[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 84 (Monday, May 2, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 26157-26172]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-10250]



[[Page 26157]]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 660

[Docket No. 151117999-6370-01]
RIN 0648-BF56


Fisheries Off West Coast States; West Coast Salmon Fisheries; 
2016 Management Measures and a Temporary Rule

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

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

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SUMMARY: Through this final rule, NMFS establishes fishery management 
measures for the 2016 ocean salmon fisheries off Washington, Oregon, 
and California and the 2017 salmon seasons opening earlier than May 1, 
2017. The temporary rule for emergency action (emergency rule), under 
the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA), 
implements the 2016 annual management measures for the West Coast ocean 
salmon fisheries for the area from the U.S./Canada border to Cape 
Falcon, OR from May 1, 2016, through October 28, 2016. The emergency 
rule is required because preseason forecast abundance of several stocks 
of coho from the Washington coast and Puget Sound is below the stock-
specific spawning escapement goals (i.e., conservation objective) 
specified in the Pacific Coast Salmon Fishery Management Plan (FMP) and 
allocation of coho harvest in the recreational fishery will not be 
distributed consistent with the FMP in order to limit fishery impacts 
on these weak coho stocks. The fishery management measures for the area 
from Cape Falcon, OR, to the U.S./Mexico border are consistent with the 
FMP and are implemented through a final rule. 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).

DATES: Final rule covering fisheries south of Cape Falcon, Oregon, is 
effective from 0001 hours Pacific Daylight Time, May 1, 2016, until the 
effective date of the 2017 management measures, which will be published 
in the Federal Register. Temporary rule covering fisheries north of 
Cape Falcon, Oregon, is effective from 0001 hours Pacific Daylight 
Time, May 1, 2016, through 2400 hours Pacific Daylight Time, October 
28, 2016, or the attainment of the specific quotas listed below in 
section two of this rule.

ADDRESSES: The documents cited in this document are available on the 
Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Council's) Web site 
(www.pcouncil.org).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Peggy Mundy at 206-526-4323.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The ocean salmon fisheries in the EEZ off Washington, Oregon, and 
California are managed under a ``framework'' 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 FMP, by notification in the Federal Register.
    The management measures for the 2016 and pre-May 2017 ocean salmon 
fisheries that are implemented in this final rule were recommended by 
the Council at its April 9 to 14, 2016, meeting.

Process Used To Establish 2016 Management Measures

    The Council announced its annual preseason management process for 
the 2016 ocean salmon fisheries in the Federal Register on December 31, 
2015 (80 FR 81806), and on the Council's Web site at 
(www.pcouncil.org). NMFS published an additional notice of 
opportunities to submit public comments on the 2016 ocean salmon 
fisheries in the Federal Register on February 1, 2016 (81 FR 5101). 
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 the development of the 
2016 ocean salmon fisheries. The agendas for the March and April 
Council meetings were published in the Federal Register (81 FR 8047, 
February 17, 2016, and 81 FR 15045, March 21, 2016, respectively) and 
posted on the Council's Web site prior to the actual meetings.
    In accordance with the 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 made available on the 
Council's Web site upon their completion. The first of the reports, 
``Review of 2015 Ocean Salmon Fisheries,'' was prepared in February 
when the scientific information necessary for crafting management 
measures for the 2016 and pre-May 2017 ocean salmon fisheries first 
became available. The first report summarizes biological and socio-
economic data for the 2015 ocean salmon fisheries and assesses how well 
the Council's 2015 management objectives were met. The second report, 
``Preseason Report I Stock Abundance Analysis and Environmental 
Assessment Part 1 for 2016 Ocean Salmon Fishery Regulations'' (PRE I), 
provides the 2016 salmon stock abundance projections and analyzes the 
impacts on the stocks and Council management goals if the 2015 
regulations and regulatory procedures were applied to the projected 
2016 stock abundances. The completion of PRE I is the initial step in 
developing and evaluating the full suite of preseason alternatives.
    Following completion of the first two reports, the Council met in 
Sacramento, CA, from March 9 to 14, 2016, to develop 2016 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 2016 Ocean Salmon 
Fishery Regulations'' (PRE II), which analyzes the effects of the 
proposed 2016 management alternatives.
    Public hearings, sponsored by the Council, to receive testimony on 
the proposed alternatives were held on March 28, 2016, in Westport, WA, 
and Coos Bay, OR; and on March 29, 2016, in Fort Bragg, CA. The States 
of

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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 9 to 14, 2016, in Vancouver, WA, to 
adopt its final 2016 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 2016 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 (NEPA)

