[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 203 (Monday, October 21, 2019)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 56137-56142]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-22772]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 660

[Docket No. 180702602-9400-01]
RIN 0648-XW007


Fisheries Off West Coast States; Modifications of the West Coast 
Recreational and Commercial Salmon Fisheries; Inseason Actions #6 
Through #27

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

ACTION: Modification of fishing seasons.

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SUMMARY: NMFS announces 22 inseason actions in the ocean salmon 
fisheries. These inseason actions modified the commercial and 
recreational salmon fisheries in the area from the U.S./Canada border 
to the U.S./Mexico border.

DATES: The effective dates for the inseason actions are set out in this 
document under the heading Inseason Actions.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    In the 2019 annual management measures for ocean salmon fisheries 
(84 FR 19729, May 6, 2019), NMFS announced management measures for the 
commercial and recreational fisheries in the area from the U.S./Canada 
border to the U.S./Mexico border, effective from 0001 hours Pacific 
Daylight Time (PDT), May 6, 2019, until the effective date of the 2020 
management measures, as published in the Federal Register. NMFS is 
authorized to implement inseason management actions to modify fishing 
seasons and quotas as necessary to provide fishing opportunity while 
meeting management objectives for the affected species (50 CFR 
660.409). Inseason actions in the salmon fishery may be taken directly 
by NMFS (50 CFR 660.409(a)--Fixed inseason management provisions) or 
upon consultation with the Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) 
and the appropriate State Directors (50 CFR 660.409(b)--Flexible 
inseason management provisions). The state management agencies that 
participated in the consultations described in this document were: 
California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), Oregon Department of 
Fish and Wildlife (ODFW), and Washington Department of Fish and 
Wildlife (WDFW).

Management Areas

    Management of the salmon fisheries is generally divided into two 
geographic areas: North of Cape Falcon (U.S./Canada border to Cape 
Falcon, OR) and south of Cape Falcon (Cape Falcon, OR, to the U.S./
Mexico border). Within the north and south of Cape Falcon areas, there 
are further subarea divisions used to manage impacts on salmon stocks 
or stock groups as well as economic impacts to communities.
    North of Cape Falcon: Recreational fisheries north of Cape Falcon 
are divided into four subareas: U.S./Canada border to Cape Alava, WA 
(Neah Bay subarea), Cape Alava, WA, to Queets River, WA (La Push 
subarea), Queets River, WA, to Leadbetter Point, WA (Westport subarea), 
and Leadbetter Point, WA, to Cape Falcon, OR (Columbia River subarea). 
Commercial fisheries north of Cape Falcon are divided at Queets River, 
WA, and Leadbetter Point, WA.
    South of Cape Falcon: South of Cape Falcon, the area from Humbug 
Mountain, OR, to Horse Mountain, CA, is the Klamath Management Zone 
(KMZ) and is managed in two subareas, Oregon KMZ and California KMZ, 
divided at the Oregon/California border. The Oregon KMZ is the area 
from Humbug Mountain, OR, to the Oregon/California border. The 
California KMZ is the area from the Oregon/California border to Horse 
Mountain, CA. However, the area from Humboldt South Jetty, CA, to Horse 
Mountain, CA, has been closed to commercial salmon fishing since 1992.

Inseason Actions

Inseason Action #6

    Description of the action: Inseason action #6 temporarily closed 
the commercial salmon fishery from the U.S./Canada border to Queets 
River, WA.
    Effective dates: Inseason action #6 took effect on June 19, 2019, 
and remained in effect until superseded by inseason action #8 on June 
24, 2019.
    Reason and authorization for the action: The purpose of inseason 
action #6 was to avoid exceeding the subarea quota for Chinook salmon. 
The 2019 annual management measures (84 FR 19729, May 6, 2019) state 
that inseason action will be considered when approximately 60 percent 
of the subarea guideline for the area from the U.S./Canada border to 
Queets River, WA, has been landed. At the time of this inseason 
consultation, 75 percent of the subarea guideline had been landed. The 
Regional Administrator (RA) considered Chinook salmon landings and 
fishery effort and determined inseason action was necessary to stay 
within the quota. Inseason action to modify fishing seasons is 
authorized by 50 CFR 660.409(b)(1)(i).
    Consultation date and participants: Consultation on inseason action 
#6 occurred on June 14, 2019. Representatives from NMFS, WDFW, and ODFW 
participated in this consultation. Council staff were unavailable to 
participate, but were notified of the RA's decision immediately after 
the consultation.

