[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 126 (Friday, June 29, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 34582-34583]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-16467]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 660

[Docket No. 000501119-0119-01; I.D. 061201B]


Fisheries Off West Coast States and in the Western Pacific; West 
Coast Salmon Fisheries; Closure of the Commercial Fishery from Horse 
Mountain to Point Arena, CA

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

ACTION: Closure; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: NMFS announces that the commercial fishery for all salmon 
(except coho) in the area from Horse Mountain to Point Arena, CA, was 
closed on May 21, 2001, at 2359 hours local time (l.t.). The Northwest 
Regional Administrator of NMFS (Regional Administrator) determined that 
the quota of 3,000 chinook salmon had been reached. This action is 
necessary to conform to the 2001 management measures.

DATES: Closure effective 2359 hours l.t., May 21, 2001. Comments will 
be accepted through July 16, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Comments on this action may 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,

[[Page 34583]]

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: Christopher Wright, 206-526-6140, 
Northwest Region, NMFS, NOAA; or Dan Viele, 562-980-4030 Southwest 
Region, NMFS, NOAA.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Regulations governing the ocean salmon 
fisheries at 50 CFR 660.409 (a)(1) state that, when a quota 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, NMFS will, by notification issued under 50 CFR 660.411 
(a)(2), close the fishery 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 2001 management measures for ocean salmon fisheries (66 FR 
23185, May 8, 2001), NMFS announced that the commercial fishery for all 
salmon (except coho) in the area from Horse Mountain to Point Arena, 
CA, would open on May 1 through earlier of May 31 or a 3,000-chinook 
quota.
    The Regional Administrator consulted with representatives of the 
Pacific Fishery Management Council and the California Department of 
Fish and Game. The best available information on May 21, 2001, 
indicated that the catch and effort data, as well as projections, 
supported closure of the commercial fishery in this area at 2359 hours 
l.t., May 21, 2001. The State of California will manage the 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 these 
actions was given prior to 2359 hours l.t on May 21, 2001, 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 close the fishery upon 
achievement of the quota, 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: June 26, 2001.
Bruce C. Morehead,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 01-16467 Filed 6-28-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S