[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 162 (Tuesday, August 22, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 43564-43565]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-20768]



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


DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
50 CFR Part 661

[Docket No. 950426116-5116-01; I.D. 080995C]


Ocean Salmon Fisheries Off the Coasts of Washington, Oregon, and 
California; Closure from the U.S.-Canadian border to Cape Alava, WA

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 the U.S.-Canadian border to Cape Alava, WA, was closed at 
midnight, August 4, 1995. The Director, Northwest Region, NMFS 
(Regional Director), has determined that the recreational quota of 
7,100 coho salmon for the area has been reached. This action is 
necessary to conform to the preseason announcement of the 1995 
management measures and is intended to ensure conservation of coho 
salmon.

DATES: Effective at 2400 hours local time, August 4, 1995 through 
September 28, 1995. Comments will be accepted through September 5, 
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 
Regional Director.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Regulations governing the ocean salmon 
fisheries at 50 CFR 661.21(a)(1) state that 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, NMFS 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 the U.S.-Canadian border and Cape Alava, WA, would 
open on August 1 and continue through September 28 or attainment of the 
5,850 coho salmon quota, whichever occured first. An inseason 
adjustment was made to increase the coho salmon quota in this area to 
7,100 fish (60 FR 40302, August 8, 1995).
    The best available information on August 2 indicated that 
recreational catches in the area totaled over 1,500 coho salmon on 
August 1, the first day of the fishery. Based on that catch level, 
recreational fishing could continue for 4 days without exceeding the 
quota. A fifth day of fishing would greatly exceed the quota. 
Therefore, NMFS determined to close the fishery at midnight, August 4.
    The Regional Director consulted with representatives of the Pacific 
Fishery Management Council and the Washington Department of Fish and 
Wildlife regarding this closure. The State of Washington 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 to fishermen of this action was given prior to 2400 hours local 
time, August 4, 1995, 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 coho salmon, NMFS has determined that 

[[Page 43565]]
good cause exists for this action to be issued without affording a 
prior opportunity for public comment. This action 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: August 16, 1995.
Richard W. Surdi,
Acting Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 95-20768 Filed 8-21-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F