    The EA for this action comprises the Council's documents described 
above (PRE I, PRE II, and PRE III), providing analysis of environmental 
and socioeconomic effects under NEPA. The EA and its related Finding of 
No Significant Impact (FONSI) 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, as well as conservation 
objectives detailed in the FMP, will shape salmon fisheries in 2016, 
and several stocks will constrain fishing in 2016.
    Fisheries south of Cape Falcon, OR, are limited in 2016 primarily 
by the low abundance forecast of Klamath River fall Chinook salmon 
(KRFC) and concern for the status of ESA-listed Sacramento River winter 
Chinook salmon (SRWC). Fisheries north of Cape Falcon are limited 
primarily by the extremely low abundance forecasts for several stocks 
of coho salmon, primarily from the Washington coast and Puget Sound. At 
the start of the preseason planning process for the 2016 management 
season, NMFS provided a letter to the Council, dated March 7, 2016, 
summarizing limits to impacts on ESA-listed species for 2016, based on 
existing biological opinions and 2016 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 2016 fisheries south of 
Point Arena recommended by NMFS would be limited to a maximum of 19.9 
percent. However, as in 2015, the Council expressed concern that the 
methodology used to recommend that impact rate is retrospective in 
nature and may not be responsive to the affects of recent environmental 
events on salmon survival and productivity, including the perilously 
high mortality rates of out-migrating SRWC smolts in recent years due 
to warm water conditions caused by drought in California. The Council 
has formed a workgroup to develop new scientific methodology to 
incorporate information about future SRWC abundance into fishery 
management; however, that new methodology is not yet available. For 
2016, the Council recommended precautionary management measures 
including time and area restrictions based on data presented by the 
California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) regarding SRWC 
encounters in the fishery resulting in an impact rate for SRWC of 12.8 
percent. Conservation measures for SRWC will constrain 2016 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 not 
constrain 2016 salmon fisheries south of Cape Falcon.
    Klamath River fall Chinook salmon (KRFC): KRFC is not an ESA-listed 
stock; however, forecast abundance for this stock in 2016 is one-third 
of the 2015 forecast. To comply with the FMP's harvest control rule for 
this stock, fisheries south of Cape Falcon will be constrained in 2016 
to meet the de minimis exploitation rate of 0.25 on KRFC.
    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 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 2016 preseason abundance 
forecast, the LCR tule exploitation rate is limited to a maximum of 41 
percent. In 2016, 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

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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 2016, the marine 
survival indicator is in the ``medium'' category, while parental 
escapement is in the ``normal'' category. Under these circumstances, 
ocean salmon fisheries under the Council's jurisdiction in 2016, 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 18 percent. In 2016, LCR coho will somewhat 
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 not constrain 2016 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 usually consider the impacts of 
Council-area and inside fisheries on Puget Sound Chinook together, and 
they base their analysis of the combined impacts on a package of Puget 
Sound fisheries to which the State of Washington and Indian tribes with 
treaty rights to fish in Puget Sound have agreed through a negotiation 
process that runs concurrent with the Council's salmon season planning 
process. In 2016, the state and tribes with treaty rights to fish for 
salmon in Puget Sound have been unable to agree to a package of Puget 
Sound fisheries. However, the State and tribes did agree to 
conservation objectives for each stock of salmon included in the Puget 
Sound Chinook ESU. These conservation objectives are very similar to 
those for past years; and NMFS has determined in biological opinions 
covering Puget Sound fisheries in recent years that fisheries with 
impacts that do not exceed those past conservation objectives are not 
likely to jeopardize the continued existence of the ESU. The state and 
tribes provided a commitment to the Council during its deliberation on 
the final ocean package that they would manage Puget Sound fisheries in 
combination with ocean fishery impacts to stay within these 
conservation objectives. Given this commitment, and the relatively 
minor impacts of Council-area fisheries on Puget Sound Chinook stocks 
consistent with the 2004 opinion, it is highly likely that the combined 
fishery impacts will be within NMFS' ESA guidance as described in NMFS' 
March 7, 2016, letter to the Council outlining the ESA requirements for 
2016.
    Queets River coho: Queets River coho are not ESA-listed. However, 
the 2016 abundance forecast for this stock is below the FMP 
conservation objective for escapement (projected abundance of 3,500, 
conservation objective is escapement of 5,800). Queets River coho, and 
in combination with other Washington coastal coho stocks, will severely 
constrain all salmon fisheries north of Cape Falcon, Oregon.
    Grays Harbor natural coho: Grays Harbor coho are not ESA-listed. 
However, the 2016 abundance forecast for this stock is very close to 
the FMP conservation objective for escapement (projected abundance of 
35,694, conservation objective is escapement of 35,400); therefore, it 
is likely that this stock will not meet the FMP conservation objective 
for escapement in 2016. Grays Harbor coho, in combination with other 
Washington coastal coho stocks, will severely constrain all salmon 
fisheries north of Cape Falcon, Oregon.
    Hoh coho: Hoh coho are not ESA-listed. However, projected abundance 
of this stock is extremely close to the FMP conservation objective for 
escapement in 2016 (projected abundance of 2,100, conservation 
objective is escapement of 2,000). Hoh coho, in combination with other 
Washington coastal coho stocks, will severely constrain all salmon 
fisheries north of Cape Falcon, Oregon.
    Quillayute fall coho: Quillayute fall coho are not ESA-listed. 
However, the 2016 abundance forecast for this stock is below the FMP 
conservation objective for escapement (projected abundance of 4,500, 
conservation objective is escapement of 6,300). Quillayute fall coho, 
in combination with other Washington coastal coho stocks, will severely 
constrain all salmon fisheries north of Cape Falcon, Oregon.
    Puget Sound coho: Coho stocks from Puget Sound are impacted by 
fisheries in marine and inland waters including British Columbia, 
Washington coast, Salish Sea (including the Strait of Juan de Fuca and 
Puget Sound), and rivers that connect to Puget Sound. These fisheries 
are managed by multiple entities including the Pacific Salmon 
Commission, the Council, and the State of Washington and Treaty Tribes 
through the North of Falcon process. The Council considers the impacts 
of all fisheries on these stocks to avoid exceeding the exploitation 
rates allowed under the Salmon FMP. Abundance forecasts for four stocks 
of coho from Puget Sound in 2016 place these stocks in the Critical 
abundance-based status category, which results in an exploitation rate 
ceiling for southern U.S. fisheries of 10 percent under both the salmon 
FMP and the provisions of the PST. Therefore, the Council adopted 
management measures that would limit impacts from U.S. ocean and inside 
fisheries to 10 percent exploitation rate for the following Puget Sound 
coho stocks in 2016: Skagit, Stillaguamish, Snohomish, and Strait of 
Juan de Fuca. The state and tribes provided a commitment to the Council 
during its deliberation on the final ocean package that they would 
manage Puget Sound fisheries in combination with ocean fishery impacts 
to stay within the 10 percent exploitation rate in 2016. These stocks 
are not ESA-listed, and fisheries north of Cape Falcon, OR, will not be 
constrained to meet conservation objectives for Puget Sound coho stocks 
due to the low impact of Council-area fisheries on these stocks.

