[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 177 (Wednesday, September 13, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 47492-47493]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-22700]
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[[Page 47493]]
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 661
[Docket No. 950426116-5116-01; I.D. 090195B]
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.
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SUMMARY: NMFS announces that the possession, landing, and delivery
limit in the commercial salmon fishery in the area from the U.S.-
Canadian border to Carroll Island, WA, was increased to 375 coho per
opening beginning August 19, 1995. This adjustment is intended to
provide additional fishing opportunity to commercial fishermen.
DATES: Effective 0001 hours local time, August 19, 1995, through
September 15, 1995. Comments will be accepted through September 27,
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 action 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; this limit was adjusted
to 200 coho per open period effective August 12 (60 FR 43984, August
24, 1995).
The best available information on August 17 indicated that
commercial catches through August 15 totaled 9,900 coho salmon and
23,100 pink salmon. The preseason objective for the possession,
landing, and delivery 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, landing, and delivery limit to 375 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 this action was given prior to 0001 hours local
time, August 19, 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 action
to be issued without affording a prior opportunity for public comment.
This action 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: September 7, 1995.
Richard W. Surdi,
Acting Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management,
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 95-22700 Filed 9-12-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F
