[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 79 (Thursday, April 24, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 19937-19938]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-10592]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 660
[Docket No. 960429120-6120-01; I.D. 040897A]
Fisheries off West Coast States and in the Western Pacific; Ocean
Salmon Fisheries Off the Coasts of Washington, Oregon, and California;
Inseason Adjustments, Cape Falcon, OR, to the Oregon-California Border
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Inseason adjustments; request for comment.
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SUMMARY: NMFS announces the April 15, 1997, opening of: Commercial
seasons for all salmon except coho in the area from Cape Falcon, OR, to
the Oregon-California border; and recreational seasons for all salmon
except coho in the area from Cape Falcon, OR to Humbug Mountain, OR.
These adjustments are in accordance with the 1996 annual management
measures.
DATES: Effective 0001 hours local time, April 15, 1997, through 2359
hours local time, April 30, 1997, in the area from Cape Falcon, OR to
the Oregon-California border for the commercial fishery and in the area
from Cape Falcon, OR to Humbug Mountain, OR, for the recreational
fishery. Comments will be accepted through May 8, 1997.
ADDRESSES: Comments may be mailed to William Stelle, Jr., Regional
Administrator, Northwest Region, National Marine Fisheries Service,
NOAA, 7600 Sand Point Way NE., Bldg. 1, Seattle, WA 98115-0070.
Information relevant to this document is available for public review
during business hours at the office of the Regional Administrator,
Northwest Region, NMFS.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: William L. Robinson, 206-526-6140.
[[Page 19938]]
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In the 1996 annual management measures for
ocean salmon fisheries (61 FR 20175, May 6, 1996), inseason management
guidance was provided to NMFS such that at the March 1997 meeting the
Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) would consider an inseason
recommendation to open commercial and recreational seasons for all
salmon except coho on April 15 in areas off Oregon. Due to the timing
of the March and April Council meetings where the major 1997 salmon
seasons are developed, such action would be necessary to implement the
opening of these seasons prior to May 1, 1997.
At its March 4-7, 1997, meeting in Portland, OR, the Council
recommended the April 15 opening of commercial seasons in the area from
Cape Falcon, OR, to the Oregon-California border, and recreational
seasons in the area from Cape Falcon to Humbug Mountain, OR. The
following season descriptions were recommended by the Council. Minimum
size limits, special requirements, restrictions, and exceptions are as
stated in Tables 1 and 2 of the 1996 annual management measures.
Continuation of these seasons may be provided by the 1997 annual
management measures to be implemented on May 1, 1997.
Commercial Season, Cape Falcon to Cape Arago, and Cape Arago to
Oregon-California Border
April 15 through April 30. All salmon except coho. No more than 4
spreads per line.
Recreational Season, Cape Falcon to Humbug Mountain
April 15 through April 30. All salmon except coho. Two fish per
day. No more than 6 fish in 7 consecutive days. Legal gear limited to:
Artificial lures, plugs or bait no less than 6 inches (15.2 cm) long
(excluding hooks and swivels) with no more than 2 single point, single
shank barbless hooks; flashers and divers prohibited.
The Regional Administrator consulted with representatives of the
Pacific Fishery Management Council and the Oregon Department of Fish
and Wildlife regarding these adjustments. The State of Oregon will
manage commercial and recreational fisheries 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
660.411, actual notice to fishermen of this action was given prior to
0001 hours local time, April 15, 1997, 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, NMFS has determined that good cause exists for this
document to be issued without affording a prior opportunity for public
comment. This document 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: April 18, 1997.
Bruce Morehead,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 97-10592 Filed 4-23-97; 8:45 am]
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