Inseason Action #7

    Description of the action: Inseason action #7 allowed retention of 
halibut caught incidental to the commercial salmon fishery by 
International Pacific Halibut Commission license holders to continue 
past June 30, 2019. Inseason action #7 also reduced the landing limit 
for incidental halibut from 35 halibut per vessel per trip to 15 
halibut per vessel per trip; other landing restrictions remained as set 
preseason. This inseason action applied to commercial

[[Page 56138]]

salmon fisheries from the U.S./Canada border to the U.S./Mexico border.
    Effective dates: Inseason action #7 took effect on July 1, 2019, 
and remained in effect until superseded on July 19, 2019 by inseason 
action #16.
    Reason and authorization for the action: The 2019 annual management 
measures for ocean salmon fisheries (84 FR 19729, May 6, 2019) 
announced the conditions for incidental halibut harvest: ``incidental 
harvest is authorized only during April, May, and June of the 2019 
troll seasons, and after June 30 in 2019 if quota remains.'' At the 
time of this consultation, 49 percent of the incidental halibut 
allocation remained uncaught. The RA considered Chinook salmon and 
halibut landings and fishery effort in the commercial ocean salmon 
fishery and determined that this inseason action was necessary to meet 
management objectives set preseason and to allow access to the 
available halibut allocation, as provided for in the 2019 annual 
management measures for ocean salmon fisheries (84 FR 19729, May 6, 
2019). Inseason action to modify species that may be caught and landed 
during specific seasons and the establishment of modification of 
limited retention regulations are authorized by 50 CFR 
660.409(b)(1)(ii).
    Consultation date and participants: Consultation on inseason action 
#7 occurred on June 24, 2019. Representatives from NMFS, WDFW, ODFW, 
CDFW, and the Council participated in this consultation.

Inseason Action #8

    Description of the action: Inseason action #8 reopened the 
commercial salmon fishery from the U.S./Canada border to Queets River, 
WA, from 1 p.m., June 24, 2019, to 11:59 p.m., June 28, 2019, with a 
landing and possession limit of 20 Chinook salmon per vessel for the 
landing period.
    Effective dates: Inseason action #8 superseded inseason action #6, 
above, on June 24, 2019, and remained in effect through the scheduled 
closure of this fishery on June 28, 2019.
    Reason and authorization for the action: The purpose of inseason 
action #8 was to allow access to available subarea Chinook salmon quota 
for the May-June season for the economic benefit of local fishery 
dependent communities. The RA considered Chinook landings to date, 
remaining Chinook salmon quota, and fishery effort projections and 
determined inseason action was necessary to meet management objectives 
set preseason. Inseason action to modify fishing seasons is authorized 
by 50 CFR 660.409(b)(1)(i).
    Consultation date and participants: Consultation on inseason action 
#8 occurred on June 24, 2019. Representatives from NMFS, WDFW, ODFW, 
and the Council participated in this consultation.

Inseason Action #9

    Description of the action: Inseason action #9 adjusted the July 
quota in the commercial salmon fishery in the Oregon KMZ to account for 
an impact-neutral rollover of unused quota from June. The July quota 
was adjusted from 2,500 Chinook salmon to 4,495 Chinook salmon.
    Effective dates: Inseason action #9 took effect July 4, 2019, and 
remained in effect through the end of the July quota period on July 31, 
2019.
    Reason and authorization for the action: The purpose of inseason 
action #9 was to be consistent with the annual management measures, 
which state that any remaining portion of Chinook quotas in the Oregon 
KMZ may be transferred inseason on an impact-neutral basis to the next 
open quota period (84 FR 19729, May 6, 2019). The RA considered Chinook 
salmon landings to date and the calculations of the Council's Salmon 
Technical Team (STT) for rolling over quota on an impact-neutral basis 
for impacts to Klamath River fall-run Chinook salmon (KRFC), impacts to 
age-4 KRFC which serves as a surrogate for impacts to California 
Coastal Chinook salmon (listed as threatened under the Endangered 
Species Act (ESA)), and fifty-fifty tribal/nontribal sharing of KRFC 
allowable catch. The RA determined inseason action was necessary to 
meet management objectives set preseason. Inseason action to modify 
quotas is authorized by 50 CFR 660.409(b)(1)(i).
    Consultation date and participants: Consultation on inseason action 
#9 occurred on July 3, 2019. Representatives from NMFS, ODFW, CDFW, and 
the Council participated in this consultation.

