[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 86 (Thursday, May 4, 2006)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 26254-26266]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-4179]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 660

[Docket No. 060427113-6113-01; I.D. 042406A]
RIN 0648-AT34


Fisheries Off West Coast States; West Coast Salmon Fisheries; 
2006 Management Measures and a Temporary Rule

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

ACTION: Final rule; and a temporary rule for emergency action; request 
for comments.

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SUMMARY: NMFS establishes fishery management measures for the 2006 
ocean salmon fisheries off Washington, Oregon, and California and the 
2007 salmon seasons opening earlier than May 1, 2007. The temporary 
rule for emergency action, under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery 
Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act), implements the 
2006 annual management measures for the west coast ocean salmon 
fisheries for the area from Cape Falcon, OR, to Point Sur, CA, from May 
1 to August 31, 2006. The emergency rule is required because Klamath 
River fall Chinook (KRFC) are projected to not meet their conservation 
objective, or escapement floor, of 35,000 adult natural spawners 
established in the Pacific Coast Salmon Fishery Management Plan (Salmon 
FMP). Specific fishery management measures vary by fishery and by area. 
The measures establish fishing areas, seasons, quotas, legal gear, 
recreational fishing days and catch limits, possession and landing 
restrictions, and minimum lengths for salmon taken in the U.S. 
exclusive economic zone (EEZ) (3-200 nm) off Washington, Oregon, and 
California. The management measures are intended to prevent overfishing 
and to apportion the ocean harvest equitably among treaty Indian, non-
treaty commercial, and recreational fisheries. The measures are also 
intended to allow a portion of the salmon runs to escape the ocean 
fisheries in order to provide for spawning escapement and to provide 
for inside fisheries (fisheries occurring in state internal waters).

DATES: Amendments to 50 CFR 660.410(a), (b)(1), (b)(4), and (d) are 
effective from 0001 hours Pacific daylight time, May 1, 2006, through 
2359 hours Pacific daylight time, August 31, 2006. The remaining 
uncodified management measures, including the measures that apply from 
Cape Falcon to Pt. Sur beginning September 1, 2006, are effective from 
0001 hours Pacific Daylight Time, May 1, 2006, until the effective date 
of the 2007 management measures, as published in the Federal Register.
    Comments must be received by May 19, 2006.

ADDRESSES: Comments on the management measures and the related 
environmental assessment (EA) may be sent to D. Robert Lohn, Regional 
Administrator, Northwest Region, NMFS, 7600 Sand Point Way N.E., 
Seattle, WA 98115-0070, fax: 206-526-6376; or to Rod McInnis, Regional 
Administrator, Southwest Region, NMFS, 501 West Ocean Boulevard, Suite 
4200, Long Beach, CA 90802-4213, fax: 562-980-4018. Comments can also 
be submitted via e-mail at the [email protected] 
address, or through the Internet at the Federal eRulemaking Portal: 
http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting 
comments, and include ``RIN 0648-AT34'' in the subject line of the 
message.
    Copies of the FONSI and its supporting EA and other documents cited 
in this document are available from Dr. Donald O. McIsaac, Executive 
Director, Pacific Fishery Management Council, 7700 NE. Ambassador 
Place, Suite 200, Portland, OR 97220-1384, and are posted on its Web 
site http://www.pcouncil.org.
    Send comments regarding the reporting burden estimate or any other 
aspect of the collection-of-information requirements in these 
management measures, including suggestions for reducing the burden, to 
one of the NMFS addresses listed above and to David Rostker, Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB), by e-mail at [email protected], 
or by facsimile (fax) at (202) 395-7285

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Frank Lockhart at 206-526-6140, or 
Mark Helvey at 562-980-4040.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The ocean salmon fisheries in the EEZ off Washington, Oregon, and 
California are managed under a ``framework'' fishery management plan 
entitled the Salmon FMP. Regulations at 50 CFR part 660, subpart H, 
provide the mechanism for making preseason and inseason adjustments to 
the management measures, within limits set by the Salmon FMP, by 
notification in the Federal Register.
    These management measures for the 2006 and pre-May 2007 ocean 
salmon fisheries were recommended by the Pacific Fishery Management 
Council (Council) at its April 3 to 7, 2006, meeting.

Schedule Used To Establish 2006 Management Measures

    The Council announced its annual preseason management process for 
the 2006 ocean salmon fisheries in the Federal Register on December 28, 
2005 (70 FR 76783). This notice announced the availability of Council 
documents as well as the dates and locations of Council meetings and 
public hearings comprising the Council's complete schedule of events 
for determining the annual proposed and final modifications to ocean 
salmon fishery management measures. The agendas for

[[Page 26255]]

the March and April Council meetings were published in subsequent 
Federal Register documents prior to the actual meetings.
    In accordance with the Salmon FMP, the Council's Salmon Technical 
Team (STT) and staff economist prepared a series of reports for the 
Council, its advisors, and the public. The first of the reports was 
prepared in February when the scientific information first necessary 
for crafting management measures for the 2006 and pre-May 2007 ocean 
salmon fishery became available. The first report, ``Review of 2005 
Ocean Salmon Fisheries'' (REVIEW), summarizes biological and socio-
economic data for the 2005 ocean salmon fisheries and assesses how well 
the Council's 2005 management objectives were met. The second report, 
``Preseason Report I Stock Abundance Analysis for 2006 Ocean Salmon 
Fisheries'' (PRE I), provides the 2006 salmon stock abundance 
projections and analyzes the impacts on the stocks and Council 
management goals if the 2005 regulations and regulatory procedures were 
applied to the projected 2006 stock abundances. The completion of PRE I 
is the initial step in evaluating the full suite of preseason options.
    The Council met in Seattle, WA, from March 6 to 10, 2006, to 
develop 2006 management options. The Council proposed three options of 
commercial and recreational fisheries management for analysis and 
public comment. These options consisted of various combinations of 
management measures designed to protect weak stocks of coho and Chinook 
salmon and to provide for ocean harvests of more abundant stocks. After 
the March Council meeting, the Council's STT and staff economist 
prepared a third report, ``Preseason Report II Analysis of Proposed 
Regulatory Options for 2006 Ocean Salmon Fisheries,'' which analyzes 
the effects of the proposed 2006 management options. This report was 
made available to the Council, its advisors, and the public.
    Public hearings, sponsored by the Council, to receive testimony on 
the proposed options were held on: March 27, 2006, in Westport, WA, and 
Coos Bay, OR; and March 28, 2006, in Santa Rosa, CA. The States of 
Washington, Oregon, and California sponsored meetings in various forums 
that also collected public testimony, which was then presented to the 
Council by each state's Council representative. The Council also 
received public testimony at both the March and April meetings and 
received written comments at the Council office.
    The Council met from April 3 to 7, 2006, in Sacramento, CA, to take 
additional public comment and to adopt its final 2006 recommendations. 
Following the April Council meeting, the Council's STT and staff 
economist prepared a fourth report, ``Preseason Report III Analysis of 
Council-Adopted Management Measures for 2006 Ocean Salmon Fisheries,'' 
which analyzes the environmental and socio-economic effects of the 
Council's final recommendations. This report was also made available to 
the Council, its advisors, and the public. After the Council took final 
action on the annual ocean salmon specifications in April, it published 
the recommended management measures in its newsletter and also posted 
them on the Council Web site www.pcouncil.org.

Resource Status

    Since 1989, NMFS has listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) 
27 evolutionarily significant units (ESUs) of salmonids on the west 
coast. As the listings have occurred, NMFS has conducted formal ESA 
section 7 consultations and issued biological opinions, and made 
determinations under section 4(d) of the ESA, that consider the impacts 
to listed salmonid species resulting from proposed implementation of 
the Salmon FMP, or in some cases, from proposed implementation of the 
annual management measures. Associated with the biological opinions are 
incidental take statements which specify the level of take that is 
expected. Some of the biological opinions have concluded that 
implementation of the Salmon FMP is not likely to jeopardize the 
continued existence of certain listed ESUs and provided incidental take 
statements. Other biological opinions have found the Salmon FMP is 
likely to jeopardize certain listed ESUs and have identified reasonable 
and prudent alternatives (RPA) or consultation standards that would 
avoid the likelihood of jeopardizing the continued existence of the ESU 
under consideration, and provided an incidental take statement for the 
reasonable and prudent alternative. In a March 6, 2006, letter to the 
Council, NMFS provided the Council with ESA consultation standards and 
guidance for the management of stocks listed under the ESA in 
preparation for the 2006 management season in order to ensure that the 
Council recommendations comply with the ESA.
    Estimates of the 2006 spawning escapements for key stocks managed 
under the Salmon FMP and preseason estimates of 2006 ocean abundance 
are provided in the Council's REVIEW and PRE I documents. The primary 
resource and management concerns are for salmon stocks listed under the 
ESA. However, this year KRFC are also a concern as explained below.
    Lower Columbia River (LCR) coho were listed as threatened under the 
ESA on June 28, 2005 (70 FR 37160). As a result, this is the first year 
that LCR coho have been the subject of a section 7 consultation during 
the Council's preseason planning process. As a consequence of this 
consultation, the Council and associated state agencies made 
substantial changes in past management practice. Previously, ocean 
harvest impacts to LCR coho were estimated using Oregon Coast Natural 
(OCN) coho as a surrogate. In 2006, model procedures were changed to 
rely instead on LCR early- and late-timing hatchery stocks. In prior 
years, ocean fisheries were also managed using a harvest matrix that 
specified an allowable harvest rate depending on indicators of brood 
year escapement and survival. Given the circumstances in 2006, the 
harvest matrix would have allowed an OCN harvest rate of 15 percent and 
an in-river harvest rate of 7.5 percent. Because of uncertainties 
related to the status of LCR coho, and pending review and development 
of a more comprehensive long-term management strategy, NMFS guidance 
was to manage Council area fisheries and those in mainstem Columbia 
River subject to a total exploitation rate of 15 percent or less. As a 
consequence of this guidance, the 2006 ocean fisheries are expected to 
have an exploitation rate of 9.9 percent. This represents a 33 percent 
reduction in harvest impacts from what would have been allowed under 
the prior harvest matrix.
    These ESA related changes in assessment methods and harvest limits 
substantially reduced harvest opportunity in fisheries north of Cape 
Falcon, OR. The coho quota for the area north of Cape Falcon in 2006 is 
117,500 fish compared to a quota of 195,000 in 2005.
    NMFS also consulted previously on LCR Chinook. The indicator stock 
for the tule component of the LCR Chinook ESU is from the Coweeman 
River. NMFS guidance for the Coweeman tule fall Chinook is to limit the 
combined impact of all fisheries to a 49 percent brood year 
exploitation rate. As a consequence of a post season review by the 
NMFS' Northwest Fisheries Science Center in 2005, it became apparent 
that actual exploitation rates in recent years had been higher than 49 
percent, averaged on the order of 60 percent. In response, the 
Council's STT made