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,

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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 2016 are described in more 
detail below in the ``Management Measures for 2016 Fisheries'' section 
of this final rule. For SRFC in 2016, the overfishing limit (OFL) is 
SOFL = 299,609 (projected abundance) multiplied by 1 - 
FMSY (1 - 0.78) or 65,914 returning spawners 
(FMSY is the fishing mortality rate that would result in 
maximum sustainable yield-MSY). SABC is 299,609 multiplied 
by 1-FABC (1-0.70) (FMSY reduced for scientific 
uncertainty = 0.70) or 89,883. The SACL is set equal to 
SABC, i.e, 89,883 spawners. For KRFC in 2016, 
SOFL is 41,211 (abundance projection) multiplied by 1-
FMSY (1-0.71), or 11,951 returning spawners. SABC 
is 41,211 multiplied by 1 - FABC (1-0.68) (FMSY 
reduced for scientific uncertainty = 0.68) or 13,188 returning 
spawners. SACL is set equal to SABC, i.e., 13,188 
spawners. For Willapa Bay natural coho in 2016, the overfishing limit 
(OFL) is SOFL = 39,516 (projected abundance) multiplied by 
1-FMSY (1-0.74) or 10,274 returning spawners. 
SABC is 39,516 multiplied by 1 - FABC (1-0.70) 
(FMSY reduced for scientific uncertainty = 0.70) or 11,854. 
SACL is set equal to SABC, i.e., 11,854 spawners.
    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 and 
Puget Sound Chinook, as well as KRFC, Queets, Grays Harbor, Hoh, 
Quillayute fall, Skagit, Stillaguamish, Snohomish and Strait of Juan de 
Fuca coho which are not ESA-listed. For 2016, 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.

Emergency Rule

    The Council's final recommendation for the ocean salmon fishing 
seasons that commence May 1, 2016, deviate from the FMP specifically 
with regard to not meeting FMP escapement goals for several stocks of 
coho and in setting the recreational fishery allocations north and 
south of Leadbetter Point, Oregon. As discussed above, two coastal coho 
stocks have abundance projections that do not meet FMP conservation 
objectives for escapement, even without fishing. Two additional coastal 
coho stocks have abundance forecasts that are extremely close to the 
FMP conservation objective for escapement. To respond to this 
circumstance, the Council has recommended fisheries that would prohibit 
coho retention north of Leadbetter Point, Washington (about 10 miles 
north of the Columbia River) and would allow only limited fisheries 
targeting Chinook in that area, well below what might be allowed if 
coho stocks were healthy. The following stocks will not meet their FMP 
conservation objectives for escapement, even without fishing impacts:

 Queets:
    FMP conservation objective: 5,800 - 14,500 escapement 
(SMSY = 5,800)
    Preseason abundance estimate: 3,500
 Quillayute fall:
    FMP conservation objective: 6,300 - 15,800 escapement 
(SMSY = 6,300)
    Preseason abundance estimate: 4,500

    The preseason forecasts for these stocks are at unprecedented low 
levels. The Council's Salmon Technical Team (STT) expressed concern 
that unusually warm ocean temperatures are affecting ocean 
productivity, leading to adverse impacts to coho stocks. Coastal and 
Puget Sound Chinook stocks and Columbia River coho stocks do not appear 
to be affected to the same extent, and are projected to return in 
harvestable numbers.
    The Council considered three alternative fishery management schemes 
for the fisheries north of Cape Falcon. One alternative would have 
allowed coho retention north of Leadbetter Point, one alternative would 
have allowed Chinook fishing only north of Leadbetter Point, with 
incidental impacts to coho, and one alternative would have closed 
fisheries north of Leadbetter Point completely. The Council's state and 
tribal representatives, and industry advisory committee, supported 
consideration of these three alternatives. The Council's final 
recommended management measures fall between the second and third 
alternatives in terms of impacts to coho. These management measures 
reflect agreement between the State of Washington and coastal treaty 
tribes on temporary escapement goals for combined ocean fisheries and 
fisheries landward of the EEZ; the projected impacts of the combined 
fisheries are managed such that the affected stocks meet these 
escapement goals. The Council's recommended management measures would 
allow very limited Chinook fishing north of Leadbetter Point--
approximately 50 percent of the Chinook quota for 2015 despite 
projected Chinook abundance similar to 2015. Retention of coho would be 
prohibited, thus impacts to coho would be incidental to fishing for 
Chinook. The Council voted unanimously to adopt these measures, and 
members spoke at length about the need to conserve coho stocks while 
mitigating to the extent possible the otherwise severe impacts on 
coastal communities.
    The proposed fisheries have minimal impacts on the affected coho 
stocks and are not expected to jeopardize the capacity of the fishery 
to produce maximum sustainable yield on a continuing basis. The FMP 
defines overfishing and overfished status for these stocks. None would 
be subject to overfishing under the proposed management measures, in 
fact the overfishing limits in the FMP are much higher than the 
expected impact rates (50-60 percent MFMTs as opposed to 1-10 percent 
projected fishery impacts). All but one of the stocks are expected to 
avoid ``overfished'' or ``approaching overfished'' status with the 
proposed fisheries. The FMP defines ``overfished'' status in terms of a 
three year geometric mean escapement level and whether it is above the 
minimum stock sized threshold (MSST). Queets, Hoh, and Grays Harbor 
coho are all expected to have three year geometric mean escapement 
levels above MSST, when the projected impacts of the Council's 
recommended fisheries and fisheries landward of the EEZ are taken into 
account. One stock, Quillayute fall coho, is likely to meet the 
definition of ``overfished'' in 2017, but this is the case whether or 
not there are any fishery impacts. The marginal decreases in the 
abundance of all four stocks expected from the proposed fisheries 
(e.g., for Quillayute fall, approximately 66 fish out of the forecasted 
abundance of 4,500 fish may be taken by the proposed fisheries) are not 
expected to affect the ability of the fisheries to produce MSY on a 
continuing basis.
    The temporary rule for emergency action implements the 2016 annual 
management measures for the West Coast ocean salmon fisheries for the 
area from the U.S./Canada border to Cape Falcon, OR, for 180 days, from 
May 1, 2016, through October 28, 2016 (16 U.S.C. 1855(c)).

