[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 86 (Tuesday, May 5, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 25611-25625]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-10421]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 660

[Docket No. 150316270-5270-01]
RIN 0648-XD843


Fisheries Off West Coast States; West Coast Salmon Fisheries; 
2015 Management Measures

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

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: Through this final rule NMFS establishes fishery management 
measures for the 2015 ocean salmon fisheries off Washington, Oregon, 
and California and the 2016 salmon seasons opening earlier than May 1, 
2016. 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 inside 
fisheries (fisheries occurring in state internal waters). This document 
also announces the availability of an environmental assessment (EA) 
that analyzes the environmental impacts of implementing the 2015 ocean 
salmon management measures.

DATES: This final rule is effective from 0001 hours Pacific Daylight 
Time, May 1, 2015, until the effective date of the 2016 management 
measures, as published in the Federal Register.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the documents cited in this document are available 
from Dr. Donald O. McIsaac, Executive Director, Pacific Fishery 
Management Council, 7700 NE Ambassador Place, Suite 101, Portland, OR 
97220-1384, and are posted on the Pacific Fishery Management Council's 
(Council's) Web site (www.pcouncil.org).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Peggy Mundy at 206-526-4323, or Heidi 
Taylor at 562-980-4039.

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 Pacific Coast Salmon Fishery Management Plan (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.
    The management measures for the 2015 and pre-May 2016 ocean salmon 
fisheries that are implemented in this final rule were recommended by 
the Council at its April 10 to 16, 2015, meeting.

Process Used To Establish 2015 Management Measures

    The Council announced its annual preseason management process for 
the 2015 ocean salmon fisheries in the Federal Register on December 31, 
2014 (79 FR 78805), and on the Council's Web site at 
(www.pcouncil.org). NMFS published an additional notice of 
opportunities to submit public comments on the 2015 ocean salmon 
fisheries in the Federal Register on January 28, 2015 (80 FR 4547). 
These notices announced the availability of Council documents, 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, and instructions on how to comment on 2015 ocean salmon 
fisheries. The agendas for the March and April Council meetings were 
published in the Federal Register (80 FR 8628, February 18, 2015 and 80 
FR 15752, March 25, 2015, respectively) and posted on the Council's Web 
site prior to the actual meetings.
    In accordance with the Salmon FMP, the Council's Salmon Technical 
Team (STT) and staff economist prepared four reports for the Council, 
its advisors, and the public. All four reports were posted on the 
Council's Web site and otherwise made available to the Council, its

[[Page 25612]]

advisors, and the public upon their completion. The first of the 
reports, ``Review of 2014 Ocean Salmon Fisheries,'' was prepared in 
February when the scientific information necessary for crafting 
management measures for the 2015 and pre-May 2016 ocean salmon 
fisheries first became available. The first report summarizes 
biological and socio-economic data for the 2014 ocean salmon fisheries 
and assesses how well the Council's 2014 management objectives were 
met. The second report, ``Preseason Report I Stock Abundance Analysis 
and Environmental Assessment Part 1 for 2015 Ocean Salmon Fishery 
Regulations'' (PRE I), provides the 2015 salmon stock abundance 
projections and analyzes the impacts on the stocks and Council 
management goals if the 2014 regulations and regulatory procedures were 
applied to the projected 2015 stock abundances. The completion of PRE I 
is the initial step in evaluating the full suite of preseason 
alternatives.
    Following completion of the first two reports, the Council met in 
Vancouver, WA from March 6 to 12, 2015, to develop 2015 management 
alternatives for proposal to the public. The Council proposed three 
alternatives for commercial and recreational fisheries management for 
analysis and public comment. These alternatives 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 Proposed 
Alternatives and Environmental Assessment Part 2 for 2015 Ocean Salmon 
Fishery Regulations'' (PRE II), which analyzes the effects of the 
proposed 2015 management alternatives.
    Public hearings, sponsored by the Council, to receive testimony on 
the proposed alternatives were held on March 30, 2015, in Westport, WA 
and Coos Bay, OR; and on March 31, 2015, in Fort Bragg, 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 10 to 16, 2015, in Rohnert Park, CA to 
adopt its final 2015 salmon management 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 2015 Ocean Salmon Fisheries'' (PRE III), which 
analyzes the environmental and socio-economic effects of the Council's 
final recommendations. After the Council took final action on the 
annual ocean salmon specifications in April, it transmitted the 
recommended management measures to NMFS, published them in its 
newsletter, and also posted them on the Council Web site 
(www.pcouncil.org).

National Environmental Policy Act

    The Council's documents described above (PRE I, PRE II, and PRE 
III) collectively comprise the EA for this action, providing analysis 
of environmental and socioeconomic effects under the National 
Environmental Policy Act. The EA and its related Finding of No 
Significant Impact are posted on the NMFS West Coast Region Web site 
(www.westcoast.fisheries.noaa.gov).

Resource Status

Stocks of Concern

    The need to meet Endangered Species Act (ESA) consultation 
requirements and obligations of the Pacific Salmon Treaty (PST) between 
the U.S. and Canada for several stocks will shape salmon fisheries in 
2015, and four stocks will constrain fishing in 2015.
    Fisheries south of Cape Falcon, OR are limited in 2015 primarily by 
the status of ESA-listed Sacramento River winter Chinook salmon (SRWC) 
and California Coastal Chinook salmon (CCC). Fisheries north of Cape 
Falcon are limited primarily by the status of ESA-listed Lower Columbia 
River (LCR) Chinook salmon, and Puget Sound Chinook salmon, and by 
Queets River coho, which are not ESA-listed. Also limiting on fisheries 
north of Cape Falcon are Thompson River coho from Canada, which are 
managed according to the PST. Not limiting in 2015, but worth 
mentioning is ESA-listed Lower Columbia River natural coho (LCR coho) 
for which NMFS issued a new biological opinion in 2015. At the start of 
the preseason planning process for the 2015 management season, NMFS 
provided a letter to the Council, dated March 3, 2015, summarizing 
limits to impacts on ESA-listed species for 2015, based on existing 
biological opinions and 2015 abundance information, as required by the 
Salmon FMP. The limitations imposed in order to protect these stocks 
are described below. The alternatives and the Council's recommended 
management measures for 2015 were designed to avoid exceeding these 
limitations.
    Sacramento River winter Chinook salmon (SRWC): In 2010, NMFS 
consulted under ESA section 7 and provided guidance to the Council 
regarding the effects of Council area fisheries on SRWC, ESA-listed as 
endangered. NMFS completed a biological opinion that includes a 
reasonable and prudent alternative (RPA) to avoid jeopardizing the 
continued existence of this evolutionarily significant unit (ESU). The 
RPA included management-area-specific fishing season openings and 
closures, and minimum size limits for both commercial and recreational 
fisheries. It also directed NMFS to develop a second component to the 
RPA--an abundance-based management (ABM) framework. In 2012, NMFS 
implemented this ABM framework which supplements the above management 
restrictions with maximum allowable impact rates that apply when 
abundance is low, based on the three-year geometric mean spawning 
escapement of SRWC. Using the methodology specified in the ABM 
framework, the age-3 impact rate on SRWC in 2015 fisheries south of 
Point Arena recommended by NMFS would be limited to a maximum of 19.0 
percent. Conservation measures for SRWC will constrain 2015 salmon 
fisheries south of Cape Falcon.
    California Coastal Chinook salmon (CCC): NMFS last consulted under 
ESA section 7 regarding the effects of Council area fisheries on CCC in 
2005. Klamath River fall Chinook (KRFC) are used as a surrogate to set 
limits on ocean harvest impacts on CCC. The biological opinion requires 
that management measures result in a KRFC age-4 ocean harvest rate of 
no greater than 16 percent. Conservation measures for CCC will 
constrain 2015 salmon fisheries south of Cape Falcon.
    Lower Columbia River Chinook salmon (LCR Chinook): In 2012, NMFS 
consulted under ESA section 7 and issued a biological opinion that 
applies to fisheries beginning in 2012, concluding that the proposed 
fisheries, if managed consistent with the terms of the biological 
opinion, are not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of LCR 
Chinook salmon. The LCR Chinook salmon ESU is comprised of a spring 
component, a ``far-north'' migrating bright component, and a component 
of north migrating tules. The bright and tule components both have fall 
run timing. There are twenty-one separate populations within the tule 
component of this ESU. Unlike the spring or bright

