Chinook quota (C.9.a).

Seven days per week. All salmon except coho (C.4, C.7). Chinook minimum size limit of 28 inches total length (B, C.1). Prior to June 1, all fish caught in this area must be landed and delivered in the State of Oregon. June 1 through August 29 landing and possession limit of 30 Chinook per vessel per day. September 16 through 27 landing and possession limit of 20 Chinook per vessel per day. Any remaining portion of the June and/or July Chinook quotas may be transferred inseason on an impact neutral basis to the next open quota period (C.8). All vessels fishing in this area must land and deliver all fish within this area or Port Orford, within 24 hours of any closure of this fishery, and prior to fishing outside of this area. Oregon State regulations require all fishers landing salmon from any quota managed season within this area to notify ODFW within 1 hour of delivery or prior to transport away from the port of landing by either calling 541-867-0300 Ext. 252 or sending notification via email to KMZOR.trollreport@state.or.us. Notification shall include vessel name and number, number of salmon by species, port of landing and location of delivery, and estimated time of delivery. Start Printed Page 25870See compliance requirements (C.1) and gear restrictions and definitions (C.2, C.3).

In 2014, the season will open March 15 for all salmon except coho, with a 28 inch Chinook minimum size limit (C.1). Gear restrictions same as in 2013. This opening could be modified following Council review at its March 2014 meeting.

—Oregon/California Border to Humboldt South Jetty (California KMZ)

May 1 through earlier of May 31, or a 3,000 Chinook quota;

June 1 through earlier of June 30, or a 3,000 Chinook quota;

July 15 through earlier of July 31, or a 2,000 Chinook quota;

August 1 through earlier of August 29, or a 1,500 Chinook quota;

September 16 through earlier of September 30, or 6,000 Chinook quota (C.9.b).

Seven days per week. All salmon except coho (C.4, C.7). Chinook minimum size limit of 27 inches total length (B, C.1). Landing and possession limit of 20 Chinook per vessel per day (C.8.g). Any remaining portion of the May, June and/or July Chinook quotas may be transferred inseason on an impact neutral basis to the next open quota period (C.8.c). All fish caught in this area must be landed within the area and within 24 hours of any closure of the fishery and prior to fishing outside the area (C.10). See compliance requirements (C.1) and gear restrictions and definitions (C.2, C.3). Klamath Control Zone closed (C.5.e). See California State regulations for additional closures adjacent to the Smith and Klamath rivers. When the fishery is closed between the Oregon/California border and Humbug Mountain and open to the south, vessels with fish on board caught in the open area off California may seek temporary mooring in Brookings, Oregon prior to landing in California only if such vessels first notify the Chetco River Coast Guard Station via VHF channel 22A between the hours of 0500 and 2200 and provide the vessel name, number of fish on board, and estimated time of arrival (C.6).

—Humboldt South Jetty to Horse Mountain

Closed.

—Horse Mountain to Point Arena (Fort Bragg)

May 22 through 31;

June 1 through 8 and 21 through 30;

July 15 through 31;

August 1 through 29;

September 1 through 30 (C.9.b).

Seven days per week. All salmon except coho (C.4, C.7). Chinook minimum size limit of 27 inches total length (B, C.1). All fish must be landed in California and offloaded within 24 hours of the August 29 closure (C.6). When the California KMZ fishery is open, all fish caught in the area must be landed south of Horse Mountain (C.6). During September, all fish must be landed north of Point Arena (C.6). See compliance requirements (C.1) and gear restrictions and definitions (C.2, C.3).

In 2014, the season will open April 16 through 30 for all salmon except coho, with a 27-inch Chinook minimum size limit and the same gear restrictions as in 2013. All fish caught in the area must be landed in the area. This opening could be modified following Council review at its March 2014 meeting.

—Point Arena to Pigeon Point (San Francisco)

May 1 through 31;

June 1 through 8 and 21 through 30;

July 15 through 31;

August 1 through 29;

September 1 through 30 (C.9.b).

Seven days per week. All salmon except coho (C.4, C.7). Chinook minimum size limit of 27 inches total length prior to September 1, 26 inches thereafter (B, C.1). All fish must be landed in California and offloaded within 24 hours of the August 29 closure (C.6). During September, all fish must be landed south of Point Arena (C.6). See compliance requirements (C.1) and gear restrictions and definitions (C.2, C.3).

Point Reyes to Point San Pedro (Fall Area Target Zone)

October 1 through 4, 7 through 11, and 14 through 15.

All salmon except coho (C.4, C.7). Chinook minimum size limit of 26 inches total length (B, C.1). All fish caught in this area must be landed between Point Arena and Pigeon Point (C.6). See compliance requirements (C.1) and gear restrictions and definitions (C.2, C.3).

—Pigeon Point to U.S./Mexico Border (Monterey)

May 1 through 31;

June 1 through 8 and 21 through 30;

July 15 through 31;

August 1 through 29;

September 1 through 30 (C.9.b).

California State regulations require that all salmon be made available to a California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) representative for sampling immediately at port of landing. Any person in possession of a salmon with a missing adipose fin, upon request by an authorized agent or employee of the CDFW, shall immediately relinquish the head of the salmon to the state (California Fish and Game Code § 8226).

B. Minimum Size (Inches) (See C.1)

Area (when open)	Chinook		Coho		Pink
Area (when open)	Total length	Head-off	Total length	Head-off	Pink
North of Cape Falcon, OR	28.0	21.5	16.0	12.0	None
Cape Falcon to OR/CA Border	28.0	21.5			None
OR/CA Border to Humboldt South Jetty	27.0	20.5			None
Horse Mountain to Point Arena	27.0	20.5			None
Point Arena to U.S./Mexico Border:
Prior to Sept. 1	27.0	20.5			None
Sept. 1 to Oct. 15	26.0	19.5			None
Metric equivalents: 28.0 in = 71.1 cm, 27.0 in = 68.6 cm, 26.0 in = 66.0 cm, 21.5 in = 54.6 cm, 20.5 in = 52.1 cm, 19.5 in = 49.5 cm, 16.0 in = 40.6 cm, and 12.0 in = 30.5 cm.