[[Page 26256]]

changes in the methods for modeling harvest to correct for the apparent 
bias in preseason estimates. These changes resulted in the need for 
conservative management and also placed new constraints on fisheries 
north of Cape Falcon. The expected exploitation rates associated with 
the fisheries in 2006 on Coweeman, and other fisheries where tule fall 
Chinook are caught, is 47.2 percent.
    An additional factor compounding the 2006 salmon management process 
was the unexpectedly high age-4 contact rates of KRFC in various 
fisheries along the Pacific Coast and the implications for conservation 
measures linked to threatened California Coastal Chinook (CCC). The 
2000 CCC biological opinion, as amended in 2002, established an RPA 
that requires the Pacific ocean salmon fisheries to be managed to a 
pre-season projected KRFC age-4 harvest rate of 16 percent or less. 
This KRFC age-4 harvest rate is used as a proxy for the protection of 
listed CCC. The Klamath Ocean Harvest Model (KOHM) substantially 
underestimated the age-4 ocean harvest rate for KRFC the last three 
years. In 2003, 2004, and 2005 the projected pre-season harvest rates 
were 16 percent, 15 percent, and 7.7 percent, respectively, but the 
actual post-season harvest rate estimates were 23 percent, 52 percent, 
and 23.9 percent.
    NMFS, Southwest Region (SWR), reinitiated consultation on the 2000 
CCC biological opinion in 2005 that included an analytical review of 
the KOHM by the Council's STT and a detailed description of the events 
and dynamics surrounding the 2003 and 2004 ocean salmon seasons. The 
consultation was completed on June 13, 2005. The 2005 consultation 
concluded that the jeopardy determination made in the 2000 opinion was 
still appropriate and placed additional requirements on NMFS to 
implement parts 1 and 2 of the RPA. The first requirement stipulated 
that if the KOHM were to substantially under-predict the age-4 harvest 
rate again in 2005, that NMFS, in cooperation with the Council and STT 
would modify the KOHM to more heavily weight data observed in recent 
years. Since the 2005 post-season estimate was approximately three 
times the pre-season projection, the STT modified the KOHM to more 
accurately represent recent trends in effort and contact rate per unit 
effort. These changes to the model provide a more conservative approach 
for age-4 KRFC harvest rate estimation. The second requirement was to 
initiate a study to determine the feasibility of characterizing the 
ocean catch and distribution of CCC relative to other stocks using 
Genetic Stock Identification techniques. Work on the feasibility study 
is underway and the SWR is engaged in planning for implementation of 
the study in cooperation with NMFS' Southwest Fisheries Science Center 
and other relevant state and Federal agencies. These two actions 
fulfill the requirements of the 2005 consultation. Because of 
constraints explained below related to KRFC, the projected age-4 
harvest rate for KRFC is estimated to be 11.5 percent, which is below 
the 16 percent pre-season age-4 harvest rate target. Considering this 
projection was made with a more conservative KOHM than was used in the 
past and additional restrictions on the commercial salmon fishery 
(e.g., a limit of 75 Chinook or fewer per week per vessel) are being 
implemented, the fishery is being managed in compliance with the 
requirements of the biological opinion. Therefore, the 2000 CCC 
biological opinion (and the ITS) still provides the necessary ESA take 
exemption for the 2006 ocean salmon fisheries.
    Snake River fall Chinook are listed under the ESA as a threatened 
species. Direct information on the stock's ocean distribution and on 
fishery impacts is not available. Fishery impacts on Snake River fall 
Chinook are evaluated using the Lyons Ferry Hatchery stock as an 
indicator. The Lyons Ferry stock is widely distributed and harvested by 
ocean fisheries from southern California to Alaska. NMFS' ESA 
consultation standard requires that Council fisheries be managed to 
ensure that the Adult Equivalent (AEQ) exploitation rate on age-3 and 
age-4 adults for the combined Southeast Alaska, Canadian, and Council 
fisheries is not greater than 70 percent of that observed during the 
1988-1993 base period. The 2006 fisheries, combined with expected 
impacts in Southeast Alaska and Canada fisheries, have an estimated age 
\3/4\ AEQ exploitation rate that is 64.1 percent of that observed 
during the 1988-1993 base period. Meeting the Snake River fall Chinook 
age \3/4\ AEQ exploitation rate was not a primary constraint on 
fisheries north of Cape Falcon.
    This is the seventh year that NMFS provided guidance to the Council 
related to the Puget Sound Chinook ESU. NMFS' guidance for Puget Sound 
Chinook stocks is expressed in terms of total or southern U.S. fishery 
exploitation rate ceilings, or terminal escapement objectives. Under 
the current management structure, Council fisheries are included as 
part of the suite of fisheries that comprise the fishing regime 
negotiated each year by the co-managers under U.S. v. Washington, Civ. 
N. 70-9213 (W.D. Wash.) to meet management objectives for Puget Sound 
and Washington Coastal salmon stocks. Because these management 
objectives and the management planning structure address fisheries 
wherever they occur, Council and Puget Sound fisheries are 
interconnected. Therefore, in adopting its regulations, the Council 
recommends fisheries in the ocean that when combined with Puget Sound 
fisheries meet conservation objectives under Limit 6 of the 4(d) Rule. 
NMFS estimated that the exploitation rates from Council-managed 
fisheries on Puget Sound Chinook populations will range from zero to 
seven percent. Management actions taken to meet exploitation rate and 
escapement targets will, therefore, occur primarily in the Puget Sound 
fisheries, but the nature of the existing process is such that ocean 
fishery impacts must be accounted for as part of meeting comprehensive 
harvest management objectives.
    In March 2005, NMFS approved fishing activities conducted in 
accordance with the harvest component of the Comprehensive Management 
Plan for Puget Sound Chinook, a Resource Management Plan (RMP) 
submitted by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and the 
Puget Sound Treaty tribes under Limit 6 of the ESA 4(d) rule. The terms 
of the RMP have also been incorporated into the Draft Puget Sound 
Salmon Recovery Plan currently out for public review and comment. The 
take limit for fisheries implemented under the terms of the RMP apply 
to the 2005-2009 fishing years (May 1, 2005 through April 30, 2010). 
The RMP management approach consists of a two tiered harvest regime 
(normal and minimum), depending on stock status. The harvest objectives 
in the RMP are a mixture of total and southern U.S. exploitation rates 
(termed in the RMP--Rebuilding Exploitation Rates or RERs) and 
escapement goals. Under conditions of normal abundance, the RERs and 
escapement goals apply. However, when a particular management unit is 
(1) not expected to meet its low abundance threshold, or, (2) if the 
total exploitation rate is projected to exceed its RER under a proposed 
set of fisheries, the co-managers will constrain their fisheries such 
that either the RER is not exceeded, or the Critical Exploitation Rate 
Ceiling is not exceeded. The Council's proposed fisheries, in addition 
to anticipated inside fisheries, are consistent with the consultation 
standards for all of the Puget Sound indicator stocks.
    Sacramento River winter Chinook are listed as endangered under the 
ESA.

[[Page 26257]]

The Council's recommended management measures meet NMFS's requirements 
for the stock established through the ESA section 7 consultation 
process.
    Southern resident killer whales were recently listed as endangered 
under the ESA effective February 16, 2006. NMFS has initiated a Section 
7 consultation regarding the effects of Council salmon fisheries on 
southern resident killer whales. NMFS expects to complete a ESA section 
7 consultation by June 2006. In the event that the review suggests that 
further constraints in the 2006 fisheries are necessary, appropriate 
corrections will be made by NMFS through inseason action.