Inseason Action #10

    Description of the action: Inseason action #10 increased the 
landing limit in the commercial salmon fishery in the Oregon KMZ from 
50 Chinook salmon to 125 Chinook salmon per vessel per landing week 
(set preseason as Thursday through Wednesday).
    Effective dates: Inseason action #10 took effect July 4, 2019, and 
remained in effect through the scheduled closure of this fishery on 
August 29, 2019.
    Reason and authorization for the action: The purpose of inseason 
action #10 was to provide greater access to available quota. The RA 
considered Chinook landings to date, remaining Chinook salmon quota, 
and fishery effort projections and determined inseason action was 
necessary to meet management objectives set preseason. Inseason action 
to modify limited retention regulations is authorized by 50 CFR 
660.409(b)(1)(ii).
    Consultation date and participants: Consultation on inseason action 
#10 occurred on July 3, 2019. Representatives from NMFS, ODFW, CDFW, 
and the Council participated in this consultation.

Inseason Action #11

    Description of the action: Inseason action #11 adjusted the July 
quota in the commercial salmon fishery in the California KMZ to account 
for an impact-neutral rollover of unused quota from June. The July 
quota was adjusted from 2,500 Chinook salmon to 3,997 Chinook salmon.
    Effective dates: Inseason action #11 took effect July 4, 2019, and 
remained in effect through the end of the July quota period on July 31, 
2019.
    Reason and authorization for the action: The purpose of inseason 
action #11 was to be consistent with the annual management measures, 
which state that any remaining portion of Chinook quotas in the 
California KMZ may be transferred inseason on an impact-neutral basis 
to the next open quota period (84 FR 19729, May 6, 2019). The RA 
considered Chinook salmon landings to date and the calculations of the 
STT for rolling over quota on an impact-neutral basis for impacts to 
Sacramento River fall-run Chinook salmon. The RA determined inseason 
action was necessary to meet management objectives set preseason. 
Inseason action to modify quotas is authorized by 50 CFR 
660.409(b)(1)(i).
    Consultation date and participants: Consultation on inseason action 
#11 occurred on July 3, 2019. Representatives from NMFS, ODFW, CDFW, 
and the Council participated in this consultation.

Inseason Action #12

    Description of the action: Inseason action #12 modified the daily 
bag limit in the recreational fishery in the Neah Bay subarea to two 
salmon, only one of which can be a Chinook salmon; previously, two 
Chinook salmon could be retained.
    Effective dates: Inseason action #12 took effect July 8, 2019, and 
remained in effect until superseded by inseason action #14 on July 14, 
2019.
    Reason and authorization for the action: The purpose of inseason 
action

[[Page 56139]]

#12 was to avoid exceeding the subarea quota for Chinook salmon. This 
fishery opened on June 22, 2019, and had landed 28 percent of the 
subarea Chinook salmon guideline in less than two weeks. The RA 
considered Chinook salmon landings and fishery effort and determined 
inseason action was necessary to stay within the quota. Inseason action 
to modify recreational bag limits is authorized by 50 CFR 
660.409(b)(1)(iii).
    Consultation date and participants: Consultation on inseason action 
#12 occurred on July 3, 2019. Representatives from NMFS, WDFW, ODFW, 
and the Council participated in this consultation.