[[Page 25613]]

populations of the ESU, LCR tule populations are caught in large 
numbers in Council fisheries, as well as fisheries to the north and in 
the Columbia River. Therefore, this component of the ESU is the one 
most likely to constrain Council fisheries in the area north of Cape 
Falcon, Oregon. Under the 2012 biological opinion, NMFS uses an ABM 
framework to set annual exploitation rates for LCR tule Chinook salmon 
below Bonneville Dam. Applying the ABM framework to the 2015 preseason 
abundance forecast, the LCR tule exploitation rate is limited to a 
maximum of 41 percent. In 2015, LCR Chinook will not constrain salmon 
fisheries.
    Lower Columbia River natural coho (LCR coho): In 2015, NMFS 
conducted an ESA section 7 consultation and issued a biological opinion 
regarding the effects of Council fisheries and fisheries in the 
Columbia River on LCR coho. The opinion analyzed the use of a harvest 
matrix to manage impacts to LCR coho. Under the matrix the allowable 
harvest in a given year depends on indicators of marine survival and 
parental escapement to spawning. In 2015, the marine survival indicator 
is in the ``high'' category, while parental escapement is in the 
``normal'' category. Under these circumstances, ocean salmon fisheries 
under the Council's jurisdiction in 2015, and commercial and 
recreational salmon fisheries in the mainstem Columbia River below 
Bonneville Dam, including select area fisheries (e.g., Youngs Bay), 
must be managed subject to a total exploitation rate limit on LCR coho 
not to exceed 23 percent. In 2015, LCR coho will not constrain salmon 
fisheries.
    Thompson River coho: Interior Fraser (Thompson River) coho, a 
Canadian stock, continues to be depressed, remaining in the ``low'' 
status category under the PST; under these circumstances, the PST and 
Salmon FMP require a maximum 10.0 percent total U.S. exploitation rate 
on this stock. Meeting PST and Salmon FMP conservation requirements for 
Thompson River coho will constrain 2015 salmon fisheries north of Cape 
Falcon.
    Puget Sound Chinook salmon: Impacts on threatened Puget Sound 
Chinook from Council-managed fisheries are addressed through a 2004 
biological opinion. Generally, these impacts are quite low and well 
within the range contemplated in the 2004 opinion. However, because 
Puget Sound Chinook are also impacted by fisheries in Puget Sound and 
associated freshwater fisheries (collectively referred to as ``inside'' 
fisheries), the Council and NMFS consider the impacts of Council-area 
and inside fisheries on Puget Sound Chinook together. The State of 
Washington and Indian tribes with treaty rights to fish for salmon in 
Puget Sound have previously agreed on conservation objectives for each 
stock of salmon included in the Puget Sound Chinook ESU, and NMFS has 
determined in biological opinions covering Puget Sound fisheries in 
recent years that fisheries with impacts that do not exceed these 
conservation objectives are not likely to jeopardize the continued 
existence of the ESU. For purposes of determining whether the 
requirements of the ESA are met for Puget Sound Chinook, the Council 
and NMFS consider whether the proposed Council-area fisheries, taken 
together with Puget Sound and freshwater fisheries, will result in 
exceeding the conservation objectives for each stock within the ESU. 
The conservation objectives are described in NMFS' March 3, 2015 letter 
to the Council outlining the ESA requirements for 2015. In 2015, Puget 
Sound Chinook salmon will constrain salmon fisheries north of Cape 
Falcon, to provide sufficient escapement to support inside fisheries.
    Queets River coho: Queets River coho are not ESA-listed, but are 
important to in-river tribal fisheries on the Washington coast. Queets 
River coho are forecast to be less abundant in 2015 than in 2014. In 
2015, Queets River coho will constrain salmon fisheries north of Cape 
Falcon, to provide sufficient escapement to support in-river tribal 
fisheries.

Annual Catch Limits and Status Determination Criteria

    Annual Catch Limits (ACLs) are set for two Chinook salmon stocks, 
Sacramento River fall Chinook (SRFC) and KRFC, and one coho stock, 
Willapa Bay natural coho. The Chinook salmon stocks are indicator 
stocks for the Central Valley Fall Chinook complex and the Southern 
Oregon/Northern California Chinook complex, respectively. The Far North 
Migrating Coastal Chinook complex includes a group of Chinook salmon 
stocks that are caught primarily in fisheries north of Cape Falcon, 
Oregon and other fisheries that occur north of the U.S./Canada Border. 
No ACL is set for these stocks because they are managed according to 
the PST with Canada. Other Chinook salmon stocks caught in fisheries 
north of Cape Falcon are ESA-listed or hatchery produced, and are 
managed consistent with ESA consultations or hatchery goals. Willapa 
Bay natural coho is the only coho stock for which an ACL is set, as the 
other coho stocks in the FMP are either ESA-listed, hatchery produced, 
or managed under the PST.
    ACLs for salmon stocks are escapement-based, which means they 
establish a number of adults that must escape the fisheries to return 
to the spawning grounds. ACLs are set based on the annual abundance 
projection and a fishing rate reduced to account for scientific 
uncertainty. The abundance forecasts for 2015 are described in more 
detail below in the ``Management Measures for 2015 Fisheries'' section 
of this final rule. For SRFC in 2015, the overfishing limit (OFL) is 
SOFL = 651,985 (projected abundance) multiplied by 1-
FMSY (1-0.78) or 143,437 returning spawners. SABC 
is 651,985 multiplied by 1-FABC (1-0.70) (FMSY 
reduced for scientific uncertainty = 0.70) or 195,596. The 
SACL is set equal to SABC. For KRFC in 2015, 
SOFL is 99,102 (abundance projection) multiplied by 1-
FMSY (1-0.71), or 28,739 returning spawners. SABC 
is 99,102 multiplied by 1-FABC (1-0.68) (FMSY 
reduced for scientific uncertainty = 0.68) or 31,713 returning 
spawners. SACL is set equal to SABC. For Willapa 
Bay natural coho in 2015, the overfishing limit (OFL) is 
SOFL = 42,884 (projected abundance) multiplied by 1-
FMSY (1-0.74) or 11,150 returning spawners. SABC 
is 42,884 multiplied by 1-FABC (1-0.71) (FMSY 
reduced for scientific uncertainty = 0.71) or 12,436. SACL 
is set equal to SABC.
    As explained in more detail above under ``Stocks of Concern,'' 
fisheries north and south of Cape Falcon, are constrained by impact 
limits necessary to protect ESA-listed salmon stocks including SRWC, 
CCC, and Puget Sound coho, as well as Queets River coho which is not 
ESA-listed, and Canadian Thompson River coho. For 2015, projected 
abundance of the three stocks with ACLs (SRFC, KRFC, and Willapa Bay 
natural coho), in combination with the constraints for ESA-listed and 
non-ESA-listed stocks, are expected to result in escapements greater 
than required to meet the ACLs for all three stocks with defined ACLs.

Public Comments

    The Council invited written comments on developing 2015 salmon 
management measures in their notice announcing public meetings and 
hearings (79 FR 78805, December 31, 2014). At its March meeting, the 
Council adopted three alternatives for 2015 salmon management measures 
having a range of quotas, season structure, and impacts, from the least 
restrictive in

[[Page 25614]]

