[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 164 (Thursday, August 24, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 43983-43984]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-21090]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 43984]]
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 661
[Docket No. 950426116-5116-01; I.D. 081695B]
Ocean Salmon Fisheries off the Coasts of Washington, Oregon, and
California; Inseason Adjustment, U.S.-Canadian Border to Carroll
Island, WA
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Inseason adjustment.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NMFS announces that the possession and landing limit in the
commercial salmon fishery in the area from the U.S.-Canada border to
Carroll Island, WA, was increased to 200 coho per opening beginning
August 12, 1995. This adjustment is intended to provide additional
fishing opportunity to commercial fishermen.
DATES: Effective 0001 hours local time, August 12, 1995, through
September 15, 1995. Comments will be accepted through September 7,
1995.
ADDRESSES: Comments may be mailed to William Stelle, Jr., Director,
Northwest Region, National Marine Fisheries 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
Director Northwest Region, NMFS (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 the U.S.-Canadian border
and Carroll Island, WA, would open on August 5 and fishing would follow
a cycle of 4 days open and 3 days closed. The fishery would close the
earliest of September 15, attainment of the adjusted 25,000 coho salmon
quota (60 FR 40302, August 8, 1995), or attainment of the 160,000 pink
salmon guideline. Each vessel would be able to possess, land and
deliver no more than 80 coho per open period.
The best available information on August 10 indicated that
commercial catch and effort rates were low during August 5 to 8, the
first open period, with catches totaling 3,300 coho salmon and 6,000
pink salmon. The preseason objective for the possession and landing
limit was to provide commercial fishermen a minimal allowance for coho
salmon while providing access to pink salmon. Pink salmon are currently
available in the fishery. Increasing the possession and landing limit
to 200 coho salmon per opening would provide additional fishing
opportunity to commercial fishermen by increasing access to coho salmon
without exceeding the ocean share allocated to the commercial fishery
in this area. Modification of limited retention regulations is
authorized by regulations at 50 CFR 661.21(b)(1)(ii). All other
restrictions that apply to this fishery remain in effect as announced
in the annual management measures.
The Regional Director consulted with representatives of the Pacific
Fishery Management Council and the Washington Department of Fish and
Wildlife regarding this adjustment. The State of Washington will manage
the commercial fishery in State waters adjacent to this area 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, August 12, 1995, by telephone hotline number
(206) 526-6667 or (800) 662-9825 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 to provide commercial fishermen with
additional fishing opportunity, 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 treaty
Indian fisheries or 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: August 21, 1995.
Richard H. Schaefer,
Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, National
Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 95-21090 Filed 8-23-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F