Public Comments

    The Council invited written comments on developing 2016 salmon 
management measures in their notice

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announcing public meetings and hearings (80 FR 81806, December 31, 
2015). At its March meeting, the Council adopted three alternatives for 
2016 salmon management measures having a range of quotas, season 
structure, and impacts, from the least restrictive in 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 119 
people; 37 people provided oral comments. Comments came from individual 
fishers, fishing associations, fish buyers, and processors. Written and 
oral comments addressed the 2016 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 2016 meeting and were 
considered by the Council, which includes a representative from NMFS, 
in developing the recommended management measures transmitted to NMFS 
on April 22, 2016. In addition to comments collected at the public 
hearings and those submitted directly to the Council, several people 
provided oral comments at the April 2016 Council meeting; two further 
comments were received via email to the Council and to NMFS during and 
following the April 2016 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 notice (81 FR 5101, 
February 1, 2016). Eight comments were submitted via 
www.regulations.gov; one of which did not address salmon management.
    Comments on alternatives for fisheries north of Cape Falcon. For 
fisheries north of Cape Falcon, Alternative I quota levels were favored 
by commercial and recreational fishery commenters at the public hearing 
in Westport, WA. Comments on both commercial and recreational fisheries 
support consistent openings. The economic impacts and opportunities 
associated with salmon fisheries were stressed by several commenters. 
Alternative III, which would have closed all fisheries north of Cape 
Falcon received no support.
    Comments on alternatives for fisheries south of Cape Falcon. Most 
comments that expressed support for a specific alternative supported 
Alternative I, for both commercial and recreational fisheries. A couple 
of groups presented new alternatives, each receiving a share of support 
from those attending the public hearings. The seven relevant comments 
submitted via the Federal Rulemaking Portal all opposed Alternative III 
for the recreational fishery in the Monterey area. Public testimony at 
the April Council meeting was largely opposed to additional 
conservation restrictions over what were implemented in 2015 to limit 
fishery impacts on SRWC.
    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. Alternatives I and II each 
received a single testimony of support at the public hearings.
    Comments on NEPA. The Council and NMFS received two emailed 
comments, one near the end of the April Council meeting and the other 
after the Council meeting had ended that suggested the action of 
adopting the 2016 ocean salmon management measures might require 
analysis in an environmental impact statement. NMFS took these comments 
into consideration in our NEPA analysis and when finalizing the EA and 
FONSI. In summary, NMFS disagrees with the commenter's assertions that 
the impacts of the proposed fisheries are ``significant'' and require 
an EIS, because these impacts are very low relative to stock abundance 
and are not expected to jeopardize the ability of the fisheries to 
produce maximum sustainable yield on a continuing basis. Further, 
future fisheries will be shaped to respond to new information about the 
impacts of environmental conditions and human activities on the stocks 
in the FMP.
    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 III for incidental halibut retention, this 
alternative provides for more liberal landing limits for halibut than 
were adopted for 2015 salmon fisheries and April 2016 salmon fisheries 
(80 FR 25611, May 5, 2015).

Management Measures for 2016 Fisheries

    The Council's recommended ocean harvest levels and management 
measures for the 2016 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 FMP, the 
requirements of the resource, and the socioeconomic factors affecting 
resource users. The recommendations are consistent with the 
requirements of the MSA, 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 ESA-listed salmon species that may be affected by Council 
fisheries. Accordingly, NMFS, through this final rule and temporary 
rule, approves and implements the Council's recommendations.
    North of Cape Falcon, 2016 management measures for non-Indian 
commercial troll and recreational fisheries have greatly reduced quotas 
for Chinook and coho salmon compared to 2015. This is due to the fact 
that Washington coast and Puget Sound coho are forecast to have 
extremely low abundance and conservation measures are being implemented 
in all salmon fishing sectors north of Cape Falcon to limit impacts on 
these stocks. North of Cape Falcon in 2016, commercial fisheries will 
have no retention of coho salmon and recreational fisheries will have 
no retention of coho salmon north of Leadbetter Point, WA. Chinook 
harvest north of Cape Falcon will be approximately one half of the 2015 
level for both commercial and recreational fisheries. Chinook impacts 
in Alaskan and Canadian fisheries on salmon stocks originating north of 
Cape Falcon are expected to increase slightly for Chinook in 2016 
compared with 2015; coho impacts are essentially the same. As noted 
previously, ESA-listed Puget Sound Chinook will not be constraining to 
this year's fisheries. Impacts to Thompson River coho from Canada and 
Puget Sound coho will also not be constraining, due to conservation 
measures in place to limit fishery impacts to Washington coast coho. 
The Council recommended a provision prohibiting retention of chum 
salmon in the ocean salmon fisheries north of Cape