Alternative I to the most restrictive in Alternative III. These 
alternatives are described in detail in Pre II. Subsequently, comments 
were taken at three public hearings held in March, staffed by 
representatives of the Council and NMFS. The Council received several 
written comments directly. The three public hearings were attended by a 
total of 94 people; 26 people provided oral comments. Comments came 
from individual fishers, fishing associations, fish buyers, and 
processors. Written and oral comments addressed the 2015 management 
alternatives described in PRE II, and generally expressed preferences 
for a specific alternative or for particular season structures. All 
comments were included in the Council's briefing book for their April 
2015 meeting and were considered by the Council, which includes a 
representative from NMFS, in developing the recommended management 
measures transmitted to NMFS on April 24, 2015. In addition to comments 
collected at the public hearings and those submitted directly to the 
Council, several people provided oral comments at the April 2015 
Council meeting. NMFS also invited comments to be submitted directly to 
the Council or to NMFS, via the Federal Rulemaking Portal 
(www.regulations.gov) in a proposed rule (80 FR 4547, January 28, 
2015). No comments were submitted via www.regulations.gov.
    Comments on alternatives for fisheries north of Cape Falcon. For 
fisheries north of Cape Falcon, Alternative I quota levels were favored 
by two commercial and two recreational fishery commenters at the public 
hearing in Westport, WA. Some commenters expressed concern about how 
weak stock management and Puget Sound fisheries impact ocean salmon 
fisheries.
    Comments on alternatives for fisheries south of Cape Falcon. Most 
comments received in writing, at public hearings, and in public 
comments at the April 2015 Council meeting addressed fisheries south of 
Cape Falcon and specifically measures proposed to protect SWRC in light 
of drought and unfavorable ocean conditions. Alternative III in 
particular included management measures, including closing some fall 
fisheries south of Cape Falcon, that would reduce the impacts on SWRC 
below the level required by the reasonable and prudent alternative in 
NMFS' biological opinion. Most comments early in the process opposed 
this alternative or expressed preference for other alternatives. 
Alternative I was supported by six commercial and seven recreational 
fishery commenters that attended public hearings. Eight commercial 
fishery commenters at the public hearings supported a modification of 
Alternative II that was proposed by fishermen's marketing association; 
one commenter opposed the proposal. Nine commenters at the public 
hearings opposed the closure of fall fisheries, particularly south of 
Point Arena to protect SRWC, proposed in Alternative III, while three 
commenters from the commercial fishery sector expressed concern about 
the impact on September fisheries on future salmon production due to 
California's drought and warm ocean conditions. Of written comments, 
from fishing groups and individuals, most expressed concern over how 
fisheries management alternatives would address limiting fishery 
impacts to endangered SRWC, several stated that they did not support 
closing fall fisheries. Public comments at the April 2015 Council 
meeting also expressed concern over SRWC, but likely based on new 
information provided by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife 
(CDFW) on time and area vulnerability of SRWC to commercial and 
recreational fisheries, comments received at the meeting expressed 
support for constraining fall fisheries to limit impacts to SRWC. In 
particular, some commenters who had previously opposed Alternative III 
supported the management measures ultimately adopted by the Council in 
comments provided prior to or at the April Council meeting.
    Comments on incidental halibut retention in the commercial salmon 
fisheries. At its March meeting, the Council identified three 
alternatives for landing limits for incidentally caught halibut that 
are retained in the salmon troll fishery. Alternative I was favored by 
one commenter north of Cape Falcon and one commenter south of Cape 
Falcon.
    The Council, including the NMFS representative, took all of these 
comments into consideration. The Council's final recommendation 
generally includes aspects of all three alternatives, while taking into 
account the best available scientific information and ensuring that 
fisheries are consistent with ESA consultation standards, ACLs, PST 
obligations, and tribal fishing rights. These management tools assist 
the Council in meeting impact limits on weak stocks. The Council 
adopted alternative I for incidental halibut retention, this 
alternative is consistent with retention limits adopted for 2014 salmon 
fisheries and April 2015 salmon fisheries (79 FR 24580, May 1, 2014).

Management Measures for 2015 Fisheries

    The Council-recommended ocean harvest levels and management 
measures for the 2015 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, the requirements of the resource, and the socioeconomic factors 
affecting resource users. The recommendations are consistent with the 
requirements of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and 
Management Act, U.S. obligations to Indian tribes with federally 
recognized fishing rights, and U.S. international obligations regarding 
Pacific salmon. The Council's recommended management measures also 
comply with NMFS ESA consultation standards and guidance, for those 
listed salmon species that may be affected by Council fisheries. 
Accordingly, NMFS, through this final rule, approves and implements the 
Council's recommendations.
    North of Cape Falcon, the 2015 management measures for non-Indian 
commercial troll and recreational fisheries have increased quotas for 
Chinook salmon and decreased quotas for coho salmon, compared to 2014. 
This is due primarily to the fact that forecasts for Chinook stocks 
north of Cape Falcon are generally higher than in 2014, and forecasts 
for coho are generally lower. Conservation constraints on Chinook 
salmon are largely unchanged, including the exploitation rate limit for 
ESA-listed LCR tule Chinook, which remains at 41 percent in 2015. As 
noted previously, Puget Sound Chinook are somewhat constraining on the 
2015 fisheries in order to allow sufficient numbers of fish to reach 
inside fisheries. Impacts in Alaskan and Canadian fisheries on salmon 
stocks originating north of Cape Falcon are expected to increase 
slightly for coho in 2015 compared with 2014. However, there is 
uncertainty regarding impacts of northern fisheries on Chinook salmon, 
as the Pacific Salmon Commission's Chinook Technical Committee (CTC) 
did not reach consensus on adopting a new CTC Chinook model calibration 
that is used to provide impacts for northern fisheries to the Fishery 
Regulation Assessment Model (FRAM). To address this uncertainty, the 
Council relied on the CTC's preliminary calibration, as this is

[[Page 25615]]

currently the best available information regarding likely northern 
fishery impacts. This resulted in slightly lower impacts from northern 
fisheries than in 2014. With respect to coho, North of Cape Falcon 
fisheries are limited in 2015 by the need to protect coho salmon from 
the Thompson River in Canada. ESA consultation standards for threatened 
LCR coho and Oregon Coast natural coho also apply to these fisheries 
but these are not limiting in 2015. Washington coastal and Puget Sound 
Chinook generally migrate to the far north and are not greatly affected 
by ocean salmon harvests from Cape Falcon, OR, to the U.S.-Canada 
border. Nevertheless, ocean fisheries are structured, in combination 
with restricted fisheries inside Puget Sound, in order to meet ESA 
related conservation objectives for Puget Sound Chinook. Ocean 
fisheries are also structured to provide for in-river fisheries on 
Queets River coho. North of Cape Alava, WA, the Council recommended a 
provision prohibiting retention of chum salmon in the salmon fisheries 
during August and September to protect ESA listed Hood Canal summer 
chum. The Council has recommended such a prohibition since 2002 (67 FR 
30616, May 7, 2002).
    Recreational fisheries south of Cape Falcon will be directed 
primarily at Chinook salmon, with opportunity for coho limited to the 
area between Cape Falcon and the Oregon/California Border. The 
projected abundance of SRFC in 2015 is above the 2014 projection. Under 
the management measures in this final rule, and including anticipated 
in-river fishery impacts, spawning escapement for SRFC is projected at 
341,017, well above the SACL for this stock. Projected 
abundance for KRFC in 2015 is much lower than the very strong 
projections in 2012 and 2013, but higher than in 2014. Regardless, the 
commercial fishery that impacts KRFC will be constrained by the CCC 
consultation standard that limits the forecast KRFC age-4 ocean harvest 
rate to a maximum of 16 percent. Under the management measures in this 
final rule, and including anticipated in-river fishery impacts, 
spawning escapement for KRFC is projected at 40,700, again well above 
the SACL for the stock.
    As discussed above in ``Stocks of Concern,'' NMFS' 2012 RPA for 
SRWC, together with projected abundance for 2015, limits Council-area 
fishery impacts to SRWC to 19.0 percent. In deciding on the recommended 
management measures, the Council additionally considered information on 
the impacts of ongoing drought on California salmon stocks, 
particularly SRWC, including estimated freshwater mortality of 95 
percent of the 2014 SRWC brood year juveniles, information related to 
warm ocean conditions in 2015, information developed by CDFW on time 
and area vulnerability of SRWC to commercial and recreational 
fisheries, and public testimony on proposed season structure. Based on 
this information, the Council adopted management measures that limit 
age-3 impact rate on SRWC to 17.5 percent. In response to the 
information presented by CDFW on the time and area vulnerability of 
SRWC, the final management measures include specific limits on the 
fishing seasons south of Pigeon Point.
    The treaty-Indian commercial troll fishery quota for 2015 is 60,000 
Chinook salmon in ocean management areas and Washington State 
Statistical Area 4B combined. This quota is lower than the 62,500 
Chinook salmon quota in 2014, for the same reasons discussed above for 
the non-tribal fishery. The treaty-Indian commercial troll fisheries 
include a Chinook-directed fishery in May and June with a quota of 
30,000 Chinook salmon, and an all-salmon season beginning July 1 with a 
30,000 Chinook salmon 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 42,500 coho, 
lower than in 2014.
    The Council is recommending one new provisions for 2015 fisheries, 
based on the concurrence of its Enforcement Consultants. Previously, 
all salmon on board a vessel were required 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 
or has been closed less than 96 hours for that species of salmon. 
Further, salmon were permitted to be landed in an area that has been 
closed for a species of salmon 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. In 2015 the area closure 
requirements are reduced to from 96 to 48 hours.

Management Measures for 2016 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, this action also establishes 
the 2016 fishing seasons that open earlier than May 1. The Council 
recommended, and NMFS concurs, that the commercial season off Oregon 
from Cape Falcon to the Oregon/California border, the commercial season 
off California from Horse Mountain to Point Arena, the recreational 
season off Oregon from Cape Falcon to Humbug Mountain, and the 
recreational season off California from Horse Mountain to the U.S./
Mexico border will open in 2016 as indicated in the Season Description 
section of this document. At the March 2016 meeting, the Council may 
consider inseason recommendations to adjust the commercial and 
recreational seasons prior to May 1 in the areas off Oregon and 
California.
    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 2015 management measures. Inseason closures in the commercial and 
recreational fisheries are announced on the NMFS hotline and through 
the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) 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 2015 and, as specified, 
for 2016.

