[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 124 (Thursday, June 27, 2024)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 53529-53530]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-14063]



[[Page 53529]]

=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 660

[Docket No. 240621-0173]
RIN 0648-BM47


Fisheries Off West Coast States; West Coast Salmon Fisheries; 
2024 Specifications and Management Measures; Correction

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

ACTION: Final rule; correcting amendment.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: NMFS established fishery management measures for the ocean 
salmon fisheries off Washington, Oregon, and California for the season 
beginning May 16, 2024, and anticipated to end May 15, 2025 (the 2024 
ocean salmon fishing season), under the authority of the Magnuson-
Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA). The final rule, 
published in the Federal Register on May 21, 2024, included errors in 
the management measures for the recreational and commercial ocean 
salmon fisheries in the area from the California/Oregon border to the 
U.S./Mexico border. This action corrects those errors by adding the 
language that was omitted from the May 21, 2024 rule.

DATES: Effective June 26, 2024.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shannon Penna at 562-980-4239.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The final rule published May 21, 2024 (89 FR 
44553), describes annual management measures for managing the harvest 
of salmon in federal waters. This correcting amendment corrects errors 
in the May 21, 2024 rule, by adding management measures for the 
recreational and commercial ocean salmon fisheries in the area from the 
Oregon/California border to the U.S./Mexico border. Specifically, the 
corrections are needed for the commercial ocean salmon fisheries from 
the Oregon/California border to Humboldt South Jetty (California 
Klamath Management Zone (KMZ)), recreational ocean salmon fisheries 
from the Oregon/California border to Latitude 40[deg]10' N, commercial 
and recreational ocean salmon fisheries from Latitude 40[deg]10' N to 
Point Arena (Fort Bragg), commercial and recreational ocean salmon 
fisheries from Point Arena to Pigeon Point (San Francisco), and 
commercial and recreational ocean salmon fisheries from Pigeon Point to 
the U.S./Mexico border (Monterey).

Need for Correction

    The 2024 salmon management measures (89 FR 44553, May 21, 2024), 
section 1, part A describes the commercial ocean salmon fisheries in 
the area from the Oregon/California border to the U.S./Mexico border. 
Section 2, part A describes the recreational ocean salmon fisheries in 
the area from the Oregon/California border to the U.S./Mexico border. 
The May 21, 2024 rule omitted certain management measures for 
commercial and recreational salmon fisheries off the coast of 
California, including Chinook salmon size limits.

Classification

    NMFS is issuing this rule pursuant to 305(d) of the MSA In a 
previous action taken pursuant to section 304(b), NMFS approved a 
Fishery Management Plan (FMP) that authorizes the agency to take this 
action pursuant to MSA section 305(d). See 50 CFR 660.408. These 
regulations are being promulgated under the authority of 16 U.S.C. 
1855(d) and 16 U.S.C. 773(c). The NOAA Assistant Administrator for 
Fisheries (AA) has determined that this final rule is consistent with 
the Pacific Coast Salmon FMP and other applicable law.
    The AA finds good cause under 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B) to waive the 
requirement for prior notice and opportunity for additional public 
comment for this action as notice and comment would be unnecessary and 
contrary to the public interest because this action simply corrects an 
error in the final rule. This correction does not affect the results of 
analyses conducted to support management decisions in the salmon 
fishery nor change the total catch of salmon. In addition, it is 
important that the errors be corrected as quickly as possible. The 
correction seeks to eliminate confusion on the part of the public that 
could prevent the prosecution of fisheries. Moreover, significant 
public participation took place in the process of developing the 
management measures through a process that involved state and Tribal 
governments and the Pacific Fishery Management Council. No aspect of 
this action is controversial and no change in operating practices in 
the fishery is required. For the same reasons, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 
553(d), the AA finds good cause to waive the 30-day delay in effective 
date.
    Because prior notice and opportunity for public comment are not 
required for 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 inapplicable.
    This final rule is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866.

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

Correction

    In FR Doc. 2024-11046 appearing on page 44553, in the Federal 
Register of Tuesday, May 21, 2024, the following correction is made:
    On page 44559, in the second column, the description of the 
commercial ocean salmon troll fishery in the area from the Oregon/
California border to the U.S./Mexico border is corrected to read as 
follows:

--Oregon/California border to Humboldt South Jetty (California KMZ)
    Closed in 2024.

    In 2025, the season will open May 1 through the earlier of May 31, 
or a 3,000 Chinook salmon quota. Chinook salmon minimum size limit of 