C. Special Requirements, Definitions, Restrictions, or Exceptions

C.1. Compliance With Minimum Size or Other Special Restrictions

All salmon on board a vessel must meet the minimum size, landing/possession limit, or other special requirements for the area being fished and the area in which they are landed if the area is open or has been closed less than 96 hours for that species of salmon. Salmon may be landed in an area that has been closed for a species of salmon more than 96 hours only if the salmon meet the minimum size, landing/possession limit, or other special requirements for the area in which they were caught.

States may require fish landing/receiving tickets to be kept on board the vessel for 90 days after landing to account for all previous salmon landings.

C.2. Gear Restrictions

a. Salmon may be taken only by hook and line using single point, single shank, barbless hooks.

b. Cape Falcon, Oregon, to the Oregon/California border: No more than 4 spreads are allowed per line.

c. Oregon/California border to U.S./Mexico border: No more than 6 lines are allowed per vessel, and barbless circle hooks are required when fishing with bait by any means other than trolling.

C.3. Gear Definitions

Trolling defined: Fishing from a boat or floating device that is making way by means of a source of power, other than drifting by means of the prevailing water current or weather conditions.

Troll fishing gear defined: One or more lines that drag hooks behind a moving fishing vessel. In that portion of the fishery management area (FMA) off Oregon and Washington, the line or lines must be affixed to the vessel and must not be intentionally disengaged from the vessel at any time during the fishing operation.

Spread defined: A single leader connected to an individual lure and/or bait.

Circle hook defined: A hook with a generally circular shape and a point which turns inward, pointing directly to the shank at a 90° angle.

C.4. Vessel Operation in Closed Areas With Salmon on Board

a. Except as provided under C.4.b below, it is unlawful for a vessel to have troll or recreational gear in the water while in any area closed to fishing for a certain species of salmon, while possessing that species of salmon; however, fishing for species other than salmon is not prohibited if the area is open for such species, and no salmon are in possession.

b. When Genetic Stock Identification (GSI) samples will be collected in an area closed to commercial salmon fishing, the scientific research permit holder shall notify NOAA Office of Law Enforcement (OLE), U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), CDFW, and Oregon State Patrol (OSP) at least 24 hours prior to sampling and provide the following information: The vessel name, date, location, and time collection activities will be done. Any vessel collecting GSI samples in a closed area shall not possess any salmon other than those from which GSI samples are being collected. Salmon caught for collection of GSI samples must be immediately released in good condition after collection of samples.

C.5. Control Zone Definitions

a. Cape Flattery Control Zone—The area from Cape Flattery (48°23′00″ N. lat.) to the northern boundary of the U.S. EEZ; and the area from Cape Flattery south to Cape Alava (48°10′00″ N. lat.) and east of 125°05′00″ W. long.

b. Mandatory Yelloweye Rockfish Conservation Area—The area in Washington Marine Catch Area 3 from 48°00.00′ N. lat.; 125°14.00′ W. long. to 48°02.00′ N. lat.; 125°14.00′ W. long. to 48°02.00′ N. lat.; 125°16.50′ W. long. to 48°00.00′ N. lat.; 125°16.50′ W. long. and connecting back to 48°00.00′ N. lat.; 125°14.00′ W. long.

c. Grays Harbor Control Zone—The area defined by a line drawn from the Westport Lighthouse (46°53′18″ N. lat., 124°07′01″ W. long.) to Buoy #2 (46°52′42″ N. lat., 124°12′42″ W. long.) to Buoy #3 (46°55′00″ N. lat., 124°14′48″ W. long.) to the Grays Harbor north jetty (46°55′36″ N. lat., 124°10′51″ W. long.).

d. Columbia Control Zone—An area at the Columbia River mouth, bounded on the west by a line running northeast/southwest between the red lighted Buoy #4 (46°13′35″ N. lat., 124°06′50″ W. long.) and the green lighted Buoy #7 (46°15′09″ N. lat., 124°06′16″ W. long.); on the east, by the Buoy #10 line which bears north/south at 357° true from the south jetty at 46°14′00″ N. lat., 124°03′07″ W. long. to its intersection with the north jetty; on the north, by a line running northeast/southwest between the green lighted Buoy #7 to the tip of the north jetty (46°15′48″ N. lat., 124°05′20″ W. long.), and then along the north jetty to the point of intersection with the Buoy #10 line; and, on the south, by a line running northeast/southwest between the red lighted Buoy #4 and tip of the south jetty (46°14′03″ N. lat., 124°04′05″ W. long.), and then along the south jetty to the point of intersection with the Buoy #10 line.

e. Klamath Control Zone—The ocean area at the Klamath River mouth bounded on the north by 41°38′48″ N. lat. (approximately six nautical miles north of the Klamath River mouth); on the west, by 124°23′00″ W. long. (approximately 12 nautical miles off shore); and on the south, by 41°26′48″ N. lat. (approximately six nautical miles south of the Klamath River mouth).

C.6. Notification When Unsafe Conditions Prevent Compliance With Regulations

If prevented by unsafe weather conditions or mechanical problems from meeting special management area landing restrictions, vessels must notify the U.S. Coast Guard and receive acknowledgment of such notification prior to leaving the area. This notification shall include the name of the vessel, port where delivery will be made, approximate amount of salmon (by species) on board, the estimated time of arrival, and the specific reason the vessel is not able to meet special management area landing restrictions.

In addition to contacting the U.S. Coast Guard, vessels fishing south of the Oregon/California border must notify CDFW within one hour of leaving the management area by calling 800-889-8346 and providing the same information as reported to the U.S. Coast Guard. All salmon must be offloaded within 24 hours of reaching port.