Section 1. Commercial Management Measures for 2015 Ocean Salmon 
Fisheries

    Parts A, B, and C of this section contain restrictions that must be 
followed for lawful participation in the fishery. Part A identifies 
each fishing area and provides the 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 40,200 Chinook, no more than 
9,000 of which may be caught in the area between the U.S./Canada border 
and the Queets River and no more than 15,000 may be caught in the area 
between Leadbetter Point and Cape Falcon. Seven days per week with a 
landing and possession limit of 60 Chinook per vessel per trip from the 
U.S./Canada

[[Page 25616]]

border to the Queets River (C.1). All salmon except coho (C.4, C.7). 
Chinook minimum size limit of 28 inches total length (B). Vessels in 
possession of salmon north of the Queets River may not cross the Queets 
River line without first notifying Washington Department of Fish and 
Wildlife (WDFW) at 360-902-2739 with area fished, total Chinook and 
halibut catch aboard, and destination. Vessels in possession of salmon 
south of the Queets River may not cross the Queets River line without 
first notifying WDFW at 360-902-2739 with area fished, total Chinook 
and halibut catch aboard, and destination. See compliance requirements 
and gear restrictions and definitions (C.2, C.3). When it is projected 
that 29,250 Chinook have been landed overall, or 6,750 Chinook have 
been landed in the area between the U.S./Canada border and the Queets 
River, or 11,250 Chinook have been landed in the area between 
Leadbetter Point and Cape Falcon, inseason action modifying the open 
period to five days per week and adding landing and possession limits 
will be considered to ensure the guideline is not exceeded. Cape 
Flattery, Mandatory Yelloweye Rockfish Conservation Area, and Columbia 
Control Zones closed (C.5). 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 or in possession of salmon while fishing north of 
Leadbetter Point must land and deliver their fish within the area and 
north of Leadbetter Point. Vessels fishing or in possession of salmon 
while 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, Oregon. Oregon 
State regulations require all fishers landing salmon into Oregon from 
any fishery between Leadbetter Point, Washington and Cape Falcon, 
Oregon must notify the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) 
within one hour of delivery or prior to transport away from the port of 
landing by either calling 541-867-0300 Ext. 271 or sending notification 
via email to [email protected]. 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 1 through earlier of September 22 or attainment of the quota 
of 26,800 Chinook, no more than 11,000 of which may be caught in the 
area between the U.S./Canada border and the Queets River, or 19,200 
marked coho (C.8.d). July 1 through 7, then Friday through Tuesday, 
July 10 through September 22 with a landing and possession limit of 50 
Chinook and 50 coho per vessel per open period (C.1). Vessels in 
possession of salmon north of the Queets River may not cross the Queets 
River line without first notifying WDFW at 360-902-2739 with area 
fished, total Chinook, coho, and halibut catch aboard, and destination. 
Vessels in possession of salmon south of the Queets River may not cross 
the Queets River line without first notifying WDFW at 360-902-2739 with 
area fished, total Chinook, coho, and halibut catch aboard, and 
destination. When it is projected that 19,500 Chinook have been landed 
overall, or 8,250 Chinook have been landed in the area between the U.S/
Canada border and the Queets River, inseason action modifying the open 
period to five days per week and adding landing and possession limits 
will be considered to ensure the guideline is not exceeded. No earlier 
than September 1, if at least 5,000 marked coho remain on the quota, 
inseason action may be considered to allow non-selective coho retention 
(C.8). All salmon, except no chum retention north of Cape Alava, 
Washington in August and September (C.7). Chinook minimum size limit of 
28 inches total length (B, C.1). All coho must be marked except as 
noted above (C.8.d). See compliance requirements (C.1) and gear 
restrictions and definitions (C.2, C.3). Mandatory Yelloweye Rockfish 
Conservation Area, Cape Flattery and Columbia Control Zones, and 
beginning August 9, Grays Harbor Control Zone closed (C.5). Vessels 
must land and deliver their fish within 24 hours of any closure of this 
fishery. Vessels fishing or in possession of salmon while fishing north 
of Leadbetter Point must land and deliver their fish within the area 
and north of Leadbetter Point. Vessels fishing or in possession of 
salmon while 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, Oregon. 
Under state law, vessels must report their catch on a state fish 
receiving ticket. Oregon State regulations require all fishers landing 
salmon into Oregon from any fishery between Leadbetter Point, 
Washington and Cape Falcon, Oregon must notify ODFW within one hour of 
delivery or prior to transport away from the port of landing by either 
calling 541-867-0300 Ext. 271 or sending notification via email to 
[email protected]. 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 Humbug Mountain
    April 1 through August 27;
    September 2 through September 30 (C.9.a).
    Seven days per week. All salmon except coho (C.4, C.7). Chinook 
minimum size limit of 28 inches total length (B, C.1). 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.
    Beginning September 2, no more than 60 Chinook per vessel per 
landing week (Thursday through Wednesday).
    In 2016, the season will open March 15, all salmon except coho. 
Chinook minimum size limit of 28 inches total length. Gear restrictions 
same as in 2015. This opening could be modified following Council 
review at its March 2016 meeting
--Humbug Mountain to Oregon/California Border (Oregon KMZ)
    April 1 through May 31;
    June 1 through earlier of June 30, or a 1,800 Chinook quota;
    July 1 through earlier of July 31, or a 1,000 Chinook quota;
    August 1 through earlier of August 27, or a 500 Chinook quota 
(C.9.a).
    Seven days per week. All salmon except coho (C.4, C.7). Chinook 
minimum size limit of 28 inches total length (B, C.1). Prior to June 1, 
all fish caught in this area must be landed and delivered in the State 
of Oregon. June 1 through August 27, single daily landing and 
possession limit of 30 Chinook per vessel per day (C.8.f). Any 
remaining portion of the June and/or July Chinook quotas may be 
transferred inseason on an impact neutral basis to the next open quota 
period. All vessels fishing in this area must land and deliver all fish 
within this area or Port Orford, within 24 hours of any closure of this 
fishery, and prior to fishing outside of this area. Oregon State 
regulations require fishers landing salmon from any quota managed 
season within this area to notify ODFW within one hour of

[[Page 25617]]

delivery or prior to transport away from the port of landing by either 
calling 541-867-0300 Ext. 252 or sending notification via email to 
[email protected]. Notification shall include vessel name 
and number, number of salmon by species, port of landing and location 
of delivery, and estimated time of delivery. See compliance 
requirements (C.1) and gear restrictions and definitions (C.2, C.3).
    In 2016, the season will open March 15 for all salmon except coho, 
with a 28 inch Chinook minimum size limit. This opening could be 
modified following Council review at its March 2016 meeting.
--Oregon/California Border to Humboldt South Jetty (California KMZ)
    September 11 through earlier of September 30, or 3,000 Chinook 
quota (C.9.b). Five days per week, Friday through Tuesday. All salmon 
except coho (C.4, C.7). Chinook minimum size limit of 28 inches total 
length (B, C.1). Landing and possession limit of 20 Chinook per vessel 
per day (C.8.f). All fish caught in this area must be landed within the 
area and within 24 hours of any closure of the fishery and prior to 
fishing outside the area (C.10). See compliance requirements (C.1) and 
gear restrictions and definitions (C.2, C.3). Klamath Control Zone 
closed (C.5.e). See California State regulations for additional 
closures adjacent to the Smith and Klamath Rivers. When the fishery is 
closed between the Oregon/California border and Humbug Mountain and 
open to the south, vessels with fish on board caught in the open area 
off California may seek temporary mooring in Brookings, Oregon prior to 
landing in California only if such vessels first notify the Chetco 
River Coast Guard Station via VHF channel 22A between the hours of 0500 
and 2200 and provide the vessel name, number of fish on board, and 
estimated time of arrival (C.6).
--Humboldt South Jetty to Horse Mountain
    Closed.
--Horse Mountain to Point Arena (Fort Bragg)
    May 1 through 31;
    June 15 through 30;
    July 12 through 31;
    August 1 through 26;
    September 1 through 30 (C.9.b).
    Seven days per week. All salmon except coho (C.4, C.7). Chinook 
minimum size limit of 27 inches total length (B, C.1). All fish must be 
landed in California. All salmon caught in California prior to 
September 1 must be landed and offloaded no later than 11:59 p.m., 
August 30 (C.6). When the California KMZ fishery is open, all fish 
caught in the area must be landed south of Horse Mountain (C.6). During 
September, all fish must be landed north of Point Arena (C.6). See 
compliance requirements (C.1) and gear restrictions and definitions 
(C.2, C.3).
    In 2016, the season will open April 16 through 30 for all salmon 
except coho, with a 27-inch Chinook minimum size limit and the same 
gear restrictions as in 2015. All fish caught in the area must be 
landed in the area. This opening could be modified following Council 
review at its March 2016 meeting.
--Point Arena to Pigeon Point (San Francisco)
    May 1 through 31;
    June 7 through 30;
    July 8 through 31;
    August 1 through 29;
    September 1 through 30 (C.9.b).
    Seven days per week. All salmon except coho (C.4, C.7). Chinook 
minimum size limit of 27 inches total length prior to September 1, 26 
inches thereafter (B, C.1). All fish must be landed in California. All 
salmon caught in California prior to September 1 must be landed and 
offloaded no later than 11:59 p.m., August 30 (C.6). During September, 
all fish must be landed south of Point Arena (C.6). See compliance 
requirements (C.1) and gear restrictions and definitions (C.2, C.3).