Inseason Action #13

    Description of the action: Inseason action #13 adjusted the July-
September quota in the commercial salmon fishery north of Cape Falcon 
to account for an impact-neutral rollover of unused quota from the May-
June fishery in the same area. The July-September quota was increased 
from 13,050 to 19,257 Chinook salmon.
    Effective dates: Inseason action #13 took effect July 12, 2019, and 
remained in effect through the scheduled closure of the fishery on 
September 30, 2019.
    Reason and authorization for the action: The purpose of inseason 
action #13 was to be consistent with the annual management measures, 
which state that any remaining portion of Chinook quotas in the north 
of Cape Falcon commercial fishery may be transferred inseason on an 
impact-neutral basis to the next open quota period (84 FR 19729, May 6, 
2019). The RA considered Chinook salmon landings to date and the 
calculations of the STT for rolling over quota on an impact-neutral 
basis for impacts to ESA-listed Lower Columbia River tule Chinook 
salmon and Puget Sound Chinook salmon. The RA determined inseason 
action was necessary to meet management objectives set preseason. 
Inseason action to modify quotas is authorized by 50 CFR 
660.409(b)(1)(i).
    Consultation date and participants: Consultation on inseason action 
#13 occurred on July 12, 2019. Representatives from NMFS, WDFW, ODFW, 
and the Council participated in this consultation.

Inseason Action #14

    Description of the action: Inseason action #14 modified the daily 
bag limit in the recreational ocean salmon fishery in the Neah Bay 
subarea to prohibit retention of Chinook salmon.
    Effective dates: Inseason action #14 superseded inseason action 
#12, above, on July 14, 2019, and remained in effect through the 
scheduled closure of the fishery on September 30, 2019.
    Reason and authorization for the action: The purpose of inseason 
action #14 was to avoid exceeding the subarea guideline for Chinook 
salmon. In the two weeks since this fishery opened on June 22, 2019, 
nearly 60 percent of the subarea guideline for Chinook salmon had been 
landed. WDFW recommended prohibiting retention of Chinook salmon to 
ensure sufficient impacts available to account for incidental mortality 
of Chinook salmon while the fishery targeted coho salmon for the 
remainder of the season. The RA considered Chinook salmon landings and 
fishery effort and determined inseason action was necessary to stay 
within the guideline and meet management objectives set preseason. 
Inseason action to modify recreational bag limits is authorized by 50 
CFR 660.409(b)(1)(iii).
    Consultation date and participants: Consultation on inseason action 
#14 occurred on July 12, 2019. Representatives from NMFS, WDFW, ODFW, 
and the Council participated in this consultation.

Inseason Action #15

    Description of the action: Inseason action #15 modified the daily 
bag limit in the recreational ocean salmon fishery in the La Push 
subarea, to two salmon per day, only one of which can be a Chinook 
salmon; previously, two Chinook salmon could be retained.
    Effective dates: Inseason action #15 took effect on July 15, 2019, 
and remained in effect through the scheduled closure of the fishery on 
September 30, 2019.
    Reason and authorization for the action: The purpose of inseason 
action #15 was to avoid exceeding the subarea guideline for Chinook 
salmon. This subarea had a small guideline for Chinook salmon and, with 
the prohibition of Chinook salmon retention in the neighboring Neah Bay 
subarea (see inseason action #14, above), there was concern that effort 
shift to La Push would quickly exhaust the available Chinook salmon 
guideline. The RA considered Chinook salmon landings and fishery effort 
and determined inseason action was necessary to stay within the 
guideline and meet management objectives set preseason. Inseason action 
to modify recreational bag limits is authorized by 50 CFR 
660.409(b)(1)(iii).
    Consultation date and participants: Consultation on inseason action 
#15 occurred on July 12, 2019. Representatives from NMFS, WDFW, ODFW, 
and the Council participated in this consultation.

