[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 182 (Wednesday, September 20, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 48673-48674]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-23258]



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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
50 CFR Part 661

[Docket No. 950426116-5116-01; I.D. 090895B]


Ocean Salmon Fisheries off the Coasts of Washington, Oregon, and 
California; Closures From U.S.-Canadian Border to Carroll Island, WA, 
and from Leadbetter Point, WA to Cape Falcon, OR

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

ACTION: Closures.

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SUMMARY: NMFS announces that the commercial salmon fishery in the area 
from the U.S.-Canadian border to Carroll Island, WA, was closed at 12 
midnight, September 3, 1995, and the recreational salmon fishery in the 
area from Leadbetter Point, WA, to Cape Falcon, OR, was closed at 12 
midnight, September 5, 1995. The Director, Northwest Region, NMFS 
(Regional Director), has determined that the commercial quota of 25,000 
coho salmon and the recreational quota of 37,500 coho salmon for the 
respective areas have 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: Closure from the U.S.-Canadian border to Carroll Island, WA, 
effective at 2400 hours local time, September 3, 1995, until the 
effective date of the 1996 management measures, as published in the 
Federal Register. Closure from Leadbetter Point, WA, to Cape Falcon, 
OR, effective at 2400 hours local time, September 5, 1995, until the 
effective date of the 1996 management measures, as published in the 
Federal Register. Comments will be accepted through October 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 action 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: Under regulations at 50 CFR 661.21(a)(1), 
NMFS will close the commercial or recreational fishery, or both, for 
ocean salmon when the quota has been projected to have been reached.

    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.

    The best available information on August 31 indicated that 
commercial catches in this area totaled 21,358 coho salmon through the 
most recent opening on August 26-29. Based on the most recent catch and 
effort levels, commercial fishing could take place for an additional 2 
days without exceeding the coho salmon quota. The next scheduled 
opening for this fishery was on September 2. Therefore, NMFS determined 
to close the commercial fishery for all salmon from the U.S.-Canadian 
border to Carroll Island, WA, for the remainder of the season at 12 
midnight, September 3.
    In the annual management measures for ocean salmon fisheries, NMFS 
also announced that the 1995 recreational fishery in the area between 
Leadbetter Point, WA, and Cape Falcon, OR, would open on July 24 and 
close the earlier of September 28 or attainment of the adjusted 37,500 
coho salmon quota (60 FR 21746, May 3, 1995; revised at 60 FR 40302, 
August 8, 1995).
    The best available information on August 31 indicated that 
recreational catches in this area totaled 26,450 coho salmon through 
August 27. Based on estimated catch and effort levels, 36,150 coho 
salmon were projected to be caught through September 4, leaving 1,350 
coho salmon of the quota unharvested. This amount of fish was 
determined to provide an additional day of harvest. Therefore, NMFS 
determined to close the recreational fishery for all salmon from 
Leadbetter Point, WA, to Cape Falcon, OR, at midnight, September 5.
    The Regional Director consulted with representatives of the Pacific 
Fishery Management Council, the Washington Department of Fish and 
Wildlife, and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife regarding 
these closures. The States of Washington and Oregon will manage the 
commercial and recreational fisheries in State waters adjacent to these 
areas 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 was given to fishermen of the commercial closure 
prior to 2400 

[[Page 48674]]
hours local time, September 3, 1995, and of the recreational closure 
prior to 2400 hours local time, September 5, 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 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 12, 1995.
Richard W. Surdi,
Acting Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 95-23258 Filed 9-19-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F