Emergency Rule

    The Council's final recommendation for the ocean salmon fishery 
seasons that commence May 1st deviates from the Salmon FMP specifically 
in regard to meeting the conservation objective, or escapement floor, 
of 35,000 adult natural KRFC spawners. Under this circumstance, 
implementation of an Emergency Action under Magnuson-Stevens Act 
authority at section 305(c)(2)(B) is necessary to modify the 
conservation objective in the Salmon FMP in order to implement the 
Council's proposal. The Temporary Rule for Emergency Action applies to 
the area from Cape Falcon, OR, to Point Sur, CA. These regulations 
close a majority of the commercial fisheries and greatly reduce the 
recreational fisheries in this area off Oregon and California from May 
1 through August 31, 2006.
    The conservation objective for KRFC in the Salmon FMP requires a 
return of 33-34 percent of potential adult natural spawners, but no 
fewer than 35,000 naturally spawning adults, in any one year. The 
preseason forecast for KRFC for 2006 is close to the record low, 
although actual run sizes have been lower in several prior years. 
Preseason estimates indicate that, if the ocean fishery was closed from 
January through August 2006, between Cape Falcon, OR, and Point Sur, CA 
(near Monterey), and assuming the tribes catch their allocation of fish 
in the river, the expected number of natural area adult spawners would 
be 25,400. Under the Salmon FMP, a ``conservation alert'' is triggered 
when a stock is projected to fall below its conservation objective. 
Under such circumstances the Council is required to close salmon 
fisheries within Council jurisdiction that impact the stock. Over 99 
percent of KRFC are caught with other salmon stocks, including more 
abundant Central Valley fall-run Chinook, in commercial and 
recreational fisheries in the Klamath impact area from Cape Falcon to 
Point Sur. Because annual management measures must meet the Salmon FMP 
conservation objectives of all the key stocks, fishing seasons are 
usually limited by the necessity of meeting the requirements for the 
least abundant stock. The area that would be closed pursuant to the 
Salmon FMP would therefore include most of the Oregon coast and the 
northern half of California where KRFC are harvested at their highest 
rate. Given the circumstances, any fishing in the closed area would 
have to be approved by emergency rule to modify the Salmon FMP.
    The process for setting this year's management measures was very 
controversial given the proposed reductions in fishing opportunities 
and potential closures. At both the March and April meetings, and the 
coastwide public hearings, there was a significant increase in 
participation and comments from the various fishing sectors regarding 
the proposed 2006 management measures. The majority of the comments 
expressed great concern that elimination of the ocean fisheries that 
impact KRFC would cause severe economic hardship to coastal communities 
from central California to central Oregon. Fishermen in these ports 
would have to forgo the opportunity to harvest other, stronger stocks 
of Chinook to preserve relatively few KRFC. Those testifying also spoke 
at length regarding concerns for the demise of the infrastructure that 
supports the fishing industry and thus the long-term consequences of a 
fishery closure or severe cutback in 2006. The Council, in trying to 
address the conservation concerns for KRFC while mitigating the adverse 
economic and social consequences, voted 13-1 to approve their final 
proposal which allows limited ocean fisheries that impact KRFC.
    For NMFS, the key question in considering whether to approve the 
emergency rule was whether the proposed fisheries would jeopardize the 
capacity of the fishery to produce maximum sustained yield on a 
continuing basis. The NMFS Science Center report requested by NMFS 
focused on this question. The Council's Scientific and Statistical 
Committee provided comments and additional analysis to the Council on 
the Science Center report. The Council's STT also addressed questions 
related to the risks associated with low spawning escapement. The 
science advisory bodies all expressed concern about the risks related 
to the current circumstances, and contributing sources of uncertainty. 
However, although the advisors made the general point that reduced 
escapement increased the risk of depressing future production, they 
were unable to identify a particular point of elevated concern between 
Option III and an escapement level of approximately 20,000 natural 
spawners.
    During its deliberations NMFS considered several factors that 
helped mitigate the qualitative perception of risk. Among these was a 
risk analysis included in the Science Centers' report that considered 
the probability that a very low recruitment would result from various 
levels of escapement that may occur in 2006. The magnitude of the 
probabilities varied greatly depending on the assumptions. But the 
results indicated that there was relatively little change in risk for 
the range of escapements between the no fishing option with an 
associated expected escapement of 25,400, and the expected escapement 
of 21,100 associated with the proposed season. Based on this analysis 
and other factors considered NMFS concluded that the marginal decrease 
in escapement that will result from the Council's proposed fisheries 
does not jeopardize the capacity of the fishery to produce maximum 
sustained yield on a continuing basis. NMFS further concluded that the 
limited fisheries in the Klamath impact area proposed for 2006 address 
the conservation concerns for KRFC while mitigating, to the degree 
possible, the adverse effects to the fishing community. The vote of the 
Council, and comments by the state Council representatives, in 
particular, reflect their concurrence with NMFS's conclusion. The 
Temporary Rule for Emergency Action to implement the 2006 annual 
management measures for the west coast ocean salmon fisheries covers 
the area from Cape Falcon, Oregon, to Point Sur, California.

Management Measures for 2006 Fisheries

    The Council-recommended ocean harvest levels and management 
measures for 2006 fisheries are designed to apportion the burden of 
protecting the weak stocks identified and discussed in PRE I equitably 
among ocean fisheries and to allow maximum harvest of natural and 
hatchery runs surplus to inside fishery and spawning needs. NMFS finds 
the Council's recommendations responsive to the goals of the Salmon FMP 
as amended by the emergency modification to the KRFC escapement floor, 
the requirements of the resource, and the socio-economic factors 
affecting resource users. The recommendations are consistent with the 
requirements of the Magnuson-

[[Page 26258]]

Stevens Act, U.S. obligations to Indian tribes with Federally 
recognized fishing rights, and U.S. international obligations regarding 
Pacific salmon. Accordingly, NMFS has adopted them.
    North of Cape Falcon the 2006 management measures have a slightly 
lower Chinook quota and substantially lower coho quota relative to the 
2005 season. The total allowable catch for 2006 is 65,000 Chinook and 
80,000 marked hatchery coho; these fisheries are restricted to protect 
depressed Lower Columbia River wild coho, Lower Columbia River Chinook, 
Washington coastal coho, Puget Sound coho, OCN coho, Interior Fraser 
River coho, Puget Sound Chinook, and Snake River fall Chinook. 
Washington coastal and Puget Sound Chinook generally migrate to the far 
north and are not greatly affected by ocean harvests from Cape Falcon, 
OR, to the U.S.-Canada border. Nevertheless, ocean fisheries in 
combination with fisheries inside Puget Sound were restricted in order 
to meet ESA related conservation objectives for Puget Sound Chinook. 
North of Cape Alava, WA, the Council recommends a provision prohibiting 
retention of chum salmon during August and September to protect ESA 
listed Hood Canal summer chum. The Council has recommended such a 
prohibition for the last five years.
    South of Cape Falcon, OR, Chinook fisheries off Oregon and 
California were dramatically reduced or closed because of concerns 
regarding KRFC's weak status. The retention of coho is prohibited, 
except for a recreational selective fishery off Oregon with a 20,000-
fish quota of marked hatchery coho. This is the third year the 
selective fishery includes the southern coastal area off Oregon. The 
Council's recommendations are below the 15-percent exploitation rate 
permitted under Amendment 13 to protect OCN coho stocks, with an 
expected 9.6-percent OCN coho exploitation rate. The expected ocean 
exploitation rate for Rogue/Klamath coho is 5.2 percent, and is also 
below its exploitation rate limit of 13.0 percent.

Treaty Indian Fisheries for 2005

    The treaty-Indian commercial troll fishery quota is 42,200 Chinook 
in ocean management areas and Washington State Statistical Area 4B 
combined. This quota is slightly lower than the 48,000-Chinook quota in 
2005. The fisheries include a Chinook-directed fishery in May and June 
(under a quota of 22,700 Chinook) and an all-salmon season beginning in 
July with a 19,500 Chinook sub-quota. The coho quota for the treaty-
Indian troll fishery in ocean management areas, including Washington 
State Statistical Area 4B for the July-September period is 37,500 coho, 
a decrease from the 50,000-coho quota in 2005.

Management Measures for 2007 Fisheries

    The timing of the March and April Council meetings makes it 
impracticable for the Council to recommend fishing seasons that begin 
before May 1 of the same year. Therefore, the 2007 fishing seasons 
opening earlier than May 1 are also established in this action. The 
Council recommended, and NMFS concurs, that the recreational seasons 
off California from Horse Mountain to the U.S.-Mexico Border and off 
Oregon from Cape Falcon to Humbug Mountain, and the commercial troll 
seasons off California from Horse Mountain to Point Arena and off 
Oregon from Cape Falcon to the Oregon-California Border, will open in 
2007 as indicated in the Season Description section. At the March 2007 
meeting, the Council may consider inseason recommendations to adjust 
the commercial seasons that open prior to May 1.

Inseason Actions

    The following sections set out the management regime for the salmon 
fishery. Open seasons and days are described in Sections 1, 2, and 3 of 
the 2006 management measures. Inseason closures in the commercial and 
recreational fisheries are announced on the NMFS hotline and through 
the U.S. Coast Guard Notice to Mariners as described in Section 6. 
Other inseason adjustments to management measures are also announced on 
the hotline and through the Notice to Mariners. Inseason actions will 
also be published in the Federal Register as soon as practicable.
    The following are the management measures recommended by the 
Council and approved and implemented here for 2006 and, as specified, 
for 2007.

Section 1. Commercial Management Measures for 2006 Ocean Salmon 
Fisheries

    Note: This section contains restrictions in parts A, B, and C 
that must be followed for lawful participation in the fishery. Each 
fishing area identified in part A specifies the fishing area by 
geographic boundaries from north to south, the open seasons for the 
area, the salmon species allowed to be caught during the seasons, 
and any other special restrictions effective in the area. Part B 
specifies minimum size limits. Part C specifies special 
requirements, definitions, restrictions and exceptions.

A. Season Description

North of Cape Falcon, OR

U.S.-Canada Border to Cape Falcon
    May 1 through earlier of June 30 or a 22,450 Chinook quota. Open 
May 1-2 with a 75 Chinook per vessel landing and possession limit for 
the two-day open period; beginning May 6, open Saturday through Tuesday 
with an 80 Chinook per vessel possession and landing limit for each 
four-day open period. If insufficient quota remains to prosecute 
openings prior to the June 24-27 open period, the remaining quota will 
be provided for a June 27-30 open period with a per vessel landing and 
possession limit to be determined inseason. All salmon except coho 
(C.7). Cape Flattery and Columbia Control Zones closed (C.5). See gear 
restrictions and definitions (C.2, C.3). Vessels must land and deliver 
their fish within 24 hours of any closure of this fishery. Under state 
law, vessels must report their catch on a state fish receiving ticket. 
Vessels fishing north of Leadbetter Point must land and deliver their 
fish within the area and north of Leadbetter Point. Vessels fishing 
south of Leadbetter Point must land and deliver their fish within the 
area and south of Leadbetter Point, except that Oregon permitted 
vessels may also land their fish in Garibaldi, OR. Oregon State 
regulations require all fishers landing salmon into Oregon from any 
fishery between Leadbetter Point, WA, and Cape Falcon, OR, must notify 
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) within one hour of 
delivery or prior to transport away from the port of landing by calling 
541-867-0300 Ext. 271. Notification shall include vessel name and 
number, number of salmon by species, port of landing and location of 
delivery, and estimated time of delivery. Inseason actions may modify 
harvest guidelines in later fisheries to achieve or prevent exceeding 
the overall allowable troll harvest impacts (C.8).
    July 15 through earlier of September 15 or a 11,550 preseason 
Chinook guideline (C.8) or a 6,800 marked coho quota (C.8.d). Cape 
Flattery and Columbia Control Zones closed (C.5). Open Saturday through 
Tuesday July 15 through August 1. All salmon; landing and possession 
limit of 35 Chinook and 35 marked coho per vessel per four day open 
period (C.2, C.3). Open August 5 through September 15; Saturday through 
Monday. All salmon except no chum retention north of Cape Alava, WA, in 
August and September (C.7); landing and possession limit of 30 Chinook 
and 40 marked coho per vessel per three day open period. Gear

[[Page 26259]]

restricted to plugs 6 inches (15.2 cm) or longer (C.2, C.3) Vessels 
must land and deliver their fish within 24 hours of any closure of this 
fishery. Under state law, vessels must report their catch on a state 
fish receiving ticket. Vessels fishing north of Leadbetter Point must 
land and deliver their fish within the area and north of Leadbetter 
Point. Vessels fishing south of Leadbetter Point must land and deliver 
their fish within the area and south of Leadbetter Point, except that 
Oregon permitted vessels may also land their fish in Garibaldi, OR. 
Oregon State regulations require all fishers landing salmon into Oregon 
from any fishery between Leadbetter Point, WA, and Cape Falcon, OR, 
must notify ODFW within one hour of delivery or prior to transport away 
from the port of landing by calling 541-867-0300 Ext. 271. Notification 
shall include vessel name and number, number of salmon by species, port 
of landing and location of delivery, and estimated time of delivery. 
Inseason actions may modify harvest guidelines in later fisheries to 
achieve or prevent exceeding the overall allowable troll harvest 
impacts (C.8).

