[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 219 (Thursday, November 13, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 60788]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-29878]



[[Page 60788]]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 660

[Docket No. 970429101-7101-01; I.D. 103097A]


Fisheries Off West Coast States and in the Western Pacific; West 
Coast Salmon Fisheries; Inseason Adjustment From Sisters Rocks to Mack 
Arch, OR

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

ACTION: Inseason adjustment; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: NMFS announces that the commercial salmon fishery in the area 
from Sisters Rocks to Mack Arch, OR, opened for 7 days per week 
beginning August 13, 1997. This adjustment was intended to provide 
commercial fishermen with additional opportunity to harvest chinook 
salmon without exceeding the ocean share allocated to the commercial 
fishery in this area.

DATES: Effective 0001 hours local time, August 13, through 2400 hours 
local time, August 31, 1997. Comments will be accepted through November 
28, 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: In the annual management measures for ocean 
salmon fisheries (62 FR 24355, May 5, 1997), NMFS announced that the 
commercial fishery in the area from Sisters Rocks to Mack Arch, OR, 
would open August 1 and continue through the earlier of August 31 or 
attainment of the 3,000 chinook salmon quota. The season was scheduled 
to follow a cycle of 2 days open/2 days closed for the purpose of 
dampening catch rates and extending the fishing season.
    The best available information on August 11 indicated that a 
sufficient number of chinook salmon remained in the quota to rescind 
the catch dampening measure. Hence, effective 0001 hours local time, 
August 13, the commercial salmon fishery in this area opened 7 days per 
week. This fishery operated through August 31.
    Modification of fishing seasons is authorized by regulations at 50 
CFR 660.409(b)(1)(i). All other restrictions that applied to this 
fishery remained in effect as announced in the annual management 
measures.
    The Regional Administrator consulted with representatives of the 
Pacific Fishery Management Council and the Oregon Department of Fish 
and Wildlife regarding this adjustment. The State of Oregon managed 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 notice procedures of 50 CFR 660.411, actual 
notice to fishermen of this action was given prior to 0001 hours local 
time, August 13, 1997 by telephone hotline numbers (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 take advantage of the opportunity to harvest the available 
quota, NMFS has determined that good cause exists for this notice 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: November 6, 1997.
Gary C. Matlock,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-29878 Filed 11-12-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F