[[Page 26162]]

Alava, WA, 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). The projected abundance of Willapa Bay 
natural coho in 2016 is similar to the 2015 projection. Under the 
management measures in this final rule, and including anticipated in-
river impacts, spawning escapement for Willapa Bay natural coho is 
projected at 37,400, well above the SACL for this stock.
    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. Commercial 
fisheries south of Cape Falcon will be directed at Chinook and have no 
coho retention. The projected abundance of SRFC in 2016 is about half 
of the 2015 projection. Under the management measures in this final 
rule, and including anticipated in-river impacts, spawning escapement 
for SRFC is projected at 151,100, well above the SACL for 
this stock. Projected abundance for KRFC in 2016 is about one-third of 
2015, and harvest will be constrained to a de minimis level of 25 
percent by the harvest control rule. Under the management measures in 
this final rule, and including anticipated in-river fishery impacts, 
spawning escapement for KRFC is projected at 30,909, well above the 
SACL for this stock.
    As discussed above in ``Stocks of Concern,'' NMFS' 2012 RPA for 
SRWC, together with projected abundance for 2016, limits Council-area 
fishery impacts to SRWC to 19.9 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 the California Department of Fish and 
Wildlife's (CDFW) estimate of greater than 95 percent mortality of 
juvenile SRWC from brood years 2014 and 2015 prior to downstream 
emigration, information developed by CDFW on time and area 
vulnerability of SRWC to commercial and recreational fisheries, and 
public testimony on proposed season structure. 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, CA, and result in an age-3 ocean 
impact rate of 12.8 percent in 2016, compared with 17.5 percent in 
2015.
    The treaty-Indian commercial troll fishery quotas for 2016 are 
40,000 Chinook salmon and no coho in ocean management areas and 
Washington State Statistical Area 4B combined. These quotas are lower 
than the 60,000 Chinook and 42,500 coho quotas in 2015, for the same 
reasons discussed above for the non-tribal fishery. The treaty-Indian 
fishery commercial fisheries include a May and June fishery and a July 
and August fishery, with a quota of 20,000 Chinook in each fishery.

Management Measures for 2017 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 2017 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 2017 as indicated in the ``Season 
Description'' section of this document. At the March 2017 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 ocean 
salmon fishery. Open seasons and days are described in Sections 1, 2, 
and 3 of the 2016 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 2016 and, as specified, 
for 2017.

Section 1. Commercial Management Measures for 2016 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 1-3, May 6-31, June 3-5, June 10-16, and June 24-30 or 14,000 
Chinook, no more than 4,600 of which may be caught in the area between 
the U.S./Canada border and the Queets River and no more than 4,600 of 
which may be caught in the area between Leadbetter Pt. and Cape Falcon 
(C.8). May 1 through May 3 with a landing and possession limit of 40 
Chinook per vessel for the open period. Then May 6 through May 31, five 
days per week, Friday through Tuesday with a landing and possession 
limit of 40 Chinook per vessel per open period. Then June 3-5, June 10-
16, and June 24-30, with a landing and possession limit of 40 Chinook 
per vessel per open period (C.1, C.6). 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 360-249-1215 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 360-249-1215 with area fished, total Chinook 
and halibut catch aboard, and destination. When it is projected that 
approximately 75 percent of the overall Chinook guideline has been 
landed, or approximately 75 percent of the Chinook subarea guideline 
has been landed in the area between the U.S./Canada border and the 
Queets River, or approximately 75 percent of the Chinook subarea 
guideline has been landed in the area between Leadbetter Point and Cape 
Falcon, inseason action will be considered to ensure the guideline is 
not exceeded. See compliance requirements (C.1) and gear restrictions 
and definitions (C.2, C.3). Cape Flattery, Mandatory Yelloweye Rockfish 
Conservation Area (YRCA), 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

[[Page 26163]]