South of Cape Falcon, OR

Cape Falcon to Florence South Jetty, OR (Newport)
    June 4-7, 11-14, 18-21, 25-28; July 9-11, 16-18, 23-25; August 1-3; 
September 17-30; October 17-31 (C.9). All salmon except coho (C.7). 
Landing and possession limit of 75 Chinook per vessel per calendar week 
(Sunday through Saturday) during June, July, and August; 50 Chinook per 
calendar week September and October. Chinook 28 inch (71.1 cm) total 
length minimum size limit (B). All vessels fishing in the area must 
land their fish in the State of Oregon. See gear restrictions and 
definitions (C.2, C.3) and Oregon State regulations for a description 
of special regulations at the mouth of Tillamook Bay.
    In 2007, the season will open March 15 for all salmon except coho, 
with a 28 inch (71.1 cm) total length Chinook minimum size limit. This 
opening could be modified following Council review at its March 2007 
meeting.
Florence South Jetty to Humbug Mountain, OR (Coos Bay)
    Closed (C.9).
    In 2007, the season will open March 15 for all salmon except coho, 
with a 28 inch (71.1 cm) total length Chinook minimum size limit. This 
opening could be modified following Council review at its March 2007 
meeting.
Humbug Mountain to Oregon-California Border (Oregon KMZ)
    Closed (C.9).
    In 2007, the season will open March 15 for all salmon except coho, 
with a 28 inch (71.1 cm) total length Chinook minimum size limit. This 
opening could be modified following Council review at its March 2007 
meeting.
Oregon-California Border to Humboldt South Jetty, CA (California KMZ)
    Closed (C.9).
Humboldt South Jetty to Horse Mountain, CA
    Closed (C.9).
Horse Mountain to Point Arena, CA (Fort Bragg)
    September 1 through the earlier of September 15 or a Chinook quota 
of 4,000 (C.9). All salmon except coho. Landing and possession limit of 
30 Chinook per vessel per day. Fish caught in the area must be landed 
in the area (C.1). Chinook minimum size limit 27 inches (68.6 cm) total 
length (B). See gear restrictions and definitions (C.2, C.3).
    In 2007, the season will open March 15 for all salmon except coho, 
with a 27 inch (68.6 cm) total length Chinook minimum size limit (B). 
This opening could be modified following Council review at its March 
2007 meeting.
Point Arena to Pigeon Point (San Francisco)
    July 26-31; August 1-31; September 1 through the earlier of 
September 30 or a Chinook quota of 20,000 (C.9). All salmon except 
coho. Landing and possession limit of 75 Chinook per vessel per 
calendar week (Sunday through Saturday) during July and August; fish 
must be landed in an area south of Horse Mountain. In September, fish 
caught in the area must be landed in the area, or in an adjacent closed 
area, if that area has been closed for at least 96 hours (C.1). Chinook 
minimum size limit 28 inches (71.1 cm) total length in July and August; 
27 inches (68.6 cm) total length in September (B). See gear 
restrictions and definitions (C.2, C.3).
Point Reyes to Point San Pedro, CA (Fall Area Target Zone)
    October 2-6; 9-13. Open Monday through Friday. All salmon except 
coho. All fish caught in the area must be landed in the area between 
Point Arena and Pigeon Point (C.1). Chinook minimum size limit 26 
inches (68.0 cm) total length (B). See gear restrictions and 
definitions (C.2, C.3).
Pigeon Point to Point Sur (Monterey)
    May 1-31; July 26-31; August 1-31; September 1-30 (C.9). All salmon 
except coho. Landing and possession limit of 75 Chinook per vessel per 
calendar week (Sunday through Saturday) during May, July, and August; 
fish must be landed in an area south of Point Arena. In September, fish 
must be landed in an area south of Pigeon Point, or in an adjacent 
closed area, if that area has been closed for at least 96 hours (C.1). 
Chinook minimum size limit 28 inches (71.1 cm) total length in July and 
August; 27 inches (68.6 cm) total length in May and September (B). See 
gear restrictions and definitions (C.2, C.3).
Point Sur to U.S.-Mexico Border
    May 1 through September 30 (C.9). All salmon except coho. Fish must 
be landed south of Pigeon Point (C.1). Chinook minimum size limit 27 
inches (68.6 cm) total length in May, June, and September; 28 inches 
(71.1 cm) total length in July and August (B). See gear restrictions 
and definitions (C.2, C.3).
B. Minimum Size (Inches) (See C.1)

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                  Chinook                      Coho
                                                          ------------------------------------------------------
                    Area  (when open)                        Total                 Total
                                                             length    Head-off    length    Head-off     Pink
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
North of Cape Falcon, OR.................................       28.0       21.5       16.0       12.0       None
Cape Falcon to OR-CA Border..............................       28.0       21.5  .........  .........       None
OR-CA Border to Horse Mountain, CA.......................  .........  .........  .........  .........       None
Horse Mountain to Point Arena, CA........................       27.0       20.5  .........  .........       None
Pt. Arena to U.S.-Mexico Border:
    Prior to July 1 and from Sept. 1-30..................       27.0       20.5  .........  .........       None
    July 1-August 31.....................................       28.0       21.5  .........  .........       None

[[Page 26260]]

 
    October 3-14.........................................       26.0       19.5  .........  .........      None
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Metric equivalents: 28.0 in=71.1 cm, 27.0 in=68.6 cm, 26.0 in=66.0 cm, 21.5 in=54.6 cm, 20.5 in=52.1 cm, 19.5
  in=49.5 cm, 16.0 in=40.6 cm, and 12.0 in=30.5 cm.

C. Special Requirements, Definitions, Restrictions, or Exceptions
    C.1. Compliance with Minimum Size or Other Special Restrictions: 
All salmon on board a vessel must meet the minimum size, landing/
possession limit, or other special requirements for the area being 
fished and the area in which they are landed if the area is open. 
Salmon may be landed in an area that has been closed more than 96 hours 
only if they meet the minimum size, landing/possession limit, or other 
special requirements for the area in which they were caught. Salmon may 
be landed in an area that has been closed less than 96 hours only if 
they meet the minimum size, landing/possession limit, or other special 
requirements for the areas in which they were caught and landed.
    States may require fish landing/receiving tickets be kept on board 
the vessel for 90 days after landing to account for all previous salmon 
landings.
    C.2. Gear Restrictions:
    a. Single point, single shank, barbless hooks are required in all 
fisheries.
    b. Cape Falcon, OR, to the Oregon-California border: No more than 4 
spreads are allowed per line.
    c. Oregon-California border to U.S.-Mexico border: No more than 6 
lines are allowed per vessel, and barbless circle hooks are required 
when fishing with bait by any means other than trolling.
    C.3. Gear Definitions:
    a. Trolling defined: Fishing from a boat or floating device that is 
making way by means of a source of power, other than drifting by means 
of the prevailing water current or weather conditions.
    b. Troll fishing gear defined: One or more lines that drag hooks 
behind a moving fishing vessel. In that portion of the fishery 
management area (FMA) off Oregon and Washington, the line or lines must 
be affixed to the vessel and must not be intentionally disengaged from 
the vessel at any time during the fishing operation.
    c. Spread defined: A single leader connected to an individual lure 
or bait.
    d. Circle hook defined: A hook with a generally circular shape and 
a point which turns inward, pointing directly to the shank at a 90[deg] 
angle.
    C.4. Transit Through Closed Areas with Salmon on Board: It is 
unlawful for a vessel to have troll or recreational gear in the water 
while transiting any area closed to fishing for a certain species of 
salmon, while possessing that species of salmon; however, fishing for 
species other than salmon is not prohibited if the area is open for 
such species and no salmon for which the area is closed are in 
possession.
    C.5. Control Zone Definitions:
    a. Cape Flattery Control Zone: The area from Cape Flattery, WA 
(48[deg]23[min]00[sec] N. lat.), to the northern boundary of the U.S. 
EEZ; and the area from Cape Flattery, WA, south to Cape Alava, WA 
(48[deg]10[min]00[sec] N. lat.), and east of 125[deg]05[min]00[sec] W. 
long.
    b. Columbia Control Zone: An area at the Columbia River mouth, 
bounded on the west by a line running northeast/southwest between the 
red lighted Buoy 4 (46[deg]13[min]35[sec] N. lat., 
124[deg]06[min]50[sec] W. long.) and the green lighted Buoy 7 
(46[deg]15[min]09[sec] N. lat., 124[deg]06[min]16[sec] W. long.); on 
the east, by the Buoy 10 line which bears north/south at 
357[deg] true from the south jetty at 46[deg]14[min]00[sec] N. lat., 
124[deg]03[min]07[sec] W. long. to its intersection with the north 
jetty; on the north, by a line running northeast/southwest between the 
green lighted Buoy 7 to the tip of the north jetty 
(46[deg]15[min]48[sec] N. lat., 124[deg]05[min]20[sec] W. long.) and 
then along the north jetty to the point of intersection with the Buoy 
10 line; and, on the south, by a line running northeast/
southwest between the red lighted Buoy 4 and tip of the south 
jetty (46[deg]14[min]03[sec] N. lat., 124[deg]04[min]05[sec] W. long.), 
and then along the south jetty to the point of intersection with the 
Buoy 10 line.
    c. Klamath Control Zone: The ocean area at the Klamath River mouth 
bounded on the north by 41[deg]38[min]48[sec] N. lat. (approximately 6 
nautical miles (11.1 km) north of the Klamath River mouth); on the 
west, by 124[deg]23[min]00[sec] W. long. (approximately 12 nautical 
miles (22.2 km) off shore); and, on the south, by 41[deg]26[min]48[sec] 
N. lat. (approximately 6 nautical miles (11.1 km) south of the Klamath 
River mouth).
    C.6. Notification When Unsafe Conditions Prevent Compliance with 
Regulations: If prevented by unsafe weather conditions or mechanical 
problems from meeting special management area landing restrictions, 
vessels must notify the U.S. Coast Guard and receive acknowledgment of 
such notification prior to leaving the area. This notification shall 
include the name of the vessel, port where delivery will be made, 
approximate amount of salmon (by species) on board and the estimated 
time of arrival.
    C.7. Incidental Halibut Harvest: During authorized periods, the 
operator of a vessel that has been issued an incidental halibut harvest 
license may retain Pacific halibut caught incidentally in Area 2A while 
trolling for salmon. Halibut retained must be no less than 32 inches 
(81.3 cm) in total length, measured from the tip of the lower jaw with 
the mouth closed to the extreme end of the middle of the tail, and must 
be landed with the head on. License applications for incidental harvest 
must be obtained from the International Pacific Halibut Commission 
(IPHC) (phone 206-634-1838). Applicants must apply prior to April 1 of 
each year. Incidental harvest is authorized only during May-June troll 
seasons and after June 30 if quota remains and if announced on the NMFS 
hotline (phone 800-662-9825). ODFW and Washington Department of Fish 
and Wildlife (WDFW) will monitor landings. If the landings are 
projected to exceed the 41,464-lb. (18.8-mt) preseason allocation or 
the total Area 2A non-Indian commercial halibut allocation, NMFS will 
take inseason action to close the incidental halibut fishery.
    Beginning May 1, license holders may land no more than 1 Pacific 
halibut per each 3 Chinook, except 1 Pacific halibut may be landed 
without meeting the ratio requirement, and no more than 35 halibut may 
be landed per trip. Pacific halibut retained must be no less than 32 
inches (81.3 cm) in total length (with head on).
    A ``C-shaped'' yelloweye rockfish conservation area is an area to 
be avoided for salmon trolling. NMFS and the Council request salmon 
trollers voluntarily avoid this area in order to protect yelloweye 
rockfish. The area boundary is defined in the Council Halibut Catch 
Sharing Plan in the North Coast subarea (Washington marine area 3), by 
straight lines connecting the

