[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 181 (Tuesday, September 17, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 48852-48853]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-23772]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
50 CFR Part 660
[Docket No. 960126016-6121-04; I.D. 090696C]

Fisheries Off West Coast States and in the Western Pacific; West 
Coast Salmon Fisheries; Inseason Adjustments from the U.S.-Canadian 
Border to the Queets River, WA
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Inseason adjustments.

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SUMMARY: NMFS announces the transfer of 300 coho salmon from the 
recreational fishery in the subarea between Cape Alava and the Queets 
River, WA, to the recreational fishery in the subarea between the U.S.-
Canadian

[[Page 48853]]

border and Cape Alava, WA. The Director, Northwest Region, NMFS 
(Regional Director), has determined that the recreational quotas should 
be revised to 1,400 coho salmon and 6,700 coho salmon for the 
respective subareas. This action is intended to help meet the 
recreational season duration objectives for each subarea.

DATES: Effective September 16, 1996, through 2400 hours local time, 
September 26, 1996. Comments will be accepted through October 1, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be mailed to William Stelle, Jr., Director, 
Northwest Region, NMFS, 7600 Sand Point Way NE., 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 Northwest Regional Office.

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 coho 
salmon may be transferred among recreational subareas north of Cape 
Falcon, OR, to help meet the recreational season duration objectives 
for each subarea. Any transfers between subarea quotas of 5,000 fish or 
less shall be done on a fish-for-fish basis.
    By inseason management action (61 FR 40157, August 1, 1996), NMFS 
announced that the contingency seasons north of Cape Falcon, OR, would 
open as stated in the annual management measures. The 1996 recreational 
fishery in the subareas between the U.S.-Canadian border and Cape 
Alava, WA, and between Cape Alava and the Queets River, WA, opened on 
August 5. Each fishery was scheduled to continue through September 26 
or attainment of their respective quotas of 6,400 and 1,700 coho salmon 
(revised at 61 FR 43472, August 23, 1996), whichever occurred first.
    The fishery between the U.S.-Canadian border and Cape Alava closed 
on August 31 upon the projected attainment of its quota, published 
elsewhere in this issue. The best available information on September 3 
indicated that 6,692 coho salmon were caught in this fishery, so the 
quota was exceeded by 292 coho salmon. After conferring with 
representatives of the affected ports, NMFS agreed to transfer 300 coho 
salmon to this fishery from the recreational fishery between Cape Alava 
and the Queets River to cover the quota overage. Therefore, the quota 
for the subarea between the U.S.-Canadian border and Cape Alava is 
increased to 6,700 coho salmon, and the quota for the subarea between 
Cape Alava and the Queets River is decreased to 1,400 coho salmon. Even 
with the smaller quota, the fishery between Cape Alava and the Queets 
River is expected to continue for the duration of its scheduled season.
    Modification of quotas is authorized by regulations at 50 CFR 
660.409(b)(1)(i). All other restrictions that apply to these fisheries 
remain in effect as announced in the annual management measures.
    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 this 
adjustment. The State of Washington will manage the recreational 
fisheries in state waters adjacent to these areas of the exclusive 
economic zone in accordance with this Federal action. Because of the 
need for immediate action to manage the fisheries under the revised 
quotas, 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 660.409 and 660.411 and is 
exempt from review under E.O. 12866.

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

    Dated: September 11, 1996.
Richard W. Surdi,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 96-23772 Filed 9-16-96; 8:45 am]
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