[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]



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[[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.

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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