[[Page 26261]]

following coordinates in the order listed:

48[deg]18[min] N. lat.; 125[deg]18[min] W. long;
48[deg]18[min] N. lat.; 124[deg]59[min] W. long;
48[deg]11[min] N. lat.; 124[deg]59[min] W. long;
48[deg]11[min] N. lat.; 125[deg]11[min] W. long;
48[deg]04[min] N. lat.; 125[deg]11[min] W. long;
48[deg]04[min] N. lat.; 124[deg]59[min] W. long;
48[deg]00[min] N. lat.; 124[deg]59[min] W. long;
48[deg]00[min] N. lat.; 125[deg]18[min] W. long;
and connecting back to 48[deg]18[min] N. lat.; 125[deg]18[min] W. long.

    C.8. Inseason Management: In addition to standard inseason actions 
or modifications already noted under the season description, the 
following inseason guidance is provided to NMFS:
    a. Chinook remaining from the May through June non-Indian 
commercial troll harvest guideline north of Cape Falcon, OR, may be 
transferred to the July through September harvest guideline on a 
fishery impact equivalent basis.
    b. NMFS may transfer fish between the recreational and commercial 
fisheries north of Cape Falcon, OR, if there is agreement among the 
areas' representatives on the Salmon Advisory Subpanel.
    c. At the March 2007 meeting, the Council will consider inseason 
recommendations for special regulations for any experimental fisheries 
(proposals must meet Council protocol and be received in November 
2006).
    d. If retention of unmarked coho is permitted in the area from the 
U.S.-Canada border to Cape Falcon, OR, by inseason action, the 
allowable coho quota will be adjusted to ensure preseason projected 
mortality of critical stocks is not exceeded.
    C.9. Consistent with Council management objectives:
    a. The State of Oregon may establish additional late-season, 
Chinook-only fisheries in state waters.
    b. The State of California may establish limited fisheries in 
selected state waters.
    Check state regulations for details.
    C.10. For the purposes of California Department of Fish and Game 
Code, Section 8232.5, the definition of the Klamath Management Zone for 
the ocean salmon season shall be that area from Humbug Mountain, OR, to 
Horse Mountain, CA.

Section 2. Recreational Management Measures for 2006 Ocean Salmon 
Fisheries

    Note: This section contains restrictions in parts A, B, and C 
that must be followed for lawful participation in the fishery. Each 
fishing area identified in part A specifies the fishing area by 
geographic boundaries from north to south, the open seasons for the 
area, the salmon species allowed to be caught during the seasons, 
and any other special restrictions effective in the area. Part B 
specifies minimum size limits. Part C specifies special 
requirements, definitions, restrictions and exceptions.

A. Season Description

North of Cape Falcon, OR

U.S.-Canada Border to Cape Alava, WA (Neah Bay Subarea)
    June 30 through earlier of September 17 or a 7,058 marked coho 
subarea quota with a subarea guideline of 3,200 Chinook (C.6). Open 
Tuesday through Saturday. All salmon, except no chum retention August 1 
through September 17, two fish per day, no more than one of which may 
be a Chinook (Chinook 24-inch (61.0 cm) total length minimum size 
limit) (B). All retained coho must be marked. See gear restrictions 
(C.2). Beginning August 1, Chinook non-retention east of the Bonilla-
Tatoosh line (C.4.d) during Council managed ocean fishery. Inseason 
management may be used to sustain season length and keep harvest within 
the overall Chinook recreational TAC for north of Cape Falcon (C.4).
Cape Alava to Queets River, WA (La Push Subarea)
    June 30 through earlier of September 17 or a 1,889 marked coho 
subarea quota with a subarea guideline of 1,300 Chinook; Open Tuesday 
through Saturday. September 23 through October 8 or a 50 marked coho 
quota or 100 Chinook quota; in the area north of 47[deg]50[min]00[sec] 
N. Lat. and south of 48[deg]00[min]00[sec] N. Lat. (C.5); open seven 
days per week (C.6). All salmon, two fish per day, no more than one of 
which may be a Chinook (Chinook 24-inch (61.0 cm) total length minimum 
size limit) (B). All retained coho must be marked. See gear 
restrictions (C.2). Inseason management may be used to sustain season 
length and keep harvest within the overall Chinook recreational TAC for 
north of Cape Falcon (C.4).
Queets River to Leadbetter Point, WA (Westport Subarea)
    July 3 through earlier of September 17 or a 27,603 marked coho 
subarea quota with a subarea guideline of 18,100 Chinook (C.6). Open 
Sunday through Thursday. All salmon, two fish per day, no more than one 
of which may be a Chinook (Chinook 24-inch (61.0 cm) total length 
minimum size limit) (B). All retained coho must be marked. See gear 
restrictions and definitions (C.2, C.3). Beginning August 1, Grays 
Harbor Control Zone closed (C.4.b). Inseason management may be used to 
sustain season length and keep harvest within the overall Chinook 
recreational TAC for north of Cape Falcon (C.5).
Leadbetter Point to Cape Falcon, OR (Columbia River Subarea)
    July 3 through earlier of September 30 or a 36,600 marked coho 
subarea quota with a subarea guideline of 8,300 Chinook (C.6). Open 
Sunday through Thursday. All salmon, two fish per day, no more than one 
of which may be a Chinook (Chinook 24-inch (61.0 cm) total length 
minimum size limit) (B). All retained coho must be marked with a healed 
adipose fin clip. See gear restrictions and definitions (C.2, C.3). 
Columbia Control Zone closed (C.4.a). Closed between Cape Falcon and 
Tillamook Head beginning August 1. Inseason management may be used to 
sustain season length and keep harvest within the overall Chinook 
recreational TAC for north of Cape Falcon (C.5).

South of Cape Falcon, OR

Cape Falcon to Humbug Mountain, OR
    Except as provided below during the selective fishery, the season 
will be March 15 through October 31 (C.6). All salmon except coho. Two 
fish per day (C.1). See gear restrictions and definitions (C.2, C.3).
    Selective fishery: Cape Falcon to the Oregon-California Border. 
June 17 through earlier of July 31 or a landed catch of 20,000 marked 
coho, except that the area south of Humbug Mountain will close July 5-
31, concurrent with the KMZ season listed below. If quota remains, 
September 1 through the earlier of September 6 or a landed catch of any 
remaining quota from the June 17 through July 31 fishery. Open seven 
days per week, all salmon, two fish per day (C.1). All retained coho 
must be marked with a healed adipose fin clip.
    Fishing in the Stonewall Bank groundfish conservation area 
restricted to trolling only on days the all depth recreational halibut 
fishery is open (see 71 FR 10850, March 3, 2006, and call the halibut 
fishing hotline 1-800-662-9825 for additional dates) (C.3, C.4.e). Open 
days may be adjusted inseason to utilize the available quota (C.5). All 
salmon except coho seasons reopen the day following the closure of the 
mark selective coho fishery.
    In 2007, the season will open March 15 for all salmon except coho, 
two fish per day (C.1), Chinook minimum size limit of 20 inches (50.8 
cm) total length (B), and the same gear restrictions as in 2006 (C.2, 
C.3).