Inseason Action #16

    Description of the action: Inseason action #16 reduced the landing 
and possession limit for halibut caught incidental to the commercial 
ocean salmon fishery from the U.S./Canada border to the U.S./Mexico 
border from 15 to 4 halibut per vessel per trip, all other restrictions 
remained as set preseason.
    Effective dates: Inseason action #16 superseded inseason action #7, 
above, on July 19, 2019, and remained in effect until superseded by 
inseason action #19, below, on July 27, 2019.
    Reason and authorization for the action: The purpose of inseason 
action #16 was to extend access to available incidental halibut 
allocation without exceeding the allocation. At the time of this 
inseason consultation, 10.6 percent of the halibut allocation remained 
available. The RA considered Chinook salmon and halibut landings and 
fishery effort and determined inseason action was necessary to extend 
access to available halibut and stay within the allocation. Inseason 
action to modify species that may be caught and landed during specific 
seasons and the establishment of modification of limited retention 
regulations are authorized by 50 CFR 660.409(b)(1)(ii).
    Consultation date and participants: Consultation on inseason action 
#16 occurred on July 17, 2019. Representatives from NMFS, WDFW, ODFW, 
CDFW, and the Council participated in this consultation.

Inseason Action #17

    Description of the action: Inseason action #17 increased the 
landing limit in the commercial ocean salmon fishery in the California 
KMZ from 20 to 50 Chinook salmon per vessel per day.
    Effective dates: Inseason action #17 took effect on July 19, 2019, 
and remained in effect until superseded by inseason action #24 on 
August 12, 2019.
    Reason and authorization for the action: The purpose of inseason 
action #17 was to provide increased access available Chinook salmon 
quota. Landings in the California KMZ in June and early July were low. 
At the time of this inseason consultation, the fishery had only landed 
two percent of the adjusted July quota. The RA considered Chinook 
salmon landings and fishery effort and determined inseason action was 
necessary to meet management goals set preseason. Inseason action to 
modify limited retention regulations is authorized by 50 CFR 
660.409(b)(1)(ii).

[[Page 56140]]

    Consultation date and participants: Consultation on inseason action 
#17 occurred on July 17, 2019. Representatives from NMFS, ODFW, CDFW, 
and the Council participated in this consultation.

Inseason Action #18

    Description of the action: Inseason action #18 imposed a landing 
limit of 125 Chinook salmon per vessel per landing week (set preseason 
as Thursday through Wednesday) in the commercial ocean salmon fishery 
from the U.S./Canada border to Cape Falcon, OR.
    Effective dates: Inseason action #18 took effect on July 19, 2019, 
and remained in effect until superseded by inseason action #25 on 
August 16, 2019.
    Reason and authorization for the action: The purpose of inseason 
action #18 was to set a precautionary landing limit on this fishery 
which opened July 1, 2019, with a Chinook salmon quota, but no landing 
limit, set preseason. The fishery landed 43 percent of the Chinook 
salmon quota in the first 17 days of the fishery. The RA considered 
Chinook salmon landings and fishery effort and determined inseason 
action was necessary to sustain season length while remaining within 
the quota. Inseason action to establish or modify limited retention 
regulations is authorized by 50 CFR 660.409(b)(1)(ii).
    Consultation date and participants: Consultation on inseason action 
#18 occurred on July 17, 2019. Representatives from NMFS, WDFW, ODFW, 
and the Council participated in this consultation.

Inseason Action #19

    Description of the action: Inseason action #19 reduced the landing 
and possession limit for halibut caught incidental to the commercial 
ocean salmon fishery from the U.S./Canada border to the U.S./Mexico 
border from 4 to 2 halibut per vessel per trip, all other restrictions 
remained as set preseason.
    Effective dates: Inseason action #19 superseded inseason action 
#16, above, on July 27, 2019, and remains in effect until all 2019 
commercial salmon fisheries close, unless superseded by inseason 
action.
    Reason and authorization for the action: The purpose of inseason 
action #19 was to extend access to available incidental halibut 
allocation without exceeding the allocation. At the time of this 
inseason consultation, 9.1 percent of the allocation remained 
available. The RA considered Chinook salmon and halibut landings and 
fishery effort and determined inseason action was necessary to extend 
access to available halibut and stay within the allocation. Inseason 
action to modify species that may be caught and landed during specific 
seasons and the establishment of modification of limited retention 
regulations are authorized by 50 CFR 660.409(b)(1)(ii).
    Consultation date and participants: Consultation on inseason action 
#19 occurred on July 24, 2019. Representatives from NMFS, WDFW, ODFW, 
CDFW, and the Council participated in this consultation.

