[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]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F