 Point Reyes to Point San Pedro (Fall Area Target Zone)
    October 1 through 2, 5 through 9, and 12 through 15.

    All salmon except coho (C.4, C.7). Chinook minimum size limit of 26 
inches total length (B, C.1). All fish caught in this area must be 
landed between Point Arena and Pigeon Point (C.6). See compliance 
requirements (C.1) and gear restrictions and definitions (C.2, C.3).
--Pigeon Point to Point Sur (Monterey North)
    May 1 through 31;
    June 7 through 30;
    July 8 through 31;
    August 1 through 15 (C.9.b).
    Seven days per week. All salmon except coho (C.4, C.7). Chinook 
minimum size limit of 27 inches total length (B, C.1). All fish must be 
landed in California. All salmon caught in California prior to 
September 1 must be landed and offloaded no later than 11:59 p.m., 
August 30 (C.6). See compliance requirements (C.1) and gear 
restrictions and definitions (C.2, C.3).
--Point Sur to U.S./Mexico Border (Monterey South)
    May 1 through 31;
    June 7 through 30;
    July 8 through 31 (C.9.b).
    Seven days per week. All salmon except coho (C.4, C.7). Chinook 
minimum size limit of 27 inches total length (B, C.1). All fish must be 
landed in California. All salmon caught in California prior to 
September 1 must be landed and offloaded no later than 11:59 p.m., 
August 30 (C.6). See compliance requirements (C.1) and gear 
restrictions and definitions (C.2, C.3).
    California State regulations require all salmon be made available 
to a CDFW representative for sampling immediately at port of landing. 
Any person in possession of a salmon with a missing adipose fin, upon 
request by an authorized agent or employee of the CDFW, shall 
immediately relinquish the head of the salmon to the state (California 
Fish and Game Code Sec.  8226).

B. Minimum Size (Inches) (See C.1)

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               Chinook                          Coho
         Area (when open)         ----------------------------------------------------------------      Pink
                                    Total length      Head-off      Total length      Head-off
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 Humboldt South               28.0            21.5              --              --  None.
 Jetty.
Horse Mountain to Point Arena....            27.0            20.5              --              --  None.
Point Arena to Pigeon Point
    Prior to August 30...........            27.0            20.5              --              --  None.
    September 1 to October 15....            26.0            19.5              --              --  None.

[[Page 25618]]

 
Pigeon Point to U.S./Mexico                  27.0            20.5              --              --  None.
 Border.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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. 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 or has 
been closed less than 48 hours for that species of salmon. Salmon may 
be landed in an area that has been closed for a species of salmon more 
than 48 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 not be filleted prior to landing.
    Any person who is required to report a salmon landing by applicable 
state law must include on the state landing receipt for that landing 
both the number and weight of salmon landed by species. States may 
require fish landing/receiving tickets be kept on board the vessel for 
90 days or more after landing to account for all previous salmon 
landings.
C.2. Gear Restrictions
    a. Salmon may be taken only by hook and line using single point, 
single shank, barbless hooks.
    b. Cape Falcon, Oregon, 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
    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.
    Troll fishing gear defined: One or more lines that drag hooks 
behind a moving fishing vessel. In that portion of the fishery 
management area 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.
    Spread defined: A single leader connected to an individual lure 
and/or bait.
    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. Vessel Operation in Closed Areas With Salmon on Board
    a. Except as provided under C.4.b below, it is unlawful for a 
vessel to have troll or recreational gear in the water while in 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 are in possession.
    b. When Genetic Stock Identification (GSI) samples will be 
collected in an area closed to commercial salmon fishing, the 
scientific research permit holder shall notify NOAA Office of Law 
Enforcement, USCG, CDFW, and Oregon State Patrol at least 24 hours 
prior to sampling and provide the following information: The vessel 
name, date, location, and time collection activities will be done. Any 
vessel collecting GSI samples in a closed area shall not possess any 
salmon other than those from which GSI samples are being collected. 
Salmon caught for collection of GSI samples must be immediately 
released in good condition after collection of samples.
C.5. Control Zone Definitions
    a. Cape Flattery Control Zone--The area from Cape Flattery 
(48[deg]23'00'' N. lat.) to the northern boundary of the U.S. EEZ; and 
the area from Cape Flattery south to Cape Alava (48[deg]10'00'' N. 
lat.) and east of 125[deg]05'00'' W. long.
    b. Mandatory Yelloweye Rockfish Conservation Area--The area in 
Washington Marine Catch Area 3 from 48[deg]00.00' N. lat.; 
125[deg]14.00' W. long. to 48[deg]02.00' N. lat.; 125[deg]14.00' W. 
long. to 48[deg]02.00' N. lat.; 125[deg]16.50' W. long. to 
48[deg]00.00' N. lat.; 125[deg]16.50' W. long. and connecting back to 
48[deg]00.00' N. lat.; 125[deg]14.00' W. long.
    c. Grays Harbor Control Zone--The area defined by a line drawn from 
the Westport Lighthouse (46[deg]53'18'' N. lat., 124[deg] 07'01'' W. 
long.) to Buoy #2 (46[deg]52'42'' N. lat., 124[deg]12'42'' W. long.) to 
Buoy #3 (46[deg]55'00'' N. lat., 124[deg]14'48'' W. long.) to the Grays 
Harbor north jetty (46[deg]55'36'' N. lat., 124[deg]10'51'' W. long.).
    d. 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]13'35'' N. lat., 124[deg]06'50'' W. long.) 
and the green lighted Buoy #7 (46[deg]15'09'' N. lat., 124[deg]06'16'' 
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]14'00'' N. lat., 
124[deg]03'07'' 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]15'48'' N. lat., 
124[deg]05'20'' 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]14'03'' N. lat., 124[deg]04'05'' W. long.), and 
then along the south jetty to the point of intersection with the Buoy 
#10 line.
    e. Klamath Control Zone--The ocean area at the Klamath River mouth 
bounded on the north by 41[deg]38'48'' N. lat. (approximately six 
nautical miles north of the Klamath River mouth); on the west, by 
124[deg]23'00'' W. long. (approximately 12 nautical miles off shore); 
and on the south, by 41[deg]26'48'' N. lat. (approximately six nautical 
miles 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 USCG 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, the estimated time of arrival, and the specific 
reason the vessel is not able to meet special management area landing 
restrictions.
    In addition to contacting the USCG, vessels fishing south of the 
Oregon/California border must notify CDFW within one hour of leaving 
the management area by calling 800-889-8346 and providing the same 
information as reported to the USCG.

[[Page 25619]]

All salmon must be offloaded within 24 hours of reaching port.
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 (81.28 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. When halibut are caught and landed incidental to commercial salmon 
fishing by an IPHC license holder, any person who is required to report 
the salmon landing by applicable state law must include on the state 
landing receipt for that landing both the number of halibut landed, and 
the total dressed, head-on weight of halibut landed, in pounds, as well 
as the number and species of salmon landed.
    License applications for incidental harvest must be obtained from 
the International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) (phone: 206-634-
1838). Applicants must apply prior to mid-March 2016 for 2016 permits 
(exact date to be set by the IPHC in early 2016). Incidental harvest is 
authorized only during April, May, and June of the 2015 troll seasons 
and after June 30 in 2015 if quota remains and if announced on the NMFS 
hotline (phone: 1-800-662-9825 or 206-526-6667). WDFW, ODFW, and CDFW 
will monitor landings. If the landings are projected to exceed the 
IPHC's 29,035 pound preseason allocation or the total Area 2A non-
Indian commercial halibut allocation, NMFS will take inseason action to 
prohibit retention of halibut in the non-Indian salmon troll fishery.
    May 1, 2015, through December 31, 2015, and April 1-30, 2016, 
license holders may land or possess no more than one Pacific halibut 
per each four Chinook, except one Pacific halibut may be possessed or 
landed without meeting the ratio requirement, and no more than 12 
halibut may be possessed or landed per trip. Pacific halibut retained 
must be no less than 32 inches in total length (with head on).
    Incidental Pacific halibut catch regulations in the commercial 
salmon troll fishery adopted for 2015, prior to any 2015 inseason 
action, will be in effect when incidental Pacific halibut retention 
opens on April 1, 2016, unless otherwise modified by inseason action at 
the March 2016 Council meeting.
    a. ``C-shaped'' yelloweye rockfish conservation area (YRCA) is an 
area to be voluntarily avoided for salmon trolling. NMFS and the 
Council request salmon trollers voluntarily avoid this area in order to 
protect yelloweye rockfish. The area is defined in Pacific Council 
Halibut Catch Sharing Plan in the North Coast subarea (Washington 
marine area 3), with the following coordinates in the order listed:

48[deg]18' N. lat.; 125[deg]18' W. long.;
48[deg]18' N. lat.; 124[deg]59' W. long.;
48[deg]11' N. lat.; 124[deg]59' W. long.;
48[deg]11' N. lat.; 125[deg]11' W. long.;
48[deg]04' N. lat.; 125[deg]11' W. long.;
48[deg]04' N. lat.; 124[deg]59' W. long.;
48[deg]00' N. lat.; 124[deg]59' W. long.;
48[deg]00' N. lat.; 125[deg]18' W. long.;
and connecting back to 48[deg]18' N. lat.; 125[deg]18' W. long.
C.8. Inseason Management
    In addition to standard inseason actions or modifications already 
noted under the season description, the following inseason guidance 
applies:
    a. Chinook remaining from the May through June non-Indian 
commercial troll harvest guideline north of Cape Falcon may be 
transferred to the July through September harvest guideline, if the 
transfer would not result in exceeding preseason impact expectations on 
any stocks.
    b. Chinook remaining from the June and/or July non-Indian 
commercial troll quotas in the Oregon KMZ may be transferred to the 
Chinook quota for the next open period if the transfer would not result 
in exceeding preseason impact expectations on any stocks.
    c. NMFS may transfer fish between the recreational and commercial 
fisheries north of Cape Falcon if there is agreement among the areas' 
representatives on the Salmon Advisory Subpanel (SAS), and if the 
transfer would not result in exceeding the preseason impact 
expectations on any stocks.
    d. At the March 2016 meeting, the Council will consider inseason 
recommendations for special regulations for any experimental fisheries 
(proposals must meet Council protocol and be received in November 
2015).
    e. If retention of unmarked coho is permitted by inseason action, 
the allowable coho quota will be adjusted to ensure preseason projected 
impacts on all stocks are not exceeded.
    f. Landing limits may be modified inseason to sustain season length 
and keep harvest within overall quotas.
C.9. State Waters Fisheries
    Consistent with Council management objectives:
    a. The State of Oregon may establish additional late-season 
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 Fish and Game Code, Section 
8232.5, the definition of the Klamath Management Zone (KMZ) for the 
ocean salmon season is the area from Humbug Mountain, Oregon, to Horse 
Mountain, California.

Section 2. Recreational Management Measures for 2015 Ocean Salmon 
Fisheries

    Parts A, B, and C of this section contain restrictions that must be 
followed for lawful participation in the fishery. Part A identifies 
each fishing area and provides the 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 Queets River
    May 15 through 16, May 22 through 23, and May 30 through June 12 or 
a coastwide marked Chinook quota of 10,000 (C.5).
    Seven days per week. All salmon except coho, two fish per day. All 
Chinook must be marked with a healed adipose fin clip (C.1). Chinook 
24-inch total length minimum size limit (B). See gear restrictions and 
definitions (C.2, C.3). 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).
--Queets River to Leadbetter Point
    May 30 through earlier of June 12 or a coastwide marked Chinook 
quota of 10,000 (C.5)
    Seven days per week. All salmon except coho, two fish per day. All 
Chinook must be marked with a healed adipose fin clip (C.1). Chinook 
24-inch total length minimum size limit (B). See gear restrictions and 
definitions (C.2, C.3). 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
    May 30 through earlier of June 12 or a coastwide marked Chinook 
quota of 10,000 (C.5).

[[Page 25620]]

    Seven days per week. All salmon except coho, two fish per day. All 
Chinook must be marked with a healed adipose fin clip (C.1). Chinook 
24-inch total length minimum size limit (B). See gear restrictions and 
definitions (C.2, C.3). 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).
--U.S./Canada Border to Cape Alava (Neah Bay)
    June 13 through earlier of September 30 or 14,850 marked coho 
subarea quota with a subarea guideline of 8,400 Chinook (C.5).
    Seven days per week. All salmon except no chum beginning August 1; 
two fish per day plus two additional pink. All coho must be marked with 
a healed adipose fin clip (C.1). Beginning August 1, Chinook non-
retention east of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line (C.4.a) during Council 
managed ocean fishery. See gear restrictions and definitions (C.2, 
C.3). Inseason management may be used to sustain season length and keep 
harvest within the overall Chinook and coho recreational TACs for north 
of Cape Falcon (C.5).
--Cape Alava to Queets River (La Push Subarea)
    June 13 through earlier of September 30 or 3,610 marked coho 
subarea quota with a subarea guideline of 2,600 Chinook (C.5).
    October 1 through earlier of October 11 or 100 marked coho quota or 
100 Chinook quota (C.5) in the area north of 47[deg]50'00'' N. lat. and 
south of 48[deg]00'00'' N. lat.
    Seven days per week. All salmon, two fish per day plus two 
additional pink. All coho must be marked with a healed adipose fin clip 
(C.1). See gear restrictions and definitions (C.2, C.3). Inseason 
management may be used to sustain season length and keep harvest within 
the overall Chinook and coho recreational TACs for north of Cape Falcon 
(C.5).
--Queets River to Leadbetter Point (Westport Subarea)
    June 13 through earlier of September 30 or 52,840 marked coho 
subarea quota with a subarea guideline of 27,900 Chinook (C.5).
    Seven days per week. All salmon; two fish per day, no more than one 
of which can be a Chinook. All coho must be marked with a healed 
adipose fin clip (C.1). See gear restrictions and definitions (C.2, 
C.3). Grays Harbor Control Zone closed beginning August 11 (C.4.b). 
Inseason management may be used to sustain season length and keep 
harvest within the overall Chinook and coho recreational TACs for north 
of Cape Falcon (C.5).
--Leadbetter Point to Cape Falcon (Columbia River Subarea)
    June 13 through earlier of September 30 or 79,400 marked coho 
subarea quota with a subarea guideline of 15,000 Chinook (C.5).
    Seven days per week. All salmon; two fish per day, no more than one 
of which can be a Chinook. All coho must be marked with a healed 
adipose fin clip (C.1). See gear restrictions and definitions (C.2, 
C.3). Columbia Control Zone closed (C.4.c). Inseason management may be 
used to sustain season length and keep harvest within the overall 
Chinook and coho recreational TACs for north of Cape Falcon (C.5).
South of Cape Falcon, OR
--Cape Falcon to Humbug Mountain
    March 15 through October 31 (C.6), except as provided below during 
the all-salmon mark-selective and September non-mark-selective coho 
fisheries.
    Seven days per week. All salmon except coho; two fish per day 
(C.1). Chinook minimum size limit of 24 inches total length (B). See 
gear restrictions and definitions (C.2, C.3).
     Non-mark-selective coho fishery: September 4 through the 
earlier of September 30 or a landed catch of 12,500 non-mark-selective 
coho quota (C.5).
    Seven days per week. All salmon, two fish per day (C.5).
    The all salmon except coho season reopens the earlier of October 1 
or attainment of the coho quota (C.5).
    In 2016, the season between Cape Falcon and Humbug Mountain will 
open March 15 for all salmon except coho, two fish per day (B, C.1, 
C.2, C.3).
    Fishing in the Stonewall Bank yelloweye rockfish conservation area 
restricted to trolling only on days the all depth recreational halibut 
fishery is open (call the halibut fishing hotline 1-800-662-9825 or 
206-526-6667 for specific dates) (C.3.b, C.4.d).
--Cape Falcon to Oregon/California Border
    All-salmon mark-selective coho fishery: June 27 through earlier of 
August 9 or a landed catch of 55,000 marked coho.
    Seven days per week. All salmon, two fish per day. All retained 
coho must be marked with a healed adipose fin clip (C.1). Chinook 
minimum size limit of 24 inches total length (B). See gear restrictions 
and definitions (C.2, C.3). Any remainder of the mark-selective coho 
quota will be transferred on an impact neutral basis to the September 
non-selective coho quota from Cape Falcon to Humbug Mountain (C.5). The 
all salmon except coho season reopens the earlier of August 10 or 
attainment of the coho quota.
    Fishing in the Stonewall Bank yelloweye rockfish conservation area 
restricted to trolling only on days the all depth recreational halibut 
fishery is open (call the halibut fishing hotline 1-800-662-9825 or 
206-526-6667 for specific dates) (C.3.b, C.4.d).
--Humbug Mountain to Oregon/California Border (Oregon KMZ)
    May 1 through September 7 (C.6).
    Seven days per week. All salmon except coho, except as noted above 
in the all-salmon mark-selective coho fishery; two fish per day (C.1). 
Chinook minimum size limit of 24 inches total length (B). See gear 
restrictions and definitions (C.2, C.3).
--Oregon/California Border to Horse Mountain (California KMZ)
    May 1 through September 7 (C.6).
    Seven days per week. All salmon except coho, two fish per day 
(C.1). Chinook minimum size limit of 20 inches total length (B). See 
gear restrictions and definitions (C.2, C.3). Klamath Control Zone 
closed in August (C.4.e). See California State regulations for 
additional closures adjacent to the Smith, Eel, and Klamath Rivers.
--Horse Mountain to Point Arena (Fort Bragg)
    April 4 through November 8 (C.6).
    Seven days per week. All salmon except coho, two fish per day 
(C.1). Chinook minimum size limit of 20 inches total length (B). See 
gear restrictions and definitions (C.2, C.3).
    In 2016, season opens April 2 for all salmon except coho, two fish 
per day (C.1). Chinook minimum size limit of 20 inches total length 
(B); and the same gear restrictions as in 2015 (C.2, C.3).
--Point Arena to Pigeon Point (San Francisco)
    April 4 through October 31 (C.6).
    Seven days per week. All salmon except coho, two fish per day 
(C.1). Chinook minimum size limit of 24 inches total length through 
April 30, 20 inches thereafter (B). See gear restrictions and 
definitions (C.2, C.3).
    In 2016, season opens April 2 for all salmon except coho, two fish 
per day (C.1). Chinook minimum size limit of 24 inches total length 
(B); and the same gear restrictions as in 2015 (C.2, C.3).

