[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 138 (Wednesday, July 19, 1995)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 37045-37046]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-17686]



-----------------------------------------------------------------------


DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
50 CFR Part 661

[Docket No. 950426116-5116-01; I.D. 071095B]


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

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

ACTION: Closure.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: NMFS announces that the recreational salmon fishery in the 
area from Humbug Mountain, OR, to Horse Mountain, CA, was closed at 
midnight, July 1, 1995. The Director, Northwest Region, NMFS (Regional 
Director), determined that the recreational quota of 10,600 chinook 
salmon for the area had nearly been reached. This action was necessary 
to conform to the preseason announcement of the 1995 management 
measures and was intended to ensure conservation of chinook salmon.

DATES: Effective at 2400 hours local time, July 1, 1995, until August 
16, 1995. Comments will be accepted through August 3, 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; or Hilda 
Diaz-Soltero, Director, Southwest Region, National Marine Fisheries 
Service, NOAA, 501 W. Ocean Boulevard, Suite 4200, Long Beach, CA 
90802-4213. Information relevant to this document 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, or 
Rodney R. McInnis, 310-980-4030.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Regulations governing the ocean salmon 
fisheries at 50 CFR 661.21(a)(1) state:

    When a quota for the commercial or the recreational fishery, or 
both, for any salmon species in any portion of the fishery 
management area is projected by the Regional Director to be reached 
on or by a certain date, the Secretary will, by notice issued under 
Sec. 661.23, close the commercial or recreational fishery, or both, 
for all salmon species in the portion of the fishery management area 
to which the quota applies as of the date the quota is projected to 
be reached.

    In the annual management measures for ocean salmon fisheries (60 FR 
21746, May 3, 1995), NMFS announced that the 1995 recreational fishery 
in the area between Humbug Mountain, OR, and Horse Mountain, CA, would 
open on May 17 and continue through July 8 or attainment of the 10,600 
chinook salmon quota, whichever occurs first, with the fishery open 
Wednesday through Saturday only.
    The best available information on July 3 indicated that 
recreational catches in the area totaled 10,137 chinook salmon through 
Saturday, July 1, the most recent open period. Based on catch and 
effort rates, NMFS determined that insufficient fish remained in the 
chinook salmon quota for another day's fishing. Accordingly, in order 
to avoid exceeding the quota on the next opening, NMFS determined not 
to reopen the fishery on Wednesday, July 5, its next scheduled opening.

[[Page 37046]]

    The Regional Director consulted with representatives of the Pacific 
Fishery Management Council, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, 
and the California Department of Fish and Game regarding this closure. 
The States of Oregon and California will manage the recreational 
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 of this 
action was given to fishermen prior to 0001 hours local time, July 5, 
1995, the next scheduled opening, by telephone hotline number (206) 
526-6667 and (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 conserve chinook salmon, the Secretary of Commerce 
has determined that good cause exists for this document to be issued 
without affording a prior opportunity for public comment. This document 
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: July 12, 1995.
Richard W. Surdi,
Acting Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 95-17686 Filed 7-18-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F