[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 102 (Friday, May 24, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 26125]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-13154]



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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 661

[Docket No. 960126016-6121-04; I.D. 051796A]


Ocean Salmon Fisheries Off the Coasts of Washington, Oregon, and 
California; Cape Arago, OR, to Oregon-California Border

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 commercial salmon fishery in the area 
from Cape Arago, OR, to the Oregon-California border was opened 7 days 
a week effective midnight, May 18, 1996. This adjustment is intended to 
provide additional fishing opportunity to commercial fishermen.

DATES: Effective 2400 hours local time, May 18, 1996, through 2400 
hours local time, June 30, 1996. Comments will be accepted through June 
7, 1996.

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 (61 FR 20175, May 6, 1996), NMFS announced that the 
1996 commercial fishery in the area between Cape Arago, OR, and the 
Oregon-California border would open on May 1 and fishing would follow a 
cycle of 4 days open and 3 days closed. The fishery would close the 
earlier of June 30 or attainment of the 5,300-chinook salmon quota. The 
open/closure cycle could be modified inseason as necessary to manage 
the fishery.
    The best available information on May 15 indicated that the 
commercial catch and effort rates were low during the first two open 
periods (May 1-4 and May 8-11), with catches totaling less than 200 
chinook salmon. The preseason objective for the open/closure cycle was 
to monitor catch levels. Opening the fishing season to 7 days per week 
would provide additional fishing opportunity to commercial fishermen 
without exceeding the share allocated to the commercial fishery in this 
area. Modification of the fishing season is authorized by the annual 
management measures and the regulations at 50 CFR 661.21(b)(1)(i). 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 Oregon Department of Fish and 
Wildlife regarding this adjustment. The State of Oregon will manage the 
commercial fishery in state waters adjacent to this area of the 
exclusive economic zone in accordance with this Federal action. As 
provided by the inseason notice procedures of 50 CFR 661.23, actual 
notice to fishermen of this action was given prior to midnight, May 18, 
1996, 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.

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: May 20, 1996.
Richard H. Schaefer,
Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, National 
Marine Services Division.
[FR Doc. 96-13154 Filed 5-23-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F