[[Page 25621]]

--Pigeon Point to Point Sur (Monterey North)
    April 4 through September 7 (C.6).
    Seven days per week. All salmon except coho, two fish per day 
(C.1). Chinook minimum size limit of 24 inches total length through May 
31, 20 inches thereafter (B). See gear restrictions and definitions 
(C.2, C.3).
    In 2016, season opens April 2 for all salmon except coho, two fish 
per day (C.1). Chinook minimum size limit of 24 inches total length 
(B); and the same gear restrictions as in 2015 (C.2, C.3).
--Point Sur to U.S./Mexico Border (Monterey South)
    April 4 through July 19 (C.6).
    Seven days per week. All salmon except coho, two fish per day 
(C.1). Chinook minimum size limit of 24 inches total length through May 
31, 20 inches thereafter (B). See gear restrictions and definitions 
(C.2, C.3).
    In 2016, season opens April 2 for all salmon except coho, two fish 
per day (C.1). Chinook minimum size limit of 24 inches total length 
(B); and the same gear restrictions as in 2015 (C.2, C.3).
    California State regulations require all salmon be made available 
to a CDFW representative for sampling immediately at port of landing. 
Any person in possession of a salmon with a missing adipose fin, upon 
request by an authorized agent or employee of the CDFW, shall 
immediately relinquish the head of the salmon to the state (California 
Code of Regulations Title 14 Section 1.73).

B. Minimum Size (Total Length in Inches) (See C.1)

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Area (when open)                     Chinook          Coho                     Pink
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
North of Cape Falcon...........................            24.0            16.0  None.
Cape Falcon to Humbug Mountain.................            24.0            16.0  None.
Humbug Mt. to OR/CA Border.....................            24.0            16.0  None.
OR/CA Border to Horse Mountain.................            20.0  ..............  20.0.
Horse Mountain to Point Arena..................            20.0  ..............  20.0.
Point Arena to Pigeon Point:
    Through April 30...........................            24.0  ..............  24.0.
    After April 30.............................            20.0  ..............  20.0.
Pigeon Point to U.S./Mexico Border:
    Through May 31.............................            24.0  ..............  24.0.
    After May 31...............................            20.0  ..............  20.0.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Metric equivalents: 24.0 in=61.0 cm, 20.0 in=50.8 cm, and 16.0in=40.6 cm.

C. 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. Salmon may not be 
filleted prior to landing.
    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 Chinook and coho salmon for all 
licensed and juvenile anglers aboard have been attained (additional 
state restrictions may apply).
C.2. Gear Restrictions
    Salmon may be taken only by hook and line using barbless hooks. 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, California: No more than 
one rod may be used per angler; and no more than two single point, 
single shank barbless hooks are required for all fishing gear. [Note: 
ODFW regulations in the state-water fishery off Tillamook Bay may allow 
the use of barbed hooks to be consistent with inside regulations.]
    b. Horse Mountain, California, to Point Conception, California: 
Single point, single shank, barbless circle hooks (see gear definitions 
below) are required when fishing with bait by any means other than 
trolling, and no more than two such hooks shall be used. When angling 
with two hooks, the distance between the hooks must not exceed five 
inches 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: Off Oregon and Washington, 
angling tackle consists of a single line that 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. 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.
    c. 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. Control Zone Definitions
    a. The Bonilla-Tatoosh Line--A line running from the western end of 
Cape Flattery to Tatoosh Island Lighthouse (48[deg]23'30'' N. lat., 
124[deg]44'12'' W. long.) to the buoy adjacent to Duntze Rock 
(48[deg]24'37'' N. lat., 124[deg]44'37'' W. long.), then in a straight 
line to Bonilla Point (48[deg]35'39'' N. lat., 124[deg]42'58'' W. 
long.) on Vancouver Island, British Columbia.
    b. Grays Harbor Control Zone--The area defined by a line drawn from 
the Westport Lighthouse (46[deg]53'18'' N. lat., 124[deg]07'01'' W. 
long.) to Buoy #2 (46[deg]52'42'' N. lat., 124[deg]12'42'' W. long.) to 
Buoy #3 (46[deg]55'00'' N. lat., 124[deg]14'48'' W. long.) to the Grays 
Harbor north jetty (46[deg]55'36'' N. lat., 124[deg]10'51'' W. long.).
    c. 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

[[Page 25622]]

#4 (46[deg]13'35'' N. lat., 124[deg]06'50'' W. long.) and the green 
lighted Buoy #7 (46[deg]15'09'' N. lat., 124[deg]06'16'' 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]14'00'' N. lat., 124[deg]03'07'' 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]15'48'' N. lat., 124[deg]05'20'' 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]14'03'' N. lat., 124[deg]04'05'' W. long.), and then along the 
south jetty to the point of intersection with the Buoy #10 line.
    d. Stonewall Bank yelloweye rockfish 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.

    e. Klamath Control Zone--The ocean area at the Klamath River mouth 
bounded on the north by 41[deg]38''48'' N. lat. (approximately six 
nautical miles north of the Klamath River mouth); on the west, by 
124[deg]23'00'' W. long. (approximately 12 nautical miles off shore); 
and, on the south, by 41[deg]26'48'' N. lat. (approximately 6 nautical 
miles south of the Klamath River mouth).
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 applies:
    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 to help meet the recreational season duration 
objectives (for each subarea) after conferring with representatives of 
the affected ports and the Council's SAS recreational representatives 
north of Cape Falcon, and if the transfer would not result in exceeding 
preseason impact expectations on any stocks.
    c. Chinook and coho may be transferred between the recreational and 
commercial fisheries north of Cape Falcon if there is agreement among 
the representatives of the SAS, and if the transfer would not result in 
exceeding preseason impact expectations on any stocks.
    d. Fishery managers may consider inseason action modifying 
regulations restricting retention of unmarked coho. To remain 
consistent with preseason expectations, any inseason action shall 
consider, if significant, the difference between observed and preseason 
forecasted mark rates. Such a consideration may also include a change 
in bag limit of two salmon, no more than one of which may be a coho.
    e. Marked coho remaining from the Cape Falcon to Oregon/California 
border recreational mark-selective coho quota may be transferred 
inseason to the Cape Falcon to Humbug Mountain non-mark-selective 
recreational fishery if the transfer would not result in exceeding 
preseason impact expectations on any stocks.
C.6. Additional Seasons in State Territorial Waters
    Consistent with Council management objectives, the States of 
Washington, Oregon, and California may establish limited seasons in 
state waters. Check state regulations for details.

Section 3. Treaty Indian Management Measures for 2015 Ocean Salmon 
Fisheries

    Parts A, B, and C of this section contain requirements that must be 
followed for lawful participation in the fishery.

A. Season Descriptions

    May 1 through the earlier of June 30 or 30,000 Chinook quota. All 
salmon except coho. If the Chinook quota is exceeded, the excess will 
be deducted from the later all-salmon season (C.5). See size limit (B) 
and other restrictions (C).
    July 1 through the earlier of September 15, or 30,000 preseason 
Chinook quota (C.5), or 42,599 coho quota. All salmon. See size limit 
(B) and other restrictions (C).