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 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 8-14, July 22-28, August 1-7, and August 15-23 or 21,000 
Chinook, no more than 8,300 of which may be caught in the area between 
the U.S./Canada border and the Queets River (C.8). Landing and 
possession limit of 50 Chinook per vessel per open period (C.1). 
Vessels in possession of salmon north of the Queets River may not cross 
the Queets River line (see Section 5. Geographical Landmarks) without 
first notifying WDFW at 360-249-1215 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 
(see Section 5. Geographical Landmarks) without first notifying WDFW at 
360-249-1215 with area fished, total Chinook and halibut catch aboard, 
and destination. When it is projected that approximately 75 percent of 
the overall Chinook guideline has been landed, or approximately 75 
percent of the Chinook subarea guideline has been landed in the area 
between the U.S./Canada border to the Queets River, inseason action 
will be considered to ensure the guideline is not exceeded. All salmon 
except coho; no chum retention north of Cape Alava, Washington in 
August and September (C.4, C.7). Chinook minimum size limit of 28 
inches total length (B, C.1). 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 8, Grays Harbor Control Zone closed (C.5, C.6). 
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 8-30;
    May 1-31;
    June 5-10, 15-30;
    July 8-31;
    August 8-12, 18-24;
    September 1-7, 15-30;
    October 1-31 (C.9.a).
    Seven days per week. All salmon except coho (C.4, C.6, 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 1, no more than 40 Chinook per 
vessel per landing week (Thursday through Wednesday). Beginning October 
1, open shoreward of the 40 fathom regulatory line (C.5.f).
    In 2017, the season will open March 15 for all salmon except coho. 
Chinook minimum size limit of 28 inches total length. Gear restrictions 
same as in 2016. This opening could be modified following Council 
review at its March 2017 meeting.
--Humbug Mountain to Oregon/California Border (Oregon Klamath 
Management Zone (KMZ))
    April 8-30;
    May 1-31;
    June 5-10 and 15-30 or a 720 Chinook quota;
    July 8 through the earlier of July 31 or a 200 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. See compliance requirements (C.1, C.6) and gear restrictions 
and definitions (C.2, C.3).
    June 5 through July 31 single daily landing and possession limit of 
15 Chinook per vessel per day (C.8.f). Any remaining portion of the 
June Chinook quota may be transferred inseason on an impact neutral 
basis to the July quota period (C.8.b). 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 (C.6). State regulations require fishers landing 
from any quota managed season in this area to notify ODFW within one 
hour of delivery or prior to transporting their catch to other 
locations by 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, location of 
delivery, and estimated time of delivery.
    In 2017, 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 2017 meeting.
--Oregon/California Border to Humboldt South Jetty (California KMZ)
    September 9 through the earlier of September 27 or a 1,000 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

[[Page 26164]]

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 Mt.
    Closed.
--Horse Mt. to Point Arena (Fort Bragg)
    June 13-30;
    August 3-27;
    September 1-30 (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 2017, the season will open April 16-30 for all salmon except 
coho, with a 27-inch Chinook minimum size limit and the same gear 
restrictions as in 2016. All fish caught in the area must be landed in 
the area. This opening could be modified following Council review at 
its March 2017 meeting.
--Point Arena to Pigeon Point (San Francisco)
    May 6-31;
    June 13-30;
    August 3-28;
    September 1-30 (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 3-7 and 10-14.
    Five days per week, Monday through Friday. 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 1-31;
    June 1-30 (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). See compliance requirements (C.1) and gear 
restrictions and definitions (C.2, C.3).
--Point Sur to U.S./Mexico Border (Monterey South)
    May 1-31;
    June 1-30 (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). 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  ..............  ..............           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 September 1........            27.0            20.5  ..............  ..............           None.
    After September 1...........            26.0            19.5  ..............  ..............           None.
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.

[[Page 26165]]

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, WDFW, and Oregon State Police 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 6 
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).
    f. Waypoints for the 40 fathom regulatory line from Cape Falcon to 
Humbug Mountain (50 CFR 660.71(k)).

(12) 45[deg]46.00' N. lat., 124[deg]04.49' W. long.;
(13) 45[deg]44.34' N. lat., 124[deg]05.09' W. long.;
(14) 45[deg]40.64' N. lat., 124[deg]04.90' W. long.;
(15) 45[deg]33.00' N. lat., 124[deg]04.46' W. long.;
(16) 45[deg]32.27' N. lat., 124[deg]04.74' W. long.;
(17) 45[deg]29.26' N. lat., 124[deg]04.22' W. long.;
(18) 45[deg]20.25' N. lat., 124[deg]04.67' W. long.;
(19) 45[deg]19.99' N. lat., 124[deg]04.62' W. long.;
(20) 45[deg]17.50' N. lat., 124[deg]04.91' W. long.;
(21) 45[deg]11.29' N. lat., 124[deg]05.20' W. long.;
(22) 45[deg]05.80' N. lat., 124[deg]05.40' W. long.;
(23) 45[deg]05.08' N. lat., 124[deg]05.93' W. long.;
(24) 45[deg]03.83' N. lat., 124[deg]06.47' W. long.;
(25) 45[deg]01.70' N. lat., 124[deg]06.53' W. long.;
(26) 44[deg]58.75' N. lat., 124[deg]07.14' W. long.;
(27) 44[deg]51.28' N. lat., 124[deg]10.21' W. long.;
(28) 44[deg]49.49' N. lat., 124[deg]10.90' W. long.;
(29) 44[deg]44.96' N. lat., 124[deg]14.39' W. long.;
(30) 44[deg]43.44' N. lat., 124[deg]14.78' W. long.;
(31) 44[deg]42.26' N. lat., 124[deg]13.81' W. long.;
(32) 44[deg]41.68' N. lat., 124[deg]15.38' W. long.;
(33) 44[deg]34.87' N. lat., 124[deg]15.80' W. long.;
(34) 44[deg]33.74' N. lat., 124[deg]14.44' W. long.;
(35) 44[deg]27.66' N. lat., 124[deg]16.99' W. long.;
(36) 44[deg]19.13' N. lat., 124[deg]19.22' W. long.;
(37) 44[deg]15.35' N. lat., 124[deg]17.38' W. long.;
(38) 44[deg]14.38' N. lat., 124[deg]17.78' W. long.;
(39) 44[deg]12.80' N. lat., 124[deg]17.18' W. long.;
(40) 44[deg]09.23' N. lat., 124[deg]15.96' W. long.;
(41) 44[deg]08.38' N. lat., 124[deg]16.79' W. long.;
(42) 44[deg]08.30' N. lat., 124[deg]16.75' W. long.;
(43) 44[deg]01.18' N. lat., 124[deg]15.42' W. long.;
(44) 43[deg]51.61' N. lat., 124[deg]14.68' W. long.;
(45) 43[deg]42.66' N. lat., 124[deg]15.46' W. long.;
(46) 43[deg]40.49' N. lat., 124[deg]15.74' W. long.;
(47) 43[deg]38.77' N. lat., 124[deg]15.64' W. long.;
(48) 43[deg]34.52' N. lat., 124[deg]16.73' W. long.;
(49) 43[deg]28.82' N. lat., 124[deg]19.52' W. long.;
(50) 43[deg]23.91' N. lat., 124[deg]24.28' W. long.;
(51) 43[deg]20.83' N. lat., 124[deg]26.63' W. long.;
(52) 43[deg]17.96' N. lat., 124[deg]28.81' W. long.;
(53) 43[deg]16.75' N. lat., 124[deg]28.42' W. long.;
(54) 43[deg]13.97' N. lat., 124[deg]31.99' W. long.;
(55) 43[deg]13.72' N. lat., 124[deg]33.25' W. long.;
(56) 43[deg]12.26' N. lat., 124[deg]34.16' W. long.;
(57) 43[deg]10.96' N. lat., 124[deg]32.33' W. long.;

