95-14949. Ocean Salmon Fisheries Off the Coasts of Washington, Oregon, and California; Inseason Adjustments

[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 119 (Wednesday, June 21, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 32277-32278]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-14949]



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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 661

[Docket No. 950426116-5116-01; I.D. 060195D]


Ocean Salmon Fisheries Off the Coasts of Washington, Oregon, and 
California; Inseason Adjustments

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

ACTION: Inseason adjustments.

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SUMMARY: NMFS announces that the commercial salmon fishery in the area 
from Sisters Rocks to House Rock, OR, opened 7 days a week beginning 
May 18, 1995. This adjustment is intended to provide additional fishing 
opportunity to commercial fishermen and maximize the harvest of chinook 
salmon without exceeding the ocean share allocated to the commercial 
fishery in this area. NMFS also announces that the gear restriction in 
the recreational fishery between Cape Falcon and Humbug Mountain, OR, 
is modified to be consistent with state regulations.

DATES: The modification of fishing days per week was effective at 0001 
hours local time, May 18, 1995, until July 1, 1995. The modification of 
the gear restriction is effective on June 16, 1995 until July 1, 1995. 
Comments will be accepted through July 3, 1995.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be mailed to William Stelle, Jr., Director, 
Northwest Region, National Marine Fisheries [[Page 32278]] Service, 
NOAA, 7600 Sand Point Way NE., BIN C15700-Bldg. 1, Seattle, WA 98115-
0070. Information relevant to this notice has been compiled in 
aggregate form and is available for public review during business hours 
at the office of the NMFS Northwest Regional Director.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: William L. Robinson, 206-526-6140.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In the annual management measures for ocean 
salmon fisheries (60 FR 21746, May 3, 1995), NMFS announced that the 
1995 commercial fishery in the area between Sisters Rocks and House 
Rock, OR, would open on May 1 and fishing would be allowed on 
designated days (May 1-2, 5-6, 10-11, 14-15, 18-19, 23-24, 27-28, and 
31) or until attainment of the quota. The preseason objective for 
implementing the open/closure cycle was to dampen catch rates and 
extend the fishing season for as long as possible.
    The best available information on May 16 indicated that commercial 
catch and effort rates have been low, with catches totaling 155 chinook 
salmon. The fishery is scheduled to close the earlier of May 31 or 
attainment of the 1,000-chinook salmon quota. The preseason management 
measure that opened this fishery for 2-day periods is being rescinded 
because its use as a catch dampening measure is now considered to be 
too restrictive. Conversion to a 7-day fishing week would provide 
additional fishing opportunity to commercial fishermen to increase 
access to chinook salmon.
    In the annual management measures (60 FR 21746, May 3, 1995), NMFS 
announced a gear restriction in the 1995 recreational fishery in the 
area between Cape Falcon and Humbug Mountain, OR, that included the 
provision that all attractors, including divers, are prohibited. The 
State of Oregon has implemented regulations with a less restrictive 
provision that allows use of uncolored divers. Therefore, to make 
Federal regulations consistent with State regulations, in note C.2. of 
Table 2, on page 21756, the last phrase starting with ``all 
attractors'' is amended to read: ``all attractors, such as flashers or 
colored divers, are prohibited; uncolored divers are not considered 
attractors.''
    Modifications of fishing seasons and gear restrictions are 
authorized by regulations at 50 CFR 661.21(b)(1)(i) and (iv), 
respectively. All other restrictions that apply to these fisheries 
remain in effect as announced in the annual management measures.
    The Director Northwest Region, NMFS, consulted with representatives 
of the Pacific Fishery Management Council and the Oregon Department of 
Fish and Wildlife regarding these adjustments affecting the commercial 
fishery between Sisters Rocks and House Rock and the recreational 
fishery between Cape Falcon and Humbug Mountain. The State of Oregon 
will manage the commercial and recreational fisheries in state waters 
adjacent to these areas of the exclusive economic zone in accordance 
with this Federal action. In accordance with the inseason notice 
procedures of 50 CFR 661.23, actual notice to fishermen of the fishing 
season action was given prior to 0001 hours local time, May 18, 1995, 
by telephone hotline number [phone] or [phone] and by 
U.S. Coast Guard Notice to Mariners broadcasts on Channel 16 VHF-FM and 
2182 kHz. Because of the need for immediate action in order to take 
advantage of the opportunity to harvest the quota, and to conform 
Federal regulations with state regulations, NMFS has determined that 
good cause exists for this notice to be issued without affording a 
prior opportunity for public comment. This notice does not apply to 
other fisheries that may be operating in other areas.

Classification

    This action is authorized by 50 CFR 661.21 and 661.23 and is exempt 
from review under E.O. 12866.

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

    Dated: June 13, 1995.
Richard W. Surdi,
Acting Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 95-14949 Filed 6-16-95; 4:31 pm]
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