B. Minimum Size (Inches)

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            Chinook                            Coho
       Area (when open)       --------------------------------------------------------------------      Pink
                                    Total           Head-off          Total           Head-off
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
North of Cape Falcon.........            24.0             18.0             16.0             12.0   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. 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.
    S'KLALLAM--Washington State Statistical Area 4B (All).
    MAKAH--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.
    QUILEUTE--That portion of the FMA between 48[deg]07'36'' N. lat. 
(Sand Point) and 47[deg]31'42'' N. lat. (Queets River) and east of 
125[deg]44'00'' W. long.
    HOH--That portion of the FMA between 47[deg]54'18'' N. lat. 
(Quillayute River) and 47[deg]21'00'' N. lat. (Quinault River) and east 
of 125[deg]44'00'' 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 eight fixed lines per boat.
    c. No more than four hand held lines per person in the Makah area 
fishery (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 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 through 2014. Fish taken

[[Page 25623]]

during this fishery are to be counted against treaty troll quotas 
established for the 2015 season (estimated harvest during the October 
ceremonial and subsistence fishery: 20 Chinook; 40 coho).
C.4. Area Closures
    a. The area within a six nautical mile radius of the mouths of the 
Queets River (47[deg]31'42'' N. lat.) and the Hoh River (47[deg]45'12'' 
N. lat.) will be closed to commercial fishing.
    b. A closure within two nautical miles of the mouth of the Quinault 
River (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.
C.5. Inseason Management
    In addition to standard inseason actions or modifications already 
noted under the season description, the following inseason guidance 
applies:
    a. Chinook remaining from the May through June treaty-Indian ocean 
troll harvest guideline north of Cape Falcon may be transferred to the 
July through September harvest guideline on a fishery impact equivalent 
basis.

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 17, 2015, NMFS published 
a final rule (80 FR 13771) to implement the IPHC's 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 implementation of 
the Area 2A Pacific halibut Catch Sharing Plan and the Area 2A 
management measures for 2015. 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. 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 (81.28 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 mid-March 2016 for 2016 permits 
(exact date to be set by the IPHC in early 2016). Incidental harvest is 
authorized only during April, May, and June of the 2015 troll seasons 
and after June 30 in 2015 if quota remains and if announced on the NMFS 
hotline (phone: 1-800-662-9825 or 206-526-6667). WDFW, ODFW, and CDFW 
will monitor landings. If the landings are projected to exceed the 
29,035 pound preseason allocation or the total Area 2A non-Indian 
commercial halibut allocation, NMFS will take inseason action to 
prohibit retention of halibut in the non-Indian salmon troll fishery.
    May 1, 2015, through December 31, 2015, and April 1-30, 2016, 
license holders may land or possess no more than one Pacific halibut 
per each four Chinook, except one Pacific halibut may be possessed or 
landed without meeting the ratio requirement, and no more than 12 
halibut may be possessed or landed per trip. Pacific halibut retained 
must be no less than 32 inches in total length (with head on).
    Incidental Pacific halibut catch regulations in the commercial 
salmon troll fishery adopted for 2015, prior to any 2015 inseason 
action, will be in effect when incidental Pacific halibut retention 
opens on April 1, 2016, unless otherwise modified by inseason action at 
the March 2016 Council meeting.
    NMFS and the Council request that salmon trollers voluntarily avoid 
a ``C-shaped'' YRCA (also known as the Salmon Troll YRCA) in order to 
protect yelloweye rockfish. Coordinates for the Salmon Troll YRCA are 
defined at 50 CFR 660.70(a) in the North Coast subarea (Washington 
marine area 3). See Section 1.C.7. in this document 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

    Notice of inseason management actions will be provided by a 
telephone hotline administered by the West Coast Region, NMFS, 1-800-
662-9825 or 206-526-6667, and by USCG 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 published in 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 final rule is necessary for conservation and management of 
Pacific coast salmon stocks and is consistent with the Magnuson-Stevens 
Act and other applicable law. These regulations are being promulgated 
under the authority of 16 U.S.C. 1855(d) and 16 U.S.C. 773(c).
    This final rule is not significant under Executive Order 12866.
    The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries 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 
and contrary to the public interest.
    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

[[Page 25624]]

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 or 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 culminating with 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 two-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 the benefit of information regarding current stock status. For 
the 2015 fishing regulations, the current stock status was not 
available to the Council until February. Because a substantial amount 
of fishing occurs during May and June, managing the fishery with 
measures developed using the prior year's data could have significant 
adverse effects on the managed stocks, including ESA-listed stocks. 
Although salmon fisheries that open prior to May are managed under the 
prior year's measures, as modified by the Council at its March meeting, 
relatively little harvest occurs during that period (e.g., on average, 
less than 5 percent of commercial and recreational harvest occurred 
prior to May 1 during the years 2001 through 2014). Allowing the much 
more substantial harvest levels normally associated with the May and 
June salmon seasons to be promulgated under the prior year's 
regulations would impair NMFS' ability to protect weak and ESA-listed 
salmon stocks, and to provide harvest opportunity where appropriate. 
The choice of May 1 as the beginning of the regulatory season balances 
the need to gather and analyze the data needed to meet the management 
objectives of the Salmon FMP and the need to manage the fishery using 
the best available scientific information.
    If these measures are not in place on May 1, the 2014 management 
measures will continue to apply in most areas. This would result in 
excessive impacts to some salmon stocks, including exceeding the 
Endangered Species Act (ESA) consultation standard for Lower Columbia 
River natural coho and Oregon Coast natural coho, as well as the 
exploitation rate limit under the Pacific Salmon Treaty (PST) for 
Canada's Interior Fraser (Thompson River) coho.
    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.
    In addition, public comment is received and considered by the 
Council and NMFS throughout the process of developing these management 
measures. As described above, the Council takes comment at its March 
and April meetings, and hears summaries of comments received at public 
meetings held between the March and April meetings in each of the 
coastal states. NMFS also invited comments in a notice published prior 
to the March Council meeting, and considered comments received by the 
Council through its representative on the Council. Thus, these measures 
were developed with significant public input.
    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 and contrary to the public 
interest to provide an opportunity for prior notice and public comment 
under 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B).
    The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries 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 are not finalized 
until mid-April. These measures are essential to conserve threatened 
and endangered ocean salmon stocks, and to provide for harvest of more 
abundant stocks. Delaying the effectiveness of these measures by 30 
days could compromise the ability of some stocks to attain their 
conservation objectives, preclude harvest opportunity, and negatively 
impact anticipated international, state, and tribal salmon fisheries, 
thereby undermining the purposes of this agency action and the 
requirements of the Magnuson-Stevens Act.
    To enhance the fishing industry's notification of these new 
measures, and to minimize the burden on the regulated community 
required to comply with the new regulations, NMFS is announcing the new 
measures over the telephone hotline used for inseason management 
actions and is posting the regulations on its West Coast Region Web 
site (http://www.westcoast.fisheries.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.
    Because prior notice and an opportunity for public comment are not 
required to be provided for these portions of this rule by 5 U.S.C. 
553, or any other law, the analytical requirements of the Regulatory 
Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601 et seq., are not applicable. Accordingly, 
no Regulatory Flexibility Analysis is required for this portion of the 
rule and none has been prepared.
    This action contains collection-of-information requirements subject 
to the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA), and which have been approved by 
the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under control number 0648-
0433. The public reporting burden for providing notifications if 
landing area restrictions cannot be met is estimated to average 15 
minutes per response. This estimate includes the time for reviewing 
instructions, searching existing data

[[Page 25625]]

sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and 
reviewing the collection of information.
    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.
    NMFS has current ESA biological opinions that cover fishing under 
these regulations on all listed salmon species. NMFS reiterated their 
consultation standards for all ESA listed salmon and steelhead species 
in their annual Guidance letter to the Council dated March 3, 2015. 
Some of NMFS past biological opinions have found no jeopardy, and 
others have found jeopardy, but provided reasonable and prudent 
alternatives to avoid jeopardy. The management measures for 2015 are 
consistent with the biological opinions that found no jeopardy, and 
with the reasonable and prudent alternatives in the jeopardy biological 
opinions. The Council's recommended management measures therefore 
comply with NMFS' consultation standards and guidance for all listed 
salmon species which may be affected by Council fisheries. In some 
cases, the recommended measures are more restrictive than NMFS' ESA 
requirements.
    In 2009, NMFS consulted on the effects of fishing under the Salmon 
FMP on the endangered Southern Resident Killer Whale Distinct 
Population Segment (SRKW) and concluded the salmon fisheries were not 
likely to jeopardize SRKW. The 2015 salmon management measures are 
consistent with the terms of that biological opinion.
    This final rule was developed after meaningful and collaboration 
with the affected tribes. The tribal representative on the Council made 
the motion for the regulations that apply to the tribal fisheries.

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

    Dated: April 29, 2015.
Samuel D. Rauch III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-10421 Filed 5-1-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P