[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