Inseason Action #20

    Description of the action: Inseason action #20 adjusted the August 
quota in the commercial salmon fishery in the California KMZ to account 
for an impact-neutral rollover of unused quota from July. The August 
quota was adjusted from 2,000 Chinook salmon to 4,293 Chinook salmon.
    Effective dates: Inseason action #20 took effect August 2, 2019, 
and remained in effect through the scheduled closure of this fishery on 
August 31, 2019.
    Reason and authorization for the action: The purpose of inseason 
action #20 was to be consistent with the annual management measures, 
which state that any remaining portion of Chinook quotas in the 
California KMZ may be transferred inseason on an impact-neutral basis 
to the next open quota period (84 FR 19729, May 6, 2019). The RA 
considered Chinook salmon landings to date and the calculations of the 
STT for rolling over quota on an impact-neutral basis for impacts to 
Sacramento River fall-run Chinook salmon. The RA determined inseason 
action was necessary to meet management objectives set preseason. 
Inseason action to modify quotas is authorized by 50 CFR 
660.409(b)(1)(i).
    Consultation date and participants: Consultation on inseason action 
#20 occurred on August 2, 2019. Representatives from NMFS, ODFW, and 
CDFW. Council staff were unavailable to participate, but were notified 
of the RA's decision immediately after the consultation.

Inseason Action #21

    Description of the action: Inseason action #21 adjusted the August 
quota in the commercial salmon fishery in the Oregon KMZ to account for 
an impact-neutral rollover of unused quota from July. The August quota 
was adjusted from 1,200 Chinook salmon to 4,330 Chinook salmon.
    Effective dates: Inseason action #21 took effect August 2, 2019, 
and remained in effect through the scheduled closure of this fishery on 
August 29, 2019.
    Reason and authorization for the action: The purpose of inseason 
action #21 was to be consistent with the annual management measures, 
which state that any remaining portion of Chinook quotas in the Oregon 
KMZ may be transferred inseason on an impact-neutral basis to the next 
open quota period (84 FR 19729, May 6, 2019). The RA considered Chinook 
salmon landings to date and the calculations of the STT for rolling 
over quota on an impact-neutral basis for impacts to KRFC, impacts to 
age-4 KRFC which serves as a surrogate for impacts to California 
Coastal Chinook salmon (listed as threatened under the ESA), and fifty-
fifty tribal/nontribal sharing of KRFC allowable catch. The RA 
determined inseason action was necessary to meet management objectives 
set preseason. Inseason action to modify quotas is authorized by 50 CFR 
660.409(b)(1)(i).
    Consultation date and participants: Consultation on inseason action 
#21 occurred on August 2, 2019. Representatives from NMFS, ODFW, and 
CDFW. Council staff were unavailable to participate, but were notified 
of the RA's decision immediately after the consultation.

Inseason Action #22

    Description of the action: Inseason action #22 temporarily closed 
the commercial salmon fishery in the California KMZ.
    Effective dates: Inseason action #22 took effect on August 5, 2019, 
and remained in effect until superseded by inseason action #24 on 
August 12, 2019.
    Reason and authorization for the action: The purpose of inseason 
action #22 was to avoid exceeding the subarea quota for Chinook salmon. 
Landings in the first two open days of August were unexpectedly high 
and there was concern the quota would be exceeded. The RA considered 
Chinook salmon landings and fishery effort and determined inseason 
action was necessary to prevent exceeding the quota. Inseason action to 
modify fishing seasons is authorized by 50 CFR 660.409(b)(1)(i).
    Consultation date and participants: Consultation on inseason action 
#22 occurred on August 5, 2019. Representatives from NMFS, ODFW, CDFW, 
and the Council participated in this consultation.

