[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 66 (Wednesday, April 5, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 17807-17808]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-8385]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 660

[Docket No. 990430113-913-01; I.D. 032700C]


Fisheries off West Coast States and in the Western Pacific; West 
Coast Salmon Fisheries; Inseason Adjustments From Cape Falcon to Humbug 
Mountain, OR

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

ACTION: Inseason adjustments; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: NMFS announces that the commercial and recreational fisheries 
for all salmon except coho, in the areas from Cape Falcon to Humbug 
Mountain, OR, will open April 1, 2000, and continue through dates to be 
determined in the 2000 management measures for 2000 ocean salmon 
fisheries in the U.S. exclusive economic zone (EEZ). This action is 
necessary to conform to the 1999 announcement of management measures 
for year 2000 salmon seasons opening earlier than May 1, 2000, and is 
intended to ensure conservation of chinook salmon.

DATES: Effective April 1, 2000, until the effective date of the year 
2000 management measures, which will be published in the Federal 
Register for the west coast salmon fisheries. Comments will be accepted 
through April 20, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Comments on this action must be mailed to William Stelle, 
Jr., Regional Administrator, Northwest Region, NMFS, NOAA, 7600 Sand 
Point Way NE., Bldg. 1, Seattle, WA 98115-0070; or faxed to 206-526-
6376; or Rodney McInnis, Acting Regional Administrator, Southwest 
Region, NMFS, NOAA, 501 W. Ocean Blvd., Suite 4200, Long Beach, CA 
90802-4132; or faxed to 562-980-4018. Comments will not be accepted if 
submitted via e-mail or the Internet. 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 Robinson, 206-526-6140, or 
Svein Fougner, 562-980-4030.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In the 1999 annual management measures for 
ocean salmon fisheries (64 FR 24078,

[[Page 17808]]

May 5, 1999), NMFS announced that the Pacific Fishery Management 
Council (Council) would consider at its March 2000 meeting a 
recommendation to open commercial and recreational seasons for all 
salmon except coho in areas off Oregon. Due to the timing of the March 
and April Council meetings, where the major 2000 salmon seasons are 
developed, this action is necessary to implement the opening of these 
seasons prior to May 1, 2000. In the 1999 management measures for 2000 
ocean salmon fisheries, NMFS announced that the recreational fishery 
would not open until May 1, 2000, between Cape Falcon and Humbug 
Mountain, OR, for all salmon except coho, unless opened following an 
inseason recommendation of the Council at the March 2000 meeting. In 
addition, the Council may also consider inseason modifications to open 
or modify commercial fisheries off Oregon for all salmon except coho, 
prior to May 1, 2000.
    At the March 2000 meeting, the Council made its inseason 
recommendations to open the recreational and commercial fisheries, for 
all salmon except coho, from Cape Falcon to Humbug Mountain, OR, on 
April 1, 2000. The closing dates for both fisheries will be determined 
at the April 2000 meeting when the entire 2000 management measures for 
the 2000 ocean salmon fisheries are finalized.
    The recreational fishery for all salmon except coho, from Cape 
Falcon to Humbug Mountain, OR, opens on April 1, 2000. The daily 
possession limit is two fish per day, with no more than six fish 
retained in 7 consecutive days. The minimum size limit is 20 inches 
(50.8 cm). Allowed gear is artificial lures and plugs of any size, or 
bait no less than 6 inches (15.2 cm) long (excluding hooks and 
swivels). All gear must have no more than two single-point, single-
shank, barbless hooks. Divers are prohibited and flashers may only be 
used with downriggers. Oregon State regulations describe a closure at 
the mouth of Tillamook Bay.
    The commercial fishery for all salmon except coho, from Cape Falcon 
to Humbug Mountain, OR, opens on April 1, 2000. No more than four 
spreads are allowed per line. The minimum size limit is 26 inches (66.0 
cm) (19.5 in (49.5 cm) head-off). Chinook not less than 26 inches (66.0 
cm) (19.5 inches (49.5 cm) head-off) taken during open seasons south of 
Cape Falcon may be landed north of Cape Falcon only while the season is 
closed north of Cape Falcon. Oregon state regulations describe a 
closure at the mouth of Tillamook Bay.
    The Regional Administrator consulted with representatives of the 
Council, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Oregon Department 
of Fish and Wildlife, and the California Department Fish and Game 
regarding these adjustments. As provided by the inseason notification 
procedures at 50 CFR 660.411, actual notice to fishermen of these 
actions will be given prior to 0001 hours local time, April 1, 2000, 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: March 31, 2000.
Bruce C. Morehead,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 00-8385 Filed 3-31-00; 3:40 pm]
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