[[Page 26262]]

Humbug Mountain to Horse Mountain, CA (Klamath Management Zone)
    Except as provided above during the selective fishery, the season 
will be May 15 through July 4; and September 1-6 (C.6). All salmon 
except coho, except as noted above in the coho mark selective fishery. 
Chinook minimum size limit 24 inches (61.0 cm) total length (B). Open 
seven days per week, two fish per day (C.1). See gear restrictions and 
definitions (C.2, C.3). Klamath Control Zone closed in August (C.4.c). 
See California State regulations for additional closures adjacent to 
the Smith, Klamath, and Eel rivers.
Horse Mountain to Point Arena, CA (Fort Bragg)
    February 18 through May 31; June 1-4, 7-11, 14-18, 21-25, 28-30; 
July 1-9, 15-16, 22-23, 26-31; August 1 through November 12 (C.6). All 
salmon except coho. Two fish per day (C.1). Chinook minimum size limit 
20 inches (50.8 cm) total length (B). See gear restrictions and 
definitions (C.2, C.3).
    In 2007, season opens February 17 (nearest Saturday to February 15) 
for all salmon except coho, two fish per day (C.1), Chinook minimum 
size limit of 20 inches (50.8 cm) total length (B), and the same gear 
restrictions as in 2006 (C.2, C.3).
Point Arena to Pigeon Point, CA (San Francisco)
    April 1-30 inside 3 nm (5.6 km) (state waters only; C.6). May 1 
through June 11; June 14 through July 9; July 12 through November 12 
(C.6). All salmon except coho. Two fish per day (C.1). Chinook minimum 
size limit 20 inches (50.8 cm) total length (B). See gear restrictions 
and definitions (C.2, C.3).
    In 2007, the season will open April 7 for all salmon except coho, 
two fish per day (C.1), Chinook minimum size limit of 20 inches (50.8 
cm) total length (B), and the same gear restrictions as in 2006 (C.2, 
C.3).
Pigeon Point to Point Sur (Monterey)
    April 1-30 inside 3 nm (5.6 km) (state waters only; C.6). May 1 
through September 24 (C.6). All salmon except coho. Two fish per day 
(C.1). Chinook minimum size limit 20 inches (50.8 cm) total length (B). 
See gear restrictions and definitions (C.2, C.3).
    In 2007, the season will open April 7 for all salmon except coho, 
two fish per day (C.1), Chinook minimum size limit of 20 inches (50.8 
cm) total length (B), and the same gear restrictions as in 2006 (C.2, 
C.3).
Point Sur to U.S.-Mexico Border
    April 1 through September 24 (C.6). All salmon except coho. Two 
fish per day (C.1). Chinook minimum size limit 20 inches (50.8 cm) 
total length (B). See gear restrictions and definitions (C.2, C.3).
    In 2007, the season will open April 7 for all salmon except coho, 
two fish per day (C.1), Chinook minimum size limit of 20 inches (50.8 
cm) total length (B), and the same gear restrictions as in 2006 (C.2, 
C.3).
B. Minimum Size (Total Length in Inches) (See C.1)

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Area (when open)                Chinook        Coho                         Pink
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
North of Cape Falcon, OR................         24.0         16.0  None.
Cape Falcon to Humbug Mt., CA...........         20.0         16.0  None.
Humbug Mt. to Horse Mt., CA.............         24.0  ...........  None, except 20.0 off CA.
Horse Mt. to U.S.-Mexico Border.........         20.0  ...........  20.0.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Metric equivalents: 24.0 in=61.0 cm, 20.0 in=50.8 cm, 16.0 in=40.6 cm.

C. Special Requirements, Definitions, Restrictions, or Exceptions
    C.1. Compliance with Minimum Size and Other Special Restrictions: 
All salmon on board a vessel must meet the minimum size or other 
special requirements for the area being fished, and the area in which 
they are landed if that area is open. Salmon may be landed in an area 
that is closed only if they meet the minimum size or other special 
requirements for the area in which they were caught.
    Ocean Boat Limits: Off the coast of Washington, Oregon, and 
California, each fisher aboard a vessel may continue to use angling 
gear until the combined daily limits of salmon for all licensed and 
juvenile anglers aboard has been attained (additional state 
restrictions may apply).
    C.2. Gear Restrictions: All persons fishing for salmon, and all 
persons fishing from a boat with salmon on board must meet the gear 
restrictions listed below for specific areas or seasons.
    a. U.S.-Canada Border to Point Conception, CA: No more than one rod 
may be used per angler; and single point, single shank barbless hooks 
are required for all fishing gear. Note: ODFW regulations in the state-
water fishery off Tillamook Bay, OR, may allow the use of barbed hooks 
to be consistent with inside regulations.
    b. Cape Falcon, OR, to Point Conception, CA: Anglers must use no 
more than 2 single point, single shank, barbless hooks.
    c. Horse Mountain to Point Conception, CA: Single point, single 
shank, barbless circle hooks (see circle hook definition below) must be 
used if angling with bait by any means other than trolling and no more 
than 2 such hooks shall be used. When angling with 2 hooks, the 
distance between the hooks must not exceed 5 inches (12.7 cm) when 
measured from the top of the eye of the top hook to the inner base of 
the curve of the lower hook, and both hooks must be permanently tied in 
place (hard tied). Circle hooks are not required when artificial lures 
are used without bait.
    C.3. Gear Definitions:
    a. Recreational fishing gear defined: Angling tackle consisting of 
a line with no more than one artificial lure or natural bait attached. 
Off Oregon and Washington, the line must be attached to a rod and reel 
held by hand or closely attended; the rod and reel must be held by hand 
while playing a hooked fish. No person may use more than one rod and 
line while fishing off Oregon or Washington. Off California, the line 
must be attached to a rod and reel held by hand or closely attended. 
Weights directly attached to a line may not exceed four pounds (1.8 
kg). While fishing off California north of Point Conception, no person 
fishing for salmon, and no person fishing from a boat with salmon on 
board, may use more than one rod and line. Fishing includes any 
activity which can reasonably be expected to result in the catching, 
taking, or harvesting of fish.
    b. Circle hook defined: A hook with a generally circular shape and 
a point which turns inward, pointing directly to the shank at a 90[deg] 
angle.
    c. Trolling defined: Angling from a boat or floating device that is 
making way by means of a source of power, other than drifting by means 
of the prevailing water current or weather conditions.

[[Page 26263]]

    C.4. Control Zone Definitions:
    a. Columbia Control Zone: An area at the Columbia River mouth, 
bounded on the west by a line running northeast/southwest between the 
red lighted Buoy 4 (46[deg]13[min]35[sec] N. lat., 
124[deg]06[min]50[sec] W. long.) and the green lighted Buoy 7 
(46[deg]15[min]09[sec] N. lat., 124[deg]06[min]16[sec] W. long.); on 
the east, by the Buoy 10 line which bears north/south at 
357[deg] true from the south jetty at 46[deg]14[min]00[sec] N. lat., 
124[deg]03[min]07[sec] W. long. to its intersection with the north 
jetty; on the north, by a line running northeast/southwest between the 
green lighted Buoy 7 to the tip of the north jetty 
(46[deg]15[min]48[sec] N. lat., 124[deg]05[min]20[sec] W. long.) and 
then along the north jetty to the point of intersection with the Buoy 
10 line; and, on the south, by a line running northeast/
southwest between the red lighted Buoy 4 and tip of the south 
jetty (46[deg]14[min]03[sec] N. lat., 124[deg]04[min]05[sec] W. long.), 
and then along the south jetty to the point of intersection with the 
Buoy 10 line.
    b. Grays Harbor Control Zone: The area defined by a line drawn from 
the Westport Lighthouse (46[deg]53[min]18[sec] N. lat., 
124[deg]07[min]01[sec] W. long.) to Buoy 2 
(46[deg]52[min]42[sec] N. lat., 124[deg]12[min]42[sec] W. long.) to 
Buoy 3 (46[deg]55[min]00[sec] N. lat., 124[deg]14[min]48[sec] 
W. long.) to the Grays Harbor north jetty (46[deg]36[min]00[sec] N. 
lat., 124[deg]10[min]51[sec] W. long.).
    c. Klamath Control Zone: The ocean area at the Klamath River mouth 
bounded on the north by 41[deg]38[min]48[sec] N. lat. (approximately 6 
nautical miles (11.1 km) north of the Klamath River mouth); on the 
west, by 124[deg]23[min]00[sec] W. long. (approximately 12 nautical 
miles (22.2 km) off shore); and, on the south, by 41[deg]26[min]48[sec] 
N. lat. (approximately 6 nautical miles (11.1 km) south of the Klamath 
River mouth).
    d. Bonilla-Tatoosh Line: Defined as a line running from the western 
end of Cape Flattery, WA, to Tatoosh Island Lighthouse 
(48[deg]23[min]30[sec] N. lat., 124[deg]44[min]12[sec] W. long.) to the 
buoy adjacent to Duntze Rock (48[deg]28[min]00[sec] N. lat., 
124[deg]45[min]00[sec] W. long.), then in a straight line to Bonilla 
Point (48[deg]35[min]30[sec] N. lat., 124[deg]43[min]00[sec] W. long.) 
on Vancouver Island, B.C.
    e. Stonewall Bank Groundfish Conservation Area: The area defined by 
the following coordinates in the order listed:

44[deg]37.46 N. lat.; 124[deg]24.92 W. long.;
44[deg]37.46 N. lat.; 124[deg]23.63 W. long.;
44[deg]28.71 N. lat.; 124[deg]21.80 W. long.;
44[deg]28.71 N. lat.; 124[deg]24.10 W. long.;
44[deg]31.42 N. lat.; 124[deg]25.47 W. long.;
and connecting back to 44[deg]37.46 N. lat.; 124[deg]24.92 W. long.