Inseason Action #23

    Description of the action: Inseason action #23 modified the daily 
bag limit in the recreational ocean salmon fishery

[[Page 56141]]

in the Westport subarea to allow retention of two Chinook salmon per 
day. Previously, the two salmon per day landing limit allowed retention 
of only one Chinook salmon.
    Effective dates: Inseason action #23 took effect on August 10, 
2019, and remained in effect until the scheduled closure of the fishery 
on September 30, 2019.
    Reason and authorization for the action: The purpose of inseason 
action #23 was to allow access to available subarea guideline for 
Chinook salmon. At the time of this inseason consultation the Westport 
fishery had only landed 11 percent of the subarea guideline for Chinook 
salmon. The RA considered Chinook salmon landings and fishery effort 
and determined inseason action was necessary to meet management 
objectives set preseason. Inseason action to modify recreational bag 
limits is authorized by 50 CFR 660.409(b)(1)(iii).
    Consultation date and participants: Consultation on inseason action 
#23 occurred on August 7, 2019. Representatives from NMFS, WDFW, and 
ODFW participated in this consultation. Council staff were unavailable 
to participate, but were notified of the RA's decision immediately 
after the consultation.

Inseason Action #24

    Description of the action: Inseason action #24 reopened the 
commercial ocean salmon fishery in the California KMZ with a landing 
and possession limit of 15 Chinook salmon per vessel per day; the 
previous landing and possession limit was 50 Chinook salmon per vessel 
per day.
    Effective dates: Inseason action #24 took effect on August 12, 
2019, superseding inseason actions #17 and #22, above, to reopen the 
fishery and modify the landing and possession limit. Inseason action 
#24 remained in effect through the scheduled closure of the fishery on 
August 31, 2019.
    Reason and authorization for the action: The purpose of inseason 
action #24 was to allow access to available Chinook salmon quota 
without exceeding the quota. Subsequent to the temporary closure of 
this fishery on August 5, 2019 (see inseason action #22, above), 1,093 
Chinook salmon remained available on the August quota. CDFW recommended 
reopening the fishery to access this quota, but reducing the landing 
limit to keep landings within the quota. The RA considered Chinook 
salmon landings and fishery effort and determined inseason action was 
necessary to stay within the quota. Inseason action to modify fishing 
seasons is authorized by 50 CFR 660.409(b)(1)(i). Inseason action to 
modify limited retention regulations is authorized by 50 CFR 
660.409(b)(1)(ii).
    Consultation date and participants: Consultation on inseason action 
#24 occurred on August 8, 2019. Representatives from NMFS, ODFW, CDFW, 
and the Council participated in this consultation.

Inseason Action #25

    Description of the action: Inseason action #25 increased the 
landing limit from 125 to 160 Chinook salmon per vessel per landing 
week (set preseason as Thursday through Wednesday) in the commercial 
ocean salmon fishery from the U.S./Canada border to Cape Falcon, OR. 
The landing limit for coho in this fishery was unchanged.
    Effective dates: Inseason action #25 superseded inseason action #18 
on August 16, 2019, and remained in effect until the scheduled closure 
of this fishery on September 30, 2019.
    Reason and authorization for the action: The purpose of inseason 
action #25 was to provide access to available Chinook salmon quota 
without exceeding the quota. At the time of the inseason consultation, 
the fishery had 28 percent of the adjusted July-September Chinook 
salmon quota remaining. The RA considered Chinook salmon landings and 
fishery effort and determined inseason action was necessary to sustain 
season length while remaining within the quota. Inseason action to 
establish or modify limited retention regulations is authorized by 50 
CFR 660.409(b)(1)(ii).
    Consultation date and participants: Consultation on inseason action 
#25 occurred on August 15, 2019. Representatives from NMFS, WDFW, ODFW, 
and the Council participated in this consultation.

Inseason Action #26

    Description of the action: Inseason action #26 modified the quota 
for the recreational non-mark-selective coho fishery from Cape Falcon, 
OR, to Humbug Mountain, OR, from 9,000 to 15,640 non-mark-selective 
coho due to an impact-neutral rollover of remaining quota from the 
recreational mark-selective coho fishery that ended August 25, 2019.
    Effective dates: Inseason action #26 took effect on September 6, 
2019, and remained in effect through the scheduled closure of this 
fishery on September 30, 2019.
    Reason and authorization for the action: The purpose of inseason 
action #26 was to be consistent with the annual management measures, 
which state that any remainder of the mark-selective coho quota may be 
transferred inseason on an impact-neutral basis to the non-mark-
selective coho quota from Cape Falcon, OR, to Humbug Mountain, OR (84 
FR 19729, May 6, 2019). The RA considered Chinook salmon landings to 
date and the calculations of the STT for rolling over quota on an 
impact-neutral basis for impacts to Oregon Coast Natural coho. The RA 
determined inseason action was necessary to meet management objectives 
set preseason. Inseason action to modify quotas is authorized by 50 CFR 
660.409(b)(1)(i).
    Consultation date and participants: Consultation on inseason action 
#26 occurred on September 4, 2019. Representatives from NMFS, ODFW, 
CDFW and the Council participated in this consultation.

