[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 121 (Friday, June 21, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 31873]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-15890]



=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 661

[Docket No. 960126016-6121-04; I.D. 061196C]


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

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

ACTION: Closure.

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

SUMMARY: NMFS announces that the commercial salmon fishery in the area 
from Cape Arago, OR, to the Oregon-California border was closed at 1700 
hours, June 5, 1996. The Director, Northwest Region, NMFS (Regional 
Director), has determined that the commercial quota of 5,300 chinook 
salmon for the area has been reached. This action is necessary to 
conform to the preseason announcement of the 1996 management measures 
and is intended to ensure conservation of chinook salmon.

DATES: Effective 1700 hours local time, June 5, 1996, through 2400 
hours local time, June 30, 1996. Comments will be accepted through July 
5, 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 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: 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, the Secretary 
of Commerce will, under 50 CFR 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 (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 continue through June 30 or attainment of the 5,300 
chinook salmon quota, whichever occurred first.
    The best available information on June 3 indicated that commercial 
catches in this area totaled about 4,300 chinook salmon through June 2. 
Based on the recent catch and effort levels, NMFS determined to close 
the commercial fishery at 1200 hours, June 4. The U.S. Coast Guard 
Notice to Mariners was not broadcast, however, until Wednesday 
afternoon, June 5. Therefore, the Federal closure was not effective 
until 1700 hours, June 5. The season remains closed under the terms of 
the preseason announcement of the 1996 management measures.
    The Regional Director consulted with representatives of the Pacific 
Fishery Management Council and the Oregon Department of Fish and 
Wildlife regarding this closure. The State of Oregon closed its 
commercial fishery between Cape Arago and the Oregon-California border 
at 1200 hours on June 4. As provided by the inseason notice procedures 
of 50 CFR 661.23, actual notice to fishermen of this action was given 
prior to 1700 hours local time, June 5, 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 stop the fishery upon achievement of the 
quota, 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 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: June 17, 1996.
Richard W. Surdi,
Acting Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 96-15890 Filed 6-20-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F