C.7. Incidental Halibut Harvest

During authorized periods, the operator of a vessel that has been issued an incidental halibut harvest license may retain Pacific halibut caught incidentally in Area 2A while trolling for salmon. Halibut retained must be no less than 32 inches (81.28 cm) in total length, measured from the tip of the lower jaw with the mouth closed to the extreme end of the middle of the tail, and must be landed with the head on. License applications for incidental harvest must be obtained from the International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) (phone: 206-634-1838). Applicants must apply prior to April 1, 2013 for 2013 permits and mid-March 2014 (exact date to be set by the IPHC in early 2014) for 2014 permits. Incidental harvest is authorized only during May and June of the 2013 troll seasons and April, May, and June of the 2014 troll seasons and after June 30 in 2013 or 2014 if quota remains and if announced on the NMFS hotline (phone: 800-662-9825). WDFW, ODFW, Start Printed Page 25872and CDFW will monitor landings. If the landings are projected to exceed the 30,600 pound preseason allocation or the total Area 2A non-Indian commercial halibut allocation, NMFS will take inseason action to prohibit retention of halibut in the non-Indian salmon troll fishery.

Beginning May 1, 2013 through April 30, 2014, IPHC license holders may land or possess no more than one Pacific halibut per each three Chinook, except one Pacific halibut may be possessed or landed without meeting the ratio requirement, and no more than 15 halibut may be possessed or landed per trip. Pacific halibut retained must be no less than 32 inches in total length (with head on).

Incidental Pacific halibut catch regulations in the commercial salmon troll fishery adopted for 2013 will be in effect when incidental Pacific halibut retention opens on April 1, 2014 unless modified by inseason action.

A “C-shaped” yelloweye rockfish conservation area (YRCA) is an area to be voluntarily avoided for salmon trolling. NMFS and the Council request salmon trollers voluntarily avoid this area in order to protect yelloweye rockfish. The area is defined in Pacific coast groundfish regulations (50 CFR 660.70(a)) in the North Coast subarea (Washington marine area 3), with the following coordinates in the order listed:

48°18′ N. lat.; 125°18′ W. long.;

48°18′ N. lat.; 124°59′ W. long.;

48°11′ N. lat.; 124°59′ W. long.;

48°11′ N. lat.; 125°11′ W. long.;

48°04′ N. lat.; 125°11′ W. long.;

48°04′ N. lat.; 124°59′ W. long.;

48°00′ N. lat.; 124°59′ W. long.;

48°00′ N. lat.; 125°18′ W. long.;

and connecting back to 48°18′ N. lat.; 125°18′ W. long.

C.8. Inseason Management

In addition to standard inseason actions or modifications already noted under the season description, the following inseason guidance applies:

a. Chinook remaining from the May through June non-Indian commercial troll harvest guideline north of Cape Falcon may be transferred to the July through September harvest guideline, if the transfer would not result in exceeding preseason impact expectations on any stocks.

b. Chinook remaining from the June and/or July non-Indian commercial troll quotas in the Oregon KMZ may be transferred to the Chinook quota for the next open period if the transfer would not result in exceeding preseason impact expectations on any stocks.

c. Chinook remaining from the May, June, and/or July non-Indian commercial troll quotas in the California KMZ may be transferred to the Chinook quota for the next open period if the transfer would not result in exceeding preseason impact expectations on any stocks.

d. NMFS may transfer fish between the recreational and commercial fisheries north of Cape Falcon if there is agreement among the areas' representatives on the Salmon Advisory Subpanel (SAS), and if the transfer would not result in exceeding the preseason impact expectations on any stocks.

e. At the March 2014 meeting, the Council will consider inseason recommendations for special regulations for any experimental fisheries (proposals must meet Council protocol and be received in November 2013).

f. If retention of unmarked coho is permitted by inseason action, the allowable coho quota will be adjusted to ensure preseason projected impacts on all stocks are not exceeded.

g. Landing limits may be modified inseason to sustain season length and keep harvest within overall quotas.

C.9. State Waters Fisheries

Consistent with Council management objectives:

a. The State of Oregon may establish additional late-season fisheries in state waters.

b. The State of California may establish limited fisheries in selected state waters.

Check state regulations for details.

C.10. For the purposes of California Fish and Game Code, Section 8232.5, the definition of the Klamath Management Zone (KMZ) for the ocean salmon season is the area from Humbug Mountain, Oregon, to Horse Mountain, California.

Section 2. Recreational Management Measures for 2013 Ocean Salmon Fisheries

A. Season Description

North of Cape Falcon, OR

—U.S./Canada Border to Queets River

May 10 through 11, May 17 through 18, and June 22 through 28 or a coastwide marked Chinook quota of 8,000 (C.5).

Seven days per week. Two fish per day, all salmon except coho, all Chinook must be marked with a healed adipose fin clip (C.1). Chinook 24-inch total length minimum size limit (B). See gear restrictions (C.2). Inseason management may be used to sustain season length and keep harvest within the overall Chinook recreational TAC for north of Cape Falcon (C.5).

—Queets River to Leadbetter Point

June 8 through earlier of June 22 or a coastwide marked Chinook quota of 8,000 (C.5).

—Leadbetter Point to Cape Falcon

June 8 through earlier of June 21 or a coastwide marked Chinook quota of 8,000 (C.5).

—U.S./Canada Border to Cape Alava (Neah Bay)

June 29 through earlier of September 22 or 7,780 marked coho subarea quota with a subarea guideline of 4,900 Chinook (C.5).

Seven days per week. All salmon except no chum beginning August 1; two fish per day, plus two additional pink salmon. All coho must be marked (C.1). Beginning August 1, Chinook non-retention east of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line (C.4.a) during Council managed ocean fishery. See gear restrictions and definitions (C.2, C.3). Inseason management may be used to sustain season length and keep harvest within the overall Chinook and coho recreational TACs for north of Cape Falcon (C.5).