Inseason Action #27

    Description of the action: Inseason action #27 modified the open 
dates in the recreational non-mark-selective coho fishery from Cape 
Falcon, OR, to Humbug Mountain, OR. This action added Monday, September 
23, 2019 through Thursday, September 26, 2019, to the scheduled open 
dates for this fishery.
    Effective dates: Inseason action #27 took effect on September 23, 
2019, and remained in effect until the scheduled closure of this 
fishery on September 30, 2019.
    Reason and authorization for the action: The purpose of inseason 
action #27 was to provide access to available coho quota. With ten days 
remaining on the season, 41 percent of the non-mark-selective coho 
quota remained uncaught. The RA considered Chinook salmon landings and 
fishery effort and determined inseason action was necessary to be 
consistent with management objectives set preseason. Inseason action to 
modify fishing seasons is authorized by 50 CFR 660.409(b)(1)(i).
    Consultation date and participants: Consultation on inseason action 
#27 occurred on September 20, 2019. Representatives from NMFS, ODFW, 
CDFW, and the Council participated in this consultation.
    All other restrictions and regulations remain in effect as 
announced for the 2019 ocean salmon fisheries and 2020 salmon fisheries 
opening prior to May 1, 2020 (84 FR 19729, May 6, 2019), and as 
modified by prior inseason actions.
    The RA determined that the best available information indicated 
that Chinook salmon abundance forecasts, incidental halibut allocation, 
and expected fishery effort in 2019 supported the above inseason 
actions recommended by the states of

[[Page 56142]]

Washington, Oregon, and California. The states manage the fisheries in 
state waters adjacent to the areas of the U.S. exclusive economic zone 
consistent with these Federal actions. As provided by the inseason 
notice procedures of 50 CFR 660.411, actual notice of the described 
regulatory action was given, prior to the time the action was 
effective, by telephone hotline numbers 206-526-6667 and 800-662-9825, 
and by U.S. Coast Guard Notice to Mariners broadcasts on Channel 16 
VHF-FM and 2182 kHz.

Classification

    NOAA's Assistant Administrator (AA) for NMFS finds that good cause 
exists for this notification to be issued without affording prior 
notice and opportunity for public comment under 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B) 
because such notification would be impracticable. As previously noted, 
actual notice of the regulatory action was provided to fishers through 
telephone hotline and radio notification. This action complies with the 
requirements of the annual management measures for ocean salmon 
fisheries (84 FR 19729, May 6, 2019), the Pacific Coast Salmon Fishery 
Management Plan (FMP), and regulations implementing the FMP under 50 
CFR 660.409 and 660.411. Prior notice and opportunity for public 
comment was impracticable because NMFS and the state agencies had 
insufficient time to provide for prior notice and the opportunity for 
public comment between the time Chinook salmon catch and effort 
projections and abundance forecasts were developed and fisheries 
impacts were calculated, and the time the fishery modifications had to 
be implemented in order to ensure that fisheries are managed based on 
the best available scientific information, ensuring that conservation 
objectives and limits for impacts to salmon species listed under the 
ESA are not exceeded. The AA also finds good cause to waive the 30-day 
delay in effectiveness required under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3), as a delay in 
effectiveness of this action would allow fishing at levels inconsistent 
with the goals of the FMP and the current management measures.
    This action is authorized by 50 CFR 660.409 and 660.411 and is 
exempt from review under Executive Order 12866.

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

    Dated: October 15, 2019.
Alan D. Risenhoover,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-22772 Filed 10-18-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P