[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 113 (Thursday, June 12, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 32048]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-15361]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 660

[Docket No. 970429101-7101-01; I.D. 060397A]


Fisheries Off West Coast States and in the Western Pacific; West 
Coast Salmon Fisheries; 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.

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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 closed at 2400 
hours, May 28, 1997. The Regional Administrator, Northwest Region, NMFS 
(Regional Administrator), has determined that the commercial quota of 
5,300 chinook salmon has been reached. This action is necessary to 
conform to the 1997 management measures and is intended to ensure 
conservation of chinook salmon.

DATES: Effective 2400 hours local time, May 28, 1997, through 2400 
hours local time May 31, 1997, at which time the season remains closed 
under the terms of the 1997 management measures. Comments will be 
accepted through June 26, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be mailed to William Stelle, Jr., Regional 
Administrator, Northwest Region, NMFS, 7600 Sand Point Way NE., 
Seattle, WA 98115-0070. Information relevant to this action is 
available for public review during business hours at the office of the 
Regional Administrator, Northwest Region, NMFS.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: William Robinson, 206-526-6140.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Regulations governing the ocean salmon 
fisheries at 50 CFR 660.409(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 Administrator to be reached on or by a certain date, the 
Secretary will, by an inseason action issued under 50 CFR 660.411, 
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 1997 management measures for ocean salmon fisheries (62 FR 
24355, May 5, 1997), NMFS announced that the commercial fishery in the 
area between Cape Arago, OR, and the Oregon-California border would 
open on April 15 and continue through May 31 or attainment of the 5,300 
chinook salmon quota, whichever occurred first.
    The best available information on May 27 indicated that the chinook 
salmon quota had been reached based on catch and effort data and 
projections. To provide for an orderly shutdown of the commercial 
fishery in this area, closure was made effective at 2400 hours, May 28. 
The Regional Administrator consulted with representatives of the 
Pacific Fishery Management Council and the Oregon Department of Fish 
and Wildlife. 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 
notification procedures of 50 CFR 660.411, actual notice to fishermen 
of this action was given prior to 2400 hours local time, May 28, 1997, 
by telephone hotline number 206-526-6667 and 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 660.409 and 660.411 and is 
exempt from review under E.O. 12866.

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

    Dated: June 6, 1997.
Rebecca Lent,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 97-15361 Filed 6-11-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F