—Cape Alava to Queets River (La Push Subarea)

June 29 through earlier of September 22 or 1,890 marked coho subarea quota with a subarea guideline of 1,650 Chinook (C.5).Start Printed Page 25873

September 28 through earlier of October 13 or 50 marked coho quota or 50 Chinook quota (C.5) in the area north of 47°50′00″ N. lat. and south of 48°00′00″ N. lat.

Seven days per week. All salmon; two fish per day, plus two additional pink salmon. All coho must be marked (see Ocean Boat Limits, C.1). See gear restrictions (C.2, C.3). Inseason management may be used to sustain season length and keep harvest within the overall Chinook and coho recreational TACs for north of Cape Falcon (C.5).

—Queets River to Leadbetter Point (Westport Subarea)

June 23 through earlier of September 30 or 27,660 marked coho subarea quota with a subarea guideline of 23,500 Chinook (C.5).

Sunday through Thursday. All salmon; two fish per day, no more than one of which can be a Chinook. All coho must be marked (C.1). See gear restrictions and definitions (C.2, C.3). Grays Harbor Control Zone closed beginning August 11 (C.4). Inseason management may be used to sustain season length and keep harvest within the overall Chinook and coho recreational TACs for north of Cape Falcon (C.5).

—Leadbetter Point to Cape Falcon (Columbia River Subarea)

June 22 through earlier of September 30 or 37,380 marked coho subarea quota with a subarea guideline of 9,900 Chinook (C.5).

Seven days per week. All salmon; two fish per day, only one of which can be a Chinook. All coho must be marked (C.1). See gear restrictions and definitions (C.2, C.3). Columbia Control Zone closed (C.4). Inseason management may be used to sustain season length and keep harvest within the overall Chinook and coho recreational TACs for north of Cape Falcon (C.5).

South of Cape Falcon, OR

—Cape Falcon to Humbug Mountain

March 15 through October 31 (C.6), except as provided below during the all-salmon mark-selective and September non-mark-selective coho fisheries.

Seven days per week. All salmon except coho; two fish per day (B, C.1). Chinook minimum size limit of 24 inches total length (B). See gear restrictions and definitions (C.2, C.3).

Non-mark-selective coho fishery: September 1 through the earlier of September 30 or a landed catch of 16,000 non-mark-selective coho quota (C.5).

September 1 through 2, then Thursday through Saturday thereafter; all salmon, two fish per day (C.5);

September 3 through 4, then Sunday through Wednesday thereafter; all salmon except coho, two fish per day. The all salmon except coho season reopens the earlier of October 1 or attainment of the coho quota. Open days may be adjusted inseason to utilize the available coho quota (C.5).

In 2014, the season between Cape Falcon and Humbug Mountain will open March 15 for all salmon except coho, two fish per day (B, C.1, C.2, C.3).

Fishing in the Stonewall Bank yelloweye rockfish conservation area restricted to trolling only on days the all depth recreational halibut fishery is open (call the halibut fishing hotline 1-800-662-9825 for specific dates) (C.3.b, C.4.d).

—Cape Falcon to Oregon/California Border

All-salmon mark-selective coho fishery: July 1 through earlier of July 31 or a landed catch of 10,500 marked coho.

Seven days per week. All salmon, two fish per day. All retained coho must be marked (C.1). Any remainder of the mark selective coho quota will be transferred on an impact neutral basis to the September non-selective coho quota from Cape Falcon to Humbug Mountain (C.5). The all salmon except coho season reopens the earlier of August 1 or attainment of the coho quota.

—Humbug Mountain to Oregon/California Border (Oregon KMZ)

May 1 through September 8, except as provided above during the all-salmon mark-selective coho fishery (C.6).

All salmon except coho, except as noted above in the all-salmon mark-selective coho fishery. Seven days per week, two fish per day (C.1). Chinook minimum size limit of 24 inches total length (B). See gear restrictions and definitions (C.2, C.3).

—Oregon/California Border to Horse Mountain (California KMZ)

May 1 through September 8 (C.6).

Seven days per week. All salmon except coho, two fish per day (C.1). Chinook minimum size limit of 20 inches total length (B). See gear restrictions and definitions (C.2, C.3). Klamath Control Zone closed in August (C.4.e). See California State regulations for additional closures adjacent to the Smith, Eel, and Klamath Rivers.

—Horse Mountain to Point Arena (Fort Bragg)

April 6 through November 10.

Seven days per week. All salmon except coho, two fish per day (C.1). Chinook minimum size limit of 20 inches total length (B). See gear restrictions and definitions (C.2, C.3).

In 2014, season opens April 5 for all salmon except coho, two fish per day (C.1). Chinook minimum size limit of 20 inches total length (B); and the same gear restrictions as in 2013 (C.2, C.3). This opening could be modified following Council review at its March 2014 meeting.

—Point Arena to Pigeon Point (San Francisco)

April 6 through November 10.

Open five days per week (Wednesday through Sunday) June 1 through July 9, seven days per week otherwise. All salmon except coho, two fish per day (C.1). Chinook minimum size limit of 24 inches total length through July 31; 20 inches thereafter (B). See gear restrictions and definitions (C.2, C.3).

In 2014, season opens April 5 for all salmon except coho, two fish per day (C.1). Chinook minimum size limit of 24 inches total length (B); and the same gear restrictions as in 2013 (C.2, C.3). This opening could be modified following Council review at its March 2014 meeting.

—Pigeon Point to U.S./Mexico Border (Monterey)

April 6 through October 6.

Open five days per week (Wednesday through Sunday) June 1 through July 9, seven days per week otherwise. All salmon except coho, two fish per day (C.1). Chinook minimum size limit of 24 inches total length (B). See gear restrictions and definitions (C.2, C.3).