    C.5. Inseason Management: Regulatory modifications may become 
necessary inseason to meet preseason management objectives such as 
quotas, harvest guidelines, and season duration. In addition to 
standard inseason actions or modifications already noted under the 
season description, the following inseason guidance is provided to 
NMFS:
    a. Actions could include modifications to bag limits, or days open 
to fishing, and extensions or reductions in areas open to fishing.
    b. Coho may be transferred inseason among recreational subareas 
north of Cape Falcon on an impact neutral basis to help meet the 
recreational season duration objectives (for each subarea) after 
conferring with representatives of the affected ports and the Council's 
Salmon Advisory Subpanel (SAS) recreational representatives north of 
Cape Falcon.
    c. Chinook and coho may be transferred between the recreational and 
commercial fisheries north of Cape Falcon on an impact neutral basis if 
there is agreement among the representatives of the SAS.
    d. If retention of unmarked coho is permitted in the area from the 
U.S.-Canada border to Cape Falcon, OR, by inseason action, the 
allowable coho quota will be adjusted to ensure preseason projected 
mortality of critical stocks is not exceeded.
    C.6. Additional Seasons in State Waters: Consistent with Council 
management objectives, the States of Washington, Oregon, and California 
may establish limited seasons in state waters. Oregon State-water 
fisheries are limited to Chinook salmon. Check state regulations for 
details.

Section 3. Treaty Indian Management Measures for 2006 Ocean Salmon 
Fisheries

    Note: This section contains restrictions in parts A, B, and C 
which must be followed for lawful participation in the fishery.

A. Season Descriptions

U.S.-Canada Border to Cape Falcon, OR

    May 1 through the earlier of June 30 or a 22,700 Chinook quota. All 
salmon except coho. If the Chinook quota for the May-June fishery is 
not fully utilized, the excess fish cannot be transferred into the 
later all-salmon season. If the Chinook quota is exceeded, the excess 
will be deducted from the later all-salmon season. See size limit (B) 
and other restrictions (C).
    July 1 through the earlier of September 15, or a 19,500 preseason 
Chinook quota, or a 37,500 coho quota. All salmon. See size limit (B) 
and other restrictions (C).
B. Minimum Size (Inches)

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                  Chinook                Coho
                                                          --------------------------------------------
               Area (when open) and fishery                  Total                 Total                  Pink
                                                             length    Head-off    length    Head-off
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
North of Cape Falcon, OR
    Commercial...........................................       24.0       18.0       16.0       12.0       None
    Ceremonial and Subsistence...........................       None       None       None       None      None
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Metric equivalents: 24.0 in=61.0 cm, 18.0 in=45.7 cm, 16.0in=40.6 cm, and 12.0 in=30.5 cm.

C. Special Requirements, Restrictions, and Exceptions
    C.1 Tribe and Area Boundaries: All boundaries may be changed to 
include such other areas as may hereafter be authorized by a Federal 
court for that tribe's treaty fishery.
    MAKAH--Washington State Statistical Area 4B and that portion of the 
FMA north of 48[deg]02[min]15[sec] N. lat. (Norwegian Memorial) and 
east of 125[deg]44[min]00[sec] W. long.
    QUILEUTE--That portion of the FMA between 48[deg]07[min]36[sec] N. 
lat. (Sand Point) and 47[deg]31[min]42[sec] N. lat. (Queets River) and 
east of 125[deg]44[min]00[sec] W. long.
    HOH--That portion of the FMA between 47[deg]54[min]18[sec] N. lat. 
(Quillayute River) and 47[deg]21[min]00[sec] N. lat. (Quinault River) 
and east of 125[deg]44[min]00[sec] W. long.
    QUINAULT--That portion of the FMA between 47[deg]40'06'' N. lat. 
(Destruction Island) and 46[deg]53'18'' N. lat. (Point Chehalis) and 
east of 125[deg]44'00'' W. long.
    C.2 Gear restrictions:
    a. Single point, single shank, barbless hooks are required in all 
fisheries.
    b. No more than 8 fixed lines per boat.
    c. No more than four hand held lines per person in the Makah area 
fishery

[[Page 26264]]

(Washington State Statistical Area 4B and that portion of the FMA north 
of 48[deg]02'15'' N. lat. (Norwegian Memorial) and east of 
125[deg]44'00'' W. long.)
    C.3 Quotas:
    a. The quotas include troll catches by the S'Klallam and Makah 
tribes in Washington State Statistical Area 4B from May 1 through 
September 15.
    b. The Makah encounter rate study will occur between May 1 and 
September 15. Salmon taken in the study by treaty Indian vessels will 
be counted towards the overall treaty Indian troll quota.
    c. The Quileute Tribe will continue a ceremonial and subsistence 
fishery during the time frame of September 15 through October 15 in the 
same manner as in 2004 and 2005. Fish taken during this fishery are to 
be counted against treaty troll quotas established for the 2006 season 
(estimated harvest during the October ceremonial and subsistence 
fishery: 100 Chinook; 200 coho).
    C.4 Area Closures:
    a. The area within a 6-nautical mile (11.1-km) radius of the mouths 
of the Queets River, WA (47[deg]31'42'' N. lat.) and the Hoh River, WA 
(47[deg]45'12'' N. lat.) will be closed to commercial fishing.
    b. A closure within 2-nautical miles (3.7 km) of the mouth of the 
Quinault River, WA (47[deg]21'00'' N. lat.) may be enacted by the 
Quinault Nation and/or the State of Washington and will not adversely 
affect the Secretary of Commerce's management regime.

Section 4. Halibut Retention

    Under the authority of the Northern Pacific Halibut Act, NMFS 
promulgated regulations governing the Pacific halibut fishery which 
appear at 50 CFR part 300, subpart E. On March 3, 2006, NMFS published 
a final rule (71 FR 10850) to implement the International Pacific 
Halibut Commission's (IPHC) recommendations, to announce fishery 
regulations for U.S. waters off Alaska and fishery regulations for 
treaty commercial and ceremonial and subsistence fisheries, some 
regulations for non-treaty commercial fisheries for U.S. waters off the 
West Coast, and approval of and implement the Area 2A Pacific halibut 
Catch Sharing Plan and the Area 2A management measures for 2006. The 
regulations and management measures provide that vessels participating 
in the salmon troll fishery in Area 2A (all waters off the States of 
Washington, Oregon, and California), which have obtained the 
appropriate IPHC license, may retain halibut caught incidentally during 
authorized periods in conformance with provisions published with the 
annual salmon management measures. A salmon troller may participate in 
the halibut incidental catch fishery during the salmon troll season or 
in the directed commercial fishery targeting halibut, but not both.
    The following measures have been approved by the IPHC, and 
implemented by NMFS. The operator of a vessel who has been issued an 
incidental halibut harvest license by the IPHC may retain Pacific 
halibut caught incidentally in Area 2A, during authorized periods, 
while trolling for salmon. Incidental harvest is authorized only during 
the May and June troll seasons. It is also authorized after June 30 if 
halibut quota remains and if halibut retention is announced on the NMFS 
hotline (phone 800-662-9825). License holders may land no more than 1 
halibut per each 3 Chinook, except 1 halibut may be landed without 
meeting the ratio requirement, and no more than 35 halibut may be 
landed per trip. Halibut retained must meet the minimum size limit of 
32 inches (81.3 cm) total length (with head on). The ODFW and WDFW will 
monitor landings and, if they are projected to exceed the 41,464-lb. 
(18.8-mt) salmon troll allocation or the Area 2A non-Indian commercial 
total allowable catch of halibut, NMFS will take inseason action to 
close the incidental halibut fishery. License applications for 
incidental harvest must be obtained from the IPHC. Applicants must 
apply prior to April 1 of each year.
    NMFS and the Council request that salmon trollers voluntarily avoid 
a ``C-shaped'' yelloweye rockfish conservation area in order to protect 
yelloweye rockfish. The area is defined in the Pacific Council Halibut 
Catch Sharing Plan in the North Coast subarea (WA marine area 3) (See 
Section 1.C.7. for the coordinates).

Section 5. Geographical Landmarks

    Wherever the words ``nautical miles off shore'' are used in this 
document, the distance is measured from the baseline from which the 
territorial sea is measured.
    Geographical landmarks referenced in this document are at the 
following locations:

Cape Flattery, WA--48[deg]23'00'' N. lat.
Cape Alava, WA--48[deg]10'00'' N. lat.
Queets River, WA--47[deg]31'42'' N. lat.
Leadbetter Point, WA--46[deg]38'10'' N. lat.
Cape Falcon, OR--45[deg]46'00'' N. lat.
Florence South Jetty, OR--44[deg]00'54'' N. lat.
Humbug Mountain, OR--42[deg]40'30'' N. lat.
Oregon-California Border--42[deg]00'00'' N. lat.
Humboldt South Jetty, CA--40[deg]45'53'' N. lat.
Horse Mountain, CA--40[deg]05'00'' N. lat.
Point Arena, CA--38[deg]57'30'' N. lat.
Point Reyes, CA--37[deg]59'44'' N. lat.
Point San Pedro, CA--37[deg]35'40'' N. lat.
Pigeon Point, CA--37[deg]11'00'' N. lat.
Point Sur, CA--36[deg]18'00'' N. lat.
Point Conception, CA--34[deg]27'00'' N. lat.

Section 6. Inseason Notice Procedures

    Actual notice of inseason management actions will be provided by a 
telephone hotline administered by the Northwest Region, NMFS, 206-526-
6667 or 800-662-9825, and by U.S. Coast Guard Notice to Mariners 
broadcasts. These broadcasts are announced on Channel 16 VHF-FM and 
2182 KHz at frequent intervals. The announcements designate the channel 
or frequency over which the Notice to Mariners will be immediately 
broadcast. Inseason actions will also be filed with the Federal 
Register as soon as practicable. Since provisions of these management 
measures may be altered by inseason actions, fishermen should monitor 
either the telephone hotline or Coast Guard broadcasts for current 
information for the area in which they are fishing.
Classification
    This notification of annual management measures is exempt from 
review under Executive Order 12866.
    The Assistant Administrator has determined that the measures 
described in the preamble that deviate from the framework FMP and its 
implementing regulations are necessary to respond to an emergency 
situation and are consistent with the Magnuson-Stevens Act and other 
applicable law. The measures falling under emergency authority of 
section 305(c) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act (emergency rule) involve an 
overall ocean harvest rate on Klamath River fall Chinook that will 
result in a projected Klamath fall Chinook spawning escapement of 
21,100, below the floor of 35,000 naturally spawning adults. Therefore, 
it is necessary to amend those portions of the framework FMP and its 
implementing regulations by emergency action pursuant to 16 U.S.C. 
1855(c).
    The provisions of 50 CFR 660.411 state that if, for good cause, an 
action must be filed without affording a prior opportunity for public 
comment, the measures will become effective; however, public comments 
on the action will be received for a period of 15 days after the date 
of publication in the Federal Register. NMFS will receive public 
comments on this action until May 19, 2006. These regulations are being 
promulgated under the authority of 16 U.S.C. 1855(c) and (d).