[[Page 26166]]

(58) 43[deg]05.65' N. lat., 124[deg]31.52' W. long.;
(59) 42[deg]59.66' N. lat., 124[deg]32.58' W. long.;
(60) 42[deg]54.97' N. lat., 124[deg]36.99' W. long.;
(61) 42[deg]53.81' N. lat., 124[deg]38.57' W. long.;
(62) 42[deg]50.00' N. lat., 124[deg]39.68' W. long.;
(63) 42[deg]49.13' N. lat., 124[deg]39.70' W. long.;
(64) 42[deg]46.47' N. lat., 124[deg]38.89' W. long.;
(65) 42[deg]45.74' N. lat., 124[deg]38.86' W. long.;
(66) 42[deg]44.79' N. lat., 124[deg]37.96' W. long.;
(67) 42[deg]45.01' N. lat., 124[deg]36.39' W. long.;
(68) 42[deg]44.14' N. lat., 124[deg]35.17' W. long.;
(69) 42[deg]42.14' N. lat., 124[deg]32.82' W. long.;
(70) 42[deg]40.50' N. lat., 124[deg]31.98' W. long.;
C.6. Notification When Unsafe Conditions Prevent Compliance With 
Regulations
    If prevented by unsafe weather conditions or mechanical problems 
from meeting special management area landing restrictions, vessels must 
notify the U.S. Coast Guard and receive acknowledgment of such 
notification prior to leaving the area. This notification shall include 
the name of the vessel, port where delivery will be made, approximate 
amount of salmon (by species) on board, 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 U.S. Coast Guard, 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 U.S. Coast Guard. 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 by the International 
Pacific Halibut Commission may retain Pacific halibut caught 
incidentally in Area 2A while trolling for salmon. Halibut retained 
must be no less than 32 inches 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 IPHC (phone: 206-634-1838). Applicants must apply prior to mid-
March 2017 for 2017 permits (exact date to be set by the IPHC in early 
2017). Incidental harvest is authorized only during April, May, and 
June of the 2016 troll seasons and after June 30 in 2016 if quota 
remains and if announced on the NMFS hotline (phone: 800-662-9825 or 
206-526-6667). WDFW, ODFW, and CDFW will monitor landings. If the 
landings are projected to exceed the IPHC's 34,123 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, 2016, through December 31, 2016, and April 1-30, 2017, 
license holders may land or possess no more than one Pacific halibut 
per each three Chinook, except one Pacific halibut may be possessed or 
landed without meeting the ratio requirement, and no more than 20 
halibut may be possessed or landed per trip. Pacific halibut retained 
must be no less than 32 inches in total length (with head on). IPHC 
license holders must comply with all applicable IPHC regulations.
    Incidental Pacific halibut catch regulations in the commercial 
salmon troll fishery adopted for 2016, prior to any 2016 inseason 
action, will be in effect when incidental Pacific halibut retention 
opens on April 1, 2017 unless otherwise modified by inseason action at 
the March 2017 Council meeting.
    a. ``C-shaped'' yelloweye rockfish conservation area 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 the 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 non-Indian commercial troll 
quotas in the Oregon KMZ may be transferred to the Chinook quota for 
the July 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 preseason impact expectations on 
any stocks.
    d. At the March 2017 meeting, the Council will consider inseason 
recommendations for special regulations for any experimental fisheries 
(proposals must meet Council protocol and be received in November 
2016).
    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 is 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 shall be that area from Humbug Mountain, Oregon, to 
Horse Mountain, California.