California State regulations require that all salmon be made available to a CDFW representative for sampling immediately at port of landing. Any person in possession of a salmon with a missing adipose fin, upon request by an authorized agent or employee of the CDFW, shall immediately relinquish the head of the salmon to the state (California Fish and Game Code § 8226).Start Printed Page 25874

B. Minimum Size (Total Length in Inches) (See C.1)

Area (when open)	Chinook	Coho	Pink
North of Cape Falcon	24.0	16.0	None
Cape Falcon to Humbug Mountain	24.0	16.0	None
Humbug Mt. to OR/CA Border	24.0	16.0	None
OR/CA Border to Horse Mountain	20.0		20.0
Horse Mountain to Point Arena	20.0		20.0
Point Arena to Pigeon Point:
April 6 to July 31	24.0		24.0
August 1 to November 10	20.0		20.0
Pigeon Point to U.S./Mexico Border	24.0		24.0
Metric equivalents: 24.0 in = 61.0 cm, 20.0 in = 50.8 cm, and 16.0 in = 40.6 cm.

C. Special Requirements, Definitions, Restrictions, or Exceptions

C.1. Compliance With Minimum Size and Other Special Restrictions

All salmon on board a vessel must meet the minimum size or other special requirements for the area being fished and the area in which they are landed if that area is open. Salmon may be landed in an area that is closed only if they meet the minimum size or other special requirements for the area in which they were caught.

Ocean Boat Limits: Off the coast of Washington, Oregon, and California, each fisher aboard a vessel may continue to use angling gear until the combined daily limits of Chinook and coho salmon for all licensed and juvenile anglers aboard have been attained (additional state restrictions may apply).

C.2. Gear Restrictions

Salmon may be taken only by hook and line using barbless hooks. All persons fishing for salmon, and all persons fishing from a boat with salmon on board, must meet the gear restrictions listed below for specific areas or seasons.

a. U.S./Canada Border to Point Conception, California: No more than one rod may be used per angler; and no more than two single point, single shank barbless hooks are required for all fishing gear. [Note: ODFW regulations in the state-water fishery off Tillamook Bay may allow the use of barbed hooks to be consistent with inside regulations.]

b. Horse Mountain, California, to Point Conception, California: Single point, single shank, barbless circle hooks (see gear definitions below) are required when fishing with bait by any means other than trolling, and no more than two such hooks shall be used. When angling with two hooks, the distance between the hooks must not exceed five inches when measured from the top of the eye of the top hook to the inner base of the curve of the lower hook, and both hooks must be permanently tied in place (hard tied). Circle hooks are not required when artificial lures are used without bait.

C.3. Gear Definitions

a. Recreational fishing gear defined: Off Oregon and Washington, angling tackle consists of a single line that must be attached to a rod and reel held by hand or closely attended; the rod and reel must be held by hand while playing a hooked fish. No person may use more than one rod and line while fishing off Oregon or Washington. Off California, the line must be attached to a rod and reel held by hand or closely attended; weights directly attached to a line may not exceed four pounds (1.8 kg). While fishing off California north of Point Conception, no person fishing for salmon, and no person fishing from a boat with salmon on board, may use more than one rod and line. Fishing includes any activity which can reasonably be expected to result in the catching, taking, or harvesting of fish.

b. Trolling defined: Angling from a boat or floating device that is making way by means of a source of power, other than drifting by means of the prevailing water current or weather conditions.

c. Circle hook defined: A hook with a generally circular shape and a point which turns inward, pointing directly to the shank at a 90° angle.

C.4. Control Zone Definitions

a. The Bonilla-Tatoosh Line—A line running from the western end of Cape Flattery to Tatoosh Island Lighthouse (48°23′30″ N. lat., 124°44′12″ W. long.) to the buoy adjacent to Duntze Rock (48°24′37″ N. lat., 124°44′37″ W. long.), then in a straight line to Bonilla Point (48°35′39″ N. lat., 124°42′58″ W. long.) on Vancouver Island, British Columbia.

b. Grays Harbor Control Zone—The area defined by a line drawn from the Westport Lighthouse (46°53′18″ N. lat., 124°07′01″ W. long.) to Buoy #2 (46°52′42″ N. lat., 124°12′42″ W. long.) to Buoy #3 (46°55′00″ N. lat., 124°14′48″ W. long.) to the Grays Harbor north jetty (46°55′36″ N. lat., 124°10′51″ W. long.).

c. Columbia Control Zone—An area at the Columbia River mouth, bounded on the west by a line running northeast/southwest between the red lighted Buoy #4 (46°13′35″ N. lat., 124°06′50″ W. long.) and the green lighted Buoy #7 (46°15′09″ N. lat., 124°06′16″ W. long.); on the east, by the Buoy #10 line which bears north/south at 357° true from the south jetty at 46°14′00″ N. lat., 124°03′07″ W. long. to its intersection with the north jetty; on the north, by a line running northeast/southwest between the green lighted Buoy #7 to the tip of the north jetty (46°15′48″ N. lat., 124°05′20″ W. long.) and then along the north jetty to the point of intersection with the Buoy #10 line; and on the south, by a line running northeast/southwest between the red lighted Buoy #4 and tip of the south jetty (46°14′03″ N. lat., 124°04′05″ W. long.), and then along the south jetty to the point of intersection with the Buoy #10 line.

d. Stonewall Bank yelloweye rockfish conservation area—The area defined by the following coordinates in the order listed:

44°37.46′ N. lat.; 124°24.92′ W. long.;

44°37.46′ N. lat.; 124°23.63′ W. long.;

44°28.71′ N. lat.; 124°21.80′ W. long.;

44°28.71′ N. lat.; 124°24.10′ W. long.;

44°31.42′ N. lat.; 124°25.47′ W. long.;

and connecting back to 44°37.46′ N. lat.; 124°24.92′ W. long.

e. Klamath Control Zone—The ocean area at the Klamath River mouth bounded on the north by 41°38′48″ N. lat. (approximately six nautical miles north of the Klamath River mouth); on the west, by 124°23′00″ W. long. (approximately 12 nautical miles off shore); and, on the south, by 41°26′48″ N. lat. (approximately 6 nautical miles south of the Klamath River mouth).

