[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 64 (Tuesday, April 3, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 17639-17640]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-8164]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 660

[Docket No. 000501119-0119-01; I.D. 031501B]


Fisheries Off West Coast States and in the Western Pacific; West 
Coast Salmon Fisheries; Inseason Adjustments From Cape Falcon, OR 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, OR to Humbug 
Mountain, OR will open April 1, 2001, and continue through dates to be 
determined in the 2001 management measures for 2001 ocean salmon 
fisheries in the U.S. exclusive economic zone (EEZ). This action is 
necessary to conform to the 2000 announcement of management measures 
for year 2001 salmon seasons opening earlier than May 1, 2001, and is 
intended to ensure access to the year 2001 chinook salmon optimum 
yield.

DATES: Effective April 1, 2001, until the effective date of the year 
2001 management measures, which will be published in the Federal 
Register for the West Coast salmon fisheries. Comments will be accepted 
through April 18, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Comments on this action must be mailed to Donna Darm, Acting 
Regional Administrator, Northwest Region, NMFS, NOAA, 7600 Sand Point 
Way N.E., Bldg. 1, Seattle, WA 98115-0070; fax 206-526-6376; or Rebecca 
Lent, Regional Administrator, Southwest Region, NMFS, NOAA, 501 W. 
Ocean Blvd., Suite 4200, Long Beach, CA 90802-4132; fax 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 2000 annual management measures for 
ocean salmon fisheries (65 FR 26138, May 5, 2000), NMFS announced that 
the Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) would consider at its 
March 2001 meeting a recommendation to open commercial and recreational 
seasons for all salmon except coho in areas of the EEZ off Oregon. Due 
to the timing of the March and April Council meetings, where the major 
2001 salmon seasons are developed, this action is necessary to 
implement the opening of these seasons prior to May 1, 2001.
    At the March 2001 meeting, the Council made its inseason 
recommendations to open the recreational and commercial fisheries, for 
all salmon except coho, from Cape Falcon, OR to Humbug Mountain, OR on 
April 1, 2001. The closing dates for both fisheries will be recommended 
during the April 2001 meeting when the entire 2000 management measures 
for the 2001 ocean salmon fisheries are adopted by the Council.
    The recreational fishery for all salmon except coho, from Cape 
Falcon, OR to Humbug Mountain, OR opens on April 1, 2001. 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, OR to Humbug Mountain, OR opens on April 1, 2001. Single point, 
single shank barbless hooks are required. 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

[[Page 17640]]

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 of Fish and Game 
regarding these adjustments at the March 2001 Council meeting in 
Portland, OR. 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, 2001, 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 to open the seasons as 
proposed, 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 Executive Order 12866.

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

    Dated: March 27, 2001.
Bruce C. Morehead,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 01-8164 Filed 4-2-01; 8:45 am]
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