[[Page 26265]]

    The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA (AA) finds good 
cause under 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B), to waive the requirement for prior 
notice and opportunity for public comment, as such procedures are 
impracticable.
    The annual salmon management cycle begins May 1 and continues 
through April 30 of the following year. May 1 was chosen because the 
pre-May harvests constitute a relatively small portion of the annual 
catch. The time-frame of the preseason process for determining the 
annual modifications to ocean salmon fishery management measures 
depends on when the pertinent biological data are available. Salmon 
stocks are managed to meet annual spawning escapement goals or specific 
exploitation rates. Achieving either of these objectives requires 
designing management measures that are appropriate for the ocean 
abundance predicted for that year. These pre-season abundance 
forecasts, which are derived from the previous year's observed spawning 
escapement, vary substantially from year to year, and are not available 
until January and February because spawning escapement continues 
through the fall.
    The preseason planning and public review process associated with 
developing Council recommendations is initiated in February as soon as 
the forecast information becomes available. The public planning process 
requires coordination of management actions of four states, numerous 
Indian tribes, and the Federal Government, all of which have management 
authority over the stocks. This complex process includes the affected 
user groups, as well as the general public. The process is compressed 
into a 2-month period which culminates at the April Council meeting at 
which the Council adopts a recommendation that is forwarded to NMFS for 
review, approval and implementation of fishing regulations effective on 
May 1.
    Providing opportunity for prior notice and public comments on the 
Council's recommended measures through a proposed and final rulemaking 
process would require 30 to 60 days in addition to the 2-month period 
required for development of the regulations. Delaying implementation of 
annual fishing regulations, which are based on the current stock 
abundance projections, for an additional 60 days would require that 
fishing regulations for May and June be set in the previous year 
without knowledge of current stock status. Although this is currently 
done for fisheries opening prior to May, relatively little harvest 
occurs during that period (e.g., in 2005 less than 10 percent of 
commercial and recreational harvest occurred prior to May 1). Allowing 
the much more substantial harvest levels normally associated with the 
May and June seasons to be regulated in a similar way would impair 
NMFS' ability to protect weak and ESA listed stocks and provide harvest 
opportunity where appropriate.
    Overall, the annual population dynamics of the various salmon 
stocks require managers to vary the season structure of the various 
West Coast area fisheries to both protect weaker stocks and give 
fishers access to stronger salmon stocks, particularly hatchery 
produced fish. Failure to implement these measures immediately could 
compromise the status of certain stocks, or result in foregone 
opportunity to harvest stocks whose abundance has increased relative to 
the previous year thereby undermining the purpose of this agency 
action. For example, the 2006 forecast ocean abundance for KRFC 
requires closing the commercial seasons from Cape Falcon to Humbug 
Mountain, OR, in May, where these areas were open in May during the 
2005 season. Without these, and similar restrictions in other areas in 
2006, the projected KRFC natural spawning escapement would be even 
lower, which would increase the risk of jeopardizing the capacity of 
the fishery to produce maximum sustained yield on a continuing basis. 
In addition, in the commercial fishery north of Cape Falcon, the 
fishing periods are shorter and the landing and possession limits are 
lower in May in 2006 than they were in 2005 in order to protect LCR 
coho and Chinook stocks. Based upon the above-described need to have 
these measures effective on May 1 and the fact that there is limited 
time available to implement these new measures after the final Council 
meeting in April and before the commencement of the ocean salmon 
fishing year on May 1, NMFS has concluded it is impracticable to 
provide an opportunity for prior notice and public comment under 5 
U.S.C. 553(b)(B).
    The AA also finds that good cause exists under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3), 
to waive the 30-day delay in effectiveness of this final rule. As 
previously discussed, data are not available until February and 
management measures not finalized until early April. These measures are 
essential to conserve threatened and endangered ocean salmon stocks, 
and to provide for harvest of more abundant stocks. If these measures 
are not in place on May 1, the previous year's management measures will 
continue to apply. Failure to implement these measures immediately 
could compromise the status of certain stocks, such as the KRFC, and 
negatively impact international, state, and tribal salmon fisheries, 
thereby undermining the purposes of this agency action.
    To enhance notification of the fishing industry of these new 
measures, NMFS is announcing the new measures over the telephone 
hotline used for inseason management actions and is also posting the 
regulations on both of its West Coast regional Web sites at http://www.nwr.noaa.gov and http://swr.nmfs.noaa.gov. NMFS is also advising 
the States of Washington, Oregon, and California on the new management 
measures. These states announce the seasons for applicable state and 
Federal fisheries through their own public notification systems.
    This action contains collection-of-information requirements subject 
to the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA), and which have been approved by 
OMB under Control Number 0648-0433. The public reporting burden for 
providing notifications if landing area restrictions cannot be met, or 
to obtain temporary mooring in Brookings, OR, is estimated to average 
15 minutes per response. This estimate includes the time for reviewing 
instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and 
maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the 
collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden 
estimate, or any other aspect of this data collection, including 
suggestions for reducing the burden, to NMFS and OMB (see ADDRESSES).
    Notwithstanding any other provision of the law, no person is 
required to respond to, nor shall any person be subject to a penalty 
for failure to comply with, a collection of information subject to the 
requirements of the PRA, unless that collection of information displays 
a currently valid OMB control number.
    Since 1989, NMFS has listed 27 ESUs of salmonids on the West Coast. 
As the listings have occurred, NMFS has conducted formal ESA section 7 
consultations and issued biological opinions, and made determinations 
under section 4(d) of the ESA (Table 1), that consider the impacts to 
listed salmonid species resulting from proposed implementation of the 
Salmon FMP, or in some cases, from proposed implementation of the 
annual management measures.

[[Page 26266]]



  Table 1.--NMFS' Endangered Species Act Consultations and Section 4(d)
 Determinations Related to Ocean Fisheries Implemented Under the Salmon
         FMP and Duration of the Proposed Action Covered by Each
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                        Evolutionarily significant unit
                 Date                     covered and effective period
------------------------------------------------------------------------
March 8, 1996........................  Snake River Chinook and sockeye
                                        (until reinitiated).
April 28, 1999.......................  Oregon coast coho, S. Oregon/N.
                                        California coast coho, Central
                                        California coast coho (until
                                        reinitiated).
April 28, 2000.......................  Central Valley spring Chinook and
                                        California coast Chinook (until
                                        reinitiated).
April 27, 2001.......................  Hood Canal summer chum 4(d) limit
                                        and associated biological
                                        opinion (until reinitiated).
April 30, 2001.......................  Upper Willamette River Chinook,
                                        Upper Columbia River spring
                                        Chinook, Ozette Lake sockeye,
                                        ten steelhead ESUs, Columbia
                                        River chum (until reinitiated).
April 27, 2004.......................  Sacramento River winter Chinook
                                        (until 2010).
April 29, 2004.......................  Puget Sound Chinook and Lower
                                        Columbia River Chinook (until
                                        reinitiated).
April 27, 2006.......................  Lower Columbia River coho (April
                                        30, 2007).
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Associated with the biological opinions are incidental take 
statements that specify the level of take that is expected. Some of the 
biological opinions have concluded that implementation of the Salmon 
FMP is not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of certain 
listed salmonid ESUs and provide incidental take statements. Other 
biological opinions have found that implementation of the Salmon FMP is 
likely to jeopardize certain listed ESUs and have identified reasonable 
and prudent alternatives (consultation standards) that would avoid the 
likelihood of jeopardizing the continued existence of the ESU under 
consideration, and provided an incidental take statement for the 
reasonable and prudent alternative.
    In a March 6, 2006, letter to the Council, NMFS provided the 
Council with ESA consultation standards and guidance for the management 
of stocks listed under the ESA. These management measures are 
consistent with the biological opinions that find no jeopardy, with the 
reasonable and prudent alternatives in the jeopardy biological 
opinions, and with the terms of the state and Tribal RMPs.
    Southern resident killer whales were recently listed as endangered 
under the ESA effective February 16, 2006. NMFS has initiated a Section 
7 consultation regarding the effects of Council salmon fisheries on 
southern resident killer whales. NMFS expects to complete a ESA section 
7 consultation by June 2006. In the event that the review suggests that 
further constraints in the 2006 fisheries are necessary, appropriate 
corrections will be made by NMFS through inseason action.

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 773-773k; 1801 et seq.

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 660

    Administrative practice and procedure, Fisheries, Fishing, Indians.

    Dated: April 28, 2006.
James W. Balsiger,
Acting Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National 
Marine Fisheries Service.

0
For the reasons set out in the preamble, 50 CFR part 660 is amended as 
follows:

PART 660--FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES

0
1. The authority citation for part 660 continues to read as follows:


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

0
2. In Sec.  660.410, paragraphs (a) and (b)(1) are suspended and 
paragraphs (b)(4) and (d) are added to read as follows:


Sec.  660.410  Conservation objectives.

* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (4) A comprehensive technical review of the best scientific 
information available provides conclusive evidence that, in the view of 
the Council, the Scientific and Statistical Committee, and the Salmon 
Technical Team, justifies modification of a conservation objective.
* * * * *
    (d) The conservation objectives are summarized in Table 3-1 of the 
Pacific Coast Salmon Plan, except that in 2006, the Klamath River fall 
Chinook will not be managed to meet the spawning escapement floor. 
Klamath River fall Chinook will be managed to protect its long-term 
productivity.

[FR Doc. 06-4179 Filed 4-28-06; 5:05 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P