C.5. Inseason Management

Regulatory modifications may become necessary inseason to meet preseason Start Printed Page 25875management objectives such as quotas, harvest guidelines, and season duration. In addition to standard inseason actions or modifications already noted under the season description, the following inseason guidance applies:

a. Actions could include modifications to bag limits, or days open to fishing, and extensions or reductions in areas open to fishing.

b. Coho may be transferred inseason among recreational subareas north of Cape Falcon to help meet the recreational season duration objectives (for each subarea) after conferring with representatives of the affected ports and the Council's SAS recreational representatives north of Cape Falcon, and if the transfer would not result in exceeding preseason impact expectations on any stocks.

c. Chinook and coho may be transferred between the recreational and commercial fisheries north of Cape Falcon if there is agreement among the representatives of the SAS, and if the transfer would not result in exceeding preseason impact expectations on any stocks.

d. Fishery managers may consider inseason action modifying regulations restricting retention of unmarked coho. To remain consistent with preseason expectations, any inseason action shall consider, if significant, the difference between observed and preseason forecasted mark rates. Such a consideration may also include a change in bag limit of two salmon, no more than one of which may be a coho.

e. Marked coho remaining from the July Cape Falcon to Oregon/California border recreational coho quota may be transferred inseason to the September Cape Falcon to Humbug Mountain non-mark-selective recreational fishery if the transfer would not result in exceeding preseason impact expectations on any stocks.

C.6. Additional Seasons in State Territorial Waters

Consistent with Council management objectives, the States of Washington, Oregon, and California may establish limited seasons in state waters. Check state regulations for details.

Section 3. Treaty Indian Management Measures for 2013 Ocean Salmon Fisheries

Parts A, B, and C of this section contain requirements that must be followed for lawful participation in the fishery.

A. Season Descriptions

May 1 through the earlier of June 30 or 26,250 Chinook quota. All salmon except coho. If the Chinook quota for the May through June fishery is not fully utilized, the excess fish may be transferred into the later all-salmon season (C.5.a). If the Chinook quota is exceeded, the excess will be deducted from the later all-salmon season (C.5). See size limit (B) and other restrictions (C).

July 1 through the earlier of September 15, or 26,250 preseason Chinook quota (C.5), or 47,500 coho quota. All salmon. See size limit (B) and other restrictions (C).

B. Minimum Size (Inches)

Area (when open)	Chinook		Coho		Pink
Area (when open)	Total	Head-off	Total	Head-off	Pink
North of Cape Falcon	24.0	18.0	16.0	12.0	None
Metric equivalents: 24.0 in = 61.0 cm, 18.0 in = 45.7 cm, 16.0 in = 40.6 cm, and 12.0 in = 30.5 cm.

C. Special Requirements, Restrictions, and Exceptions

C.1. Tribe and Area Boundaries.

All boundaries may be changed to include such other areas as may hereafter be authorized by a Federal court for that tribe's treaty fishery.

S'KLALLAM—Washington State Statistical Area 4B (All).

MAKAH—Washington State Statistical Area 4B and that portion of the FMA north of 48°02′15″ N. lat. (Norwegian Memorial) and east of 125°44′00″ W. long.

QUILEUTE—That portion of the FMA between 48°07′36″ N. lat. (Sand Pt.) and 47°31′42″ N. lat. (Queets River) and east of 125°44′00″ W. long.

HOH—That portion of the FMA between 47°54′18″ N. lat. (Quillayute River) and 47°21′00″ N. lat. (Quinault River) and east of 125°44′00″ W. long.

QUINAULT—That portion of the FMA between 47°40′06″ N. lat. (Destruction Island) and 46°53′18″ N. lat. (Point Chehalis) and east of 125°44′00″ W. long.

C.2. Gear Restrictions

a. Single point, single shank, barbless hooks are required in all fisheries.

b. No more than eight fixed lines per boat.

c. No more than four hand held lines per person in the Makah area fishery (Washington State Statistical Area 4B and that portion of the FMA north of 48°02′15″ N. lat. (Norwegian Memorial) and east of 125°44′00″ W. long.).

C.3. Quotas

a. The quotas include troll catches by the S'Klallam and Makah tribes in Washington State Statistical Area 4B from May 1 through September 15.

b. The Quileute Tribe will continue a ceremonial and subsistence fishery during the time frame of September 15 through October 15 in the same manner as in 2004 through 2012. Fish taken during this fishery are to be counted against treaty troll quotas established for the 2013 season (estimated harvest during the October ceremonial and subsistence fishery: 100 Chinook; 200 coho).

C.4. Area Closures

a. The area within a six nautical mile radius of the mouths of the Queets River (47°31′42″ N. lat.) and the Hoh River (47°45′12″ N. lat.) will be closed to commercial fishing.

b. A closure within two nautical miles of the mouth of the Quinault River (47°21′00″ N. lat.) may be enacted by the Quinault Nation and/or the State of Washington and will not adversely affect the Secretary of Commerce's management regime.

C.5. Inseason Management

In addition to standard inseason actions or modifications already noted under the season description, the following inseason guidance applies:

a. Chinook remaining from the May through June treaty-Indian ocean troll harvest guideline north of Cape Falcon may be transferred to the July through September harvest guideline on a fishery impact equivalent basis.