Section 2. Recreational Management Measures for 2016 Ocean Salmon 
Fisheries

    Parts A, B, and C of this section contain restrictions that must be

[[Page 26167]]

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 Alava (Neah Bay Subarea)
    July 1 through earlier of August 21 or a subarea guideline of 6,200 
Chinook (C.6).
    Seven days per week. All salmon except coho; no chum beginning 
August 1; two fish per day (C.1). Beginning August 1, Chinook non-
retention east of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line (C.4.a) during Council 
managed ocean fishery. Chinook minimum size limit of 24 inches total 
length (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 and coho recreational TACs for north of Cape Falcon 
(C.5).
--Cape Alava to Queets River (La Push Subarea)
    July 1 through earlier of August 21 or a subarea guideline of 2,000 
Chinook (C.6).
    Seven days per week. All salmon except coho; two fish per day. 
Chinook minimum size limit of 24 inches total length (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 and coho recreational TACs for north of Cape Falcon (C.5).
--Queets River to Leadbetter Point (Westport Subarea)
    July 1 through earlier of August 21 or a subarea guideline of 
16,600 Chinook (C.6).
    Seven days per week. All salmon except coho; one fish per day 
(C.1). Chinook minimum size limit of 24 inches total length (B). See 
gear restrictions and definitions (C.2, C.3). Grays Harbor Control Zone 
closed beginning August 8 (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)
    July 1 through earlier of August 31 or 18,900 marked coho subarea 
quota with a subarea guideline of 10,200 Chinook (C.6).
    Seven days per week. All salmon; two fish per day, no more than one 
of which can be a Chinook (C.1). Chinook minimum size limit of 24 
inches total length (B). 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 Mt.
    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 3 through the 
earlier of September 30 or a landed catch of 7,500 coho (C.5).
    Seven days per week. All salmon, two fish per day (C.1). See 
minimum size limits (B) and gear restrictions and definitions (C.2, 
C.3).
    The all salmon except coho season reopens the earlier of October 1 
or attainment of the coho quota (C.5).
    In 2017, the season between Cape Falcon and Humbug Mountain will 
open March 15 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 2016 (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 for 
specific dates) (C.3.b, C.4.d).
--Cape Falcon to Oregon/California Border
    All-salmon mark-selective coho fishery: June 25 through the earlier 
of August 7 or a landed catch of 26,000 marked coho (C.5).
    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). The all salmon except coho season reopens 
the earlier of August 8 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 for 
specific dates) (C.3.b, C.4.d).
--Humbug Mt. to Oregon/California Border (Oregon KMZ)
    May 28 through August 7 and September 3 through September 5; except 
as provided above during the all-salmon mark-selective coho fishery 
(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 16 through May 31, June 16 through June 30, July 16 through 
August 16, and September 1 through September 5 (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 2 through November 13 (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 2017, season opens April 1 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 2016 (C.2, C.3).
--Point Arena to Pigeon Point (San Francisco)
    April 2 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 2017, season opens April 1 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 2016 (C.2, C.3).

[[Page 26168]]

--Pigeon Point to Point Sur (Monterey North)
    April 2 through July 15 (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 (B). See 
gear restrictions and definitions (C.2, C.3).
    In 2017, season opens April 1 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 2016 (C.2, C.3).
--Point Sur to U.S./Mexico Border (Monterey South)
    April 2 through May 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 (B). See 
gear restrictions and definitions (C.2, C.3).
    In 2017, season opens April 1 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 2016 (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...........            24.0  ..............  24.0.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Metric equivalents: 24.0 in = 61.0 cm, 20.0 in = 50.8 cm, and 16.0 in = 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 #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

[[Page 26169]]

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 6 
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.
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 2016 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 20,000 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 August 31, or 20,000 preseason 
Chinook quota (C.5). All salmon except coho. 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   ...............  ...............           None.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Metric equivalents: 24.0 in = 61.0 cm, 18.0 in = 45.7 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]10'00'' N. lat. 
(Cape Alava.) and 47[deg]3'70'' 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]08'30'' 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 
August 31.
    b. The Quileute Tribe will continue a ceremonial and subsistence 
fishery during the time frame of October 1 through October 15 in the 
same manner as in 2004-2015. Fish taken during this fishery are to be 
counted against treaty troll quotas established for the 2016 season 
(estimated harvest during the October ceremonial and subsistence 
fishery: 20 Chinook; 0 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

[[Page 26170]]

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 August 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 April 1, 2016, NMFS published 
a final rule (81 FR 18789) 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 2016. 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 2017 for 2017 permits 
(exact date to be set by the IPHC in early 2017). Incidental harvest is 
authorized only during April, May, and June of the 2016 troll seasons 
and after June 30 in 2016 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 
34,123 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, 2016, through December 31, 2016, and April 1-30, 2017, 
license holders may land or possess no more than one Pacific halibut 
per each three Chinook, except one Pacific halibut may be possessed or 
landed without meeting the ratio requirement, and no more than 20 
halibut may be possessed or landed per trip. Pacific halibut retained 
must be no less than 32 inches in total length (with head on). IPHC 
license holders must comply with all applicable IPHC regulations.
    Incidental Pacific halibut catch regulations in the commercial 
salmon troll fishery adopted for 2016, prior to any 2016 inseason 
action, will be in effect when incidental Pacific halibut retention 
opens on April 1, 2017, unless otherwise modified by inseason action at 
the March 2017 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 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

[[Page 26171]]

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 
previous years' 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 two-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 2016 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 2015). 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, salmon fisheries will 
not open as scheduled. This would result in lost fishing opportunity, 
negative economic impacts, and confusion for the public as the state 
fisheries adopt concurrent regulations that conform to the Federal 
management measures.
    Overall, the annual population dynamics of the various salmon 
stocks require managers to adjust the season structure of the West 
Coast salmon 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 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

[[Page 26172]]

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 7, 2016. 
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 2016 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 2016 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 27, 2016.
Samuel D. Rauch III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-10250 Filed 4-28-16; 4:15 pm]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P