[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 69 (Friday, April 10, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 17736-17737]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-9564]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 660

[Docket No. 970429101-7101-01; I.D.032798B]


Fisheries Off West Coast States and in the Western Pacific; West 
Coast Salmon Fisheries; Inseason Adjustments, Cape Falcon, OR, to Point 
Mugu, CA

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

ACTION: Inseason adjustments; request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: NMFS announces the April 15, 1998, opening of commercial 
seasons for all salmon except coho in the area from Cape Falcon, OR 
(45 deg.46'00'' N. lat.), to the Oregon-California border 
(42 deg.00'00'' N. lat.) anda recreational season for all salmon except 
coho in the area from Cape Falcon to Humbug Mountain, OR 
(42 deg.40'30'' N. lat.). The commercial fishery between Point Lopez 
(36 deg.01'15'' N. lat.) and Point Mugu, CA (34 deg.05'12'' N. lat.), 
scheduled to open April 15, 1998, will not open. These adjustments are 
in accordance with the 1997 annual management measures.

DATES: Season openings effective 0001 hours local time, April 15, 1998, 
through 2359 hours local time, April 30, 1998, in the area from Cape 
Falcon 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. Closure effective 0001 hours local time, April 
15, 1998, in the area from Point Lopez to Point Mugu, CA, for the 
commercial fishery. Comments will be accepted through April 24, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Comments may be mailed to William Stelle, Jr., Regional 
Administrator, Northwest Region, NMFS, 7600 Sand Point Way NE.,Bldg. 1, 
Seattle, WA 98115-0070; or William T. Hogarth, Regional Administrator, 
Southwest Region, NMFS, 501 West Ocean Boulevard, Suite 4200, Long 
Beach, CA 90802-4213. 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 or 
Daniel Viele, 562-980-4039.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In the 1997 annual management measures for 
ocean salmon fisheries (62 FR 24355, May 5, 1997), inseason management 
guidance was provided to NMFS such that the Pacific Fishery Management 
Council (Council) would consider at the March 1998 meeting a 
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 in which the major 98 salmon 
seasons are developed, such action would be necessary to implement the 
opening of these seasons prior to May 1, 1998.
    At its March 10 to 13, 1998, meeting, the Council recommended the 
April 15 opening of commercial seasons in the area from Cape Falcon, 
OR, to the Oregon-California border, and a recreational season in the 
area from Cape Falcon to Humbug Mountain, OR. The following season 
descriptions were

[[Page 17737]]

recommended by the Council. Minimum size limits, special requirements, 
restrictions, and exceptions are as stated in Tables 1 and 2 of the 
1997 annual management measures.

Commercial season, Cape Falcon to Cape Arago, OR (43 deg.18'20'' N. 
lat.)

    April 15 through April 30. All salmon except coho. No more than 
four spreads per line.

Commercial season, Cape Arago, OR, to Oregon-California Border

    April 15 through (the earlier of either) April 30 or the reaching 
of a 4,400 chinook quota. All salmon except coho. No more than four 
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 six fish in 7 consecutive days. At its March 10 to 
13, 1998, meeting, the Council also recommended elimination of the 
April commercial fishery between Point Lopez and Point Mugu, CA. This 
test fishery, part of the 1997 annual management measures approved by 
NMFS, was scheduled to open April 15, 1998, and to continue through 
(the earlier of either) April 28 or attainment of a 10,000 chinook 
quota. The recommendation was based on concern for the apparent high 
concentration of endangered Sacramento River winter chinook salmon 
observed in the April 1997 commercial test fishery in the same area.
    The Regional Administrator consulted with representatives of the 
Pacific Fishery Management Council, the Oregon Department of Fish and 
Wildlife, and the California Department of Fish and Game regarding 
these adjustments. The states of Oregon and California will manage 
commercial and recreational fisheries in state waters adjacent to these 
areas of the exclusive economic zone in accordance with this Federal 
action. As provided by the inseason notice procedures at 50 CFR 
660.411, actual notice to fishermen of this action was given prior to 
0001 hours local time, April 15, 1998, 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 6, 1998.
Bruce C. Morehead,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 98-9564 Filed 4-9-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F