Section 4. Halibut Retention

Under the authority of the Northern Pacific Halibut Act, NMFS promulgated regulations governing the Pacific halibut fishery, which appear at 50 CFR part 300, subpart E. On March 15, 2013, NMFS published a final rule (78 FR 16423) to implement the IPHC's recommendations, to announce fishery Start Printed Page 25876regulations for U.S. waters off Alaska and fishery regulations for treaty commercial and ceremonial and subsistence fisheries, some regulations for non-treaty commercial fisheries for U.S. waters off the West Coast, and approval of and implementation of the Area 2A Pacific halibut Catch Sharing Plan and the Area 2A management measures for 2013. The regulations and management measures provide that vessels participating in the salmon troll fishery in Area 2A (all waters off the States of Washington, Oregon, and California), which have obtained the appropriate IPHC license, may retain halibut caught incidentally during authorized periods in conformance with provisions published with the annual salmon management measures. A salmon troller may participate in the halibut incidental catch fishery during the salmon troll season or in the directed commercial fishery targeting halibut, but not both.

The following measures have been approved by the IPHC, and implemented by NMFS. During authorized periods, the operator of a vessel that has been issued an incidental halibut harvest license may retain Pacific halibut caught incidentally in Area 2A while trolling for salmon. Halibut retained must be no less than 32 inches (81.28 cm) in total length, measured from the tip of the lower jaw with the mouth closed to the extreme end of the middle of the tail, and must be landed with the head on. License applications for incidental harvest must be obtained from the International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) (phone: 206-634-1838). Applicants must apply prior to April 1, 2013 for 2013 permits and mid-March 2014 (exact date to be set by the IPHC in early 2014) for 2014 permits. Incidental harvest is authorized only during May and June of the 2013 troll seasons and April, May, and June of the 2014 troll seasons and after June 30 in 2013 or 2014 if quota remains and if announced on the NMFS hotline (phone: 800-662-9825). Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), ODFW, and CDFW will monitor landings. If the landings are projected to exceed the 30,600 pound preseason allocation or the total Area 2A non-Indian commercial halibut allocation, NMFS will take inseason action to prohibit retention of halibut in the non-Indian salmon troll fishery.

NMFS and the Council request that salmon trollers voluntarily avoid a “C-shaped” YRCA (also known as the Salmon Troll YRCA) in order to protect yelloweye rockfish. Coordinates for the Salmon Troll YRCA are defined at 50 CFR 660.70(a) in the North Coast subarea (Washington marine area 3). See Section 1.C.7. in this document for the coordinates.

Section 5. Geographical Landmarks

Wherever the words “nautical miles off shore” are used in this document, the distance is measured from the baseline from which the territorial sea is measured.

Geographical landmarks referenced in this document are at the following locations:

Cape Flattery, WA	48°23′00″ N. lat.
Cape Alava, WA	48°10′00″ N. lat.
Queets River, WA	47°31′42″ N. lat.
Leadbetter Point, WA	46°38′10″ N. lat.
Cape Falcon, OR	45°46′00″ N. lat.
Florence South Jetty, OR	44°00′54″ N. lat.
Humbug Mountain, OR	42°40′30″ N. lat.
Oregon-California Border	42°00′00″ N. lat.
Humboldt South Jetty, CA	40°45′53″ N. lat.
Horse Mountain, CA	40°05′00″ N. lat.
Point Arena, CA	38°57′30″ N. lat.
Point Reyes, CA	37°59′44″ N. lat.
Point San Pedro, CA	37°35′40″ N. lat.
Pigeon Point, CA	37°11′00″ N. lat.
Point Sur, CA	36°18′00″ N. lat.
Point Conception, CA	34°27′00″ N. lat.

Section 6. Inseason Notice Procedures

Actual notice of inseason management actions will be provided by a telephone hotline administered by the Northwest Region, NMFS, 206-526-6667 or 800-662-9825, and by U.S. Coast Guard Notice to Mariners broadcasts. These broadcasts are announced on Channel 16 VHF-FM and 2182 KHz at frequent intervals. The announcements designate the channel or frequency over which the Notice to Mariners will be immediately broadcast. Inseason actions will also be filed with the Federal Register as soon as practicable. Since provisions of these management measures may be altered by inseason actions, fishermen should monitor either the telephone hotline or Coast Guard broadcasts for current information for the area in which they are fishing.

Classification

This final rule is necessary for conservation and management of Pacific coast salmon stocks and is consistent with the Magnuson-Stevens Act and other applicable law. These regulations are being promulgated under the authority of 16 U.S.C. 1855(d) and 16 U.S.C. 773(c).

This notification of annual management measures is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866.

The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries finds good cause under 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(B), to waive the requirement for prior notice and opportunity for public comment, as such procedures are impracticable and contrary to the public interest.

The annual salmon management cycle begins May 1 and continues through April 30 of the following year. May 1 was chosen because the pre-May harvests constitute a relatively small portion of the annual catch. The time-frame of the preseason process for determining the annual modifications to ocean salmon fishery management measures depends on when the pertinent biological data are available. Salmon stocks are managed to meet annual spawning escapement goals or specific exploitation rates. Achieving either of these objectives requires designing management measures that are appropriate for the ocean abundance predicted for that year. These pre-season abundance forecasts, which are derived from the previous year's observed spawning escapement, vary substantially from year to year, and are not available until January or February because spawning escapement continues through the fall.

The preseason planning and public review process associated with developing Council recommendations is initiated in February as soon as the forecast information becomes available. The public planning process requires coordination of management actions of four states, numerous Indian tribes, and the Federal Government, all of which have management authority over the stocks. This complex process includes the affected user groups, as well as the general public. The process is compressed into a 2-month period culminating with the April Council meeting at which the Council adopts a recommendation that is forwarded to NMFS for review, approval, and implementation of fishing regulations effective on May 1.

Providing opportunity for prior notice and public comments on the Council's recommended measures through a proposed and final rulemaking process Start Printed Page 25877would require 30 to 60 days in addition to the two-month period required for development of the regulations. Delaying implementation of annual fishing regulations, which are based on the current stock abundance projections, for an additional 60 days would require that fishing regulations for May and June be set in the previous year, without the benefit of information regarding current stock status. For the 2013 fishing regulations, the current stock status was not available to the Council until February. Because a substantial amount of fishing occurs during May and June, managing the fishery with measures developed using the prior year's data could have significant adverse effects on the managed stocks, including ESA-listed stocks. Although salmon fisheries that open prior to May are managed under the prior year's measures, as modified by the Council at its March meeting, relatively little harvest occurs during that period (e.g., on average, less than 5 percent of commercial and recreational harvest occurred prior to May 1 during the years 2001 through 2010). Allowing the much more substantial harvest levels normally associated with the May and June salmon seasons to be promulgated under the prior year's regulations would impair NMFS' ability to protect weak and ESA-listed salmon stocks, and to provide harvest opportunity where appropriate. The choice of May 1 as the beginning of the regulatory season balances the need to gather and analyze the data needed to meet the management objectives of the Salmon FMP and the need to manage the fishery using the best available scientific information.

If these measures are not in place on May 1, the 2012 management measures will continue to apply in most areas. This would result in excessive impacts to some salmon stocks, most notably ESA-listed Sacramento River winter Chinook salmon.

Overall, the annual population dynamics of the various salmon stocks require managers to vary the season structure of the various West Coast area fisheries to both protect weaker stocks and give fishers access to stronger salmon stocks, particularly hatchery produced fish. Failure to implement these measures immediately could compromise the status of certain stocks, or result in foregone opportunity to harvest stocks whose abundance has increased relative to the previous year thereby undermining the purpose of this agency action.

In addition, public comment is received and considered by the Council and NMFS throughout the process of developing these management measures. As described above, the Council takes comment at its March and April meetings, and hears summaries of comments received at public meetings held between the March and April meetings in each of the coastal states. NMFS also invited comments in a notice published prior to the March Council meeting, and considered comments received by the Council through its representative on the Council. Thus, these measures were developed with significant public input.

Based upon the above-described need to have these measures effective on May 1 and the fact that there is limited time available to implement these new measures after the final Council meeting in April and before the commencement of the ocean salmon fishing year on May 1, NMFS has concluded it is impracticable, unnecessary, and contrary to the public interest to provide an opportunity for prior notice and public comment under 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(B).

The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries also finds that good cause exists under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3), to waive the 30-day delay in effectiveness of this final rule. As previously discussed, data are not available until February and management measures are not finalized until mid-April. These measures are essential to conserve threatened and endangered ocean salmon stocks, and to provide for harvest of more abundant stocks. Delaying the effectiveness of these measures by 30 days could compromise the ability of some stocks to attain their conservation objectives, preclude harvest opportunity, and negatively impact anticipated international, state, and tribal salmon fisheries, thereby undermining the purposes of this agency action and the requirements of the Magnuson-Stevens Act.

To enhance the fishing industry's notification of these new measures, and to minimize the burden on the regulated community required to comply with the new regulations, NMFS is announcing the new measures over the telephone hotline used for inseason management actions and is posting the regulations on both of its West Coast regional Web sites (www.nwr.noaa.gov and swr.nmfs.noaa.gov). NMFS is also advising the States of Washington, Oregon, and California on the new management measures. These states announce the seasons for applicable state and Federal fisheries through their own public notification systems.

This action contains collection-of-information requirements subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA), and which have been approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under control number 0648-0433. The public reporting burden for providing notifications if landing area restrictions cannot be met is estimated to average 15 minutes per response. This estimate includes the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate, or any other aspect of this data collection, including suggestions for reducing the burden, to NMFS (see ADDRESSES) and by email to OIRA.Submission@omb.eop.gov, or fax to 202-395-7285.

Notwithstanding any other provision of the law, no person is required to respond to, nor shall any person be subject to a penalty for failure to comply with, a collection of information subject to the requirements of the PRA, unless that collection of information displays a currently valid OMB control number.

NMFS has current ESA biological opinions that cover fishing under these regulations on all listed salmon species. NMFS reiterated their consultation standards for all ESA listed salmon and steelhead species in their annual Guidance letter to the Council dated February 28, 2013. Some of NMFS past biological opinions have found no jeopardy, and others have found jeopardy, but provided reasonable and prudent alternatives to avoid jeopardy. The management measures for 2013 are consistent with the biological opinions that found no jeopardy, and with the reasonable and prudent alternatives in the jeopardy biological opinions. The Council's recommended management measures therefore comply with NMFS' consultation standards and guidance for all listed salmon species which may be affected by Council fisheries. In many cases, the recommended measures are more restrictive than NMFS' ESA requirements.

In 2009, NMFS consulted on the effects of fishing under the Salmon FMP on the endangered Southern Resident Killer Whale Distinct Population Segment (SRKW) and concluded the salmon fisheries were not likely to jeopardize SRKW. The 2013 salmon management measures are consistent with the terms of that biological opinion.

This final rule was developed after meaningful consultation and collaboration with the affected tribes. The tribal representative on the Council made the motion for the regulations that apply to the tribal vessels.

Start Printed Page 25878 Authority: 16 U.S.C. 773-773k; 1801 et seq.

Dated: April 29, 2013.

Alan D. Risenhoover,

Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, performing the functions and duties of the Deputy Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.

[FR Doc. 2013-10462 Filed 4-30-13; 4:15 pm]

BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

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Document Information

Comments Received:: 0 Comments
Effective Date:: 5/1/2013
Published:: 05/03/2013
Department:: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Entry Type:: Rule
Action:: Final rule; notice of availability of an environmental assessment.
Document Number:: 2013-10462
Dates:: This final rule is effective from 0001 hours Pacific Daylight Time, May 1, 2013, until the effective date of the 2014 management measures, as published in the Federal Register. Comments regarding the reporting burden estimate or any other aspect of the collection-of- information requirements in these management measures may be submitted at any time.
Pages:: 25865-25878 (14 pages)
Docket Numbers:: Docket No. 130108020-3409-01
RINs:: 0648-XC43
PDF File:: 2013-10462.pdf
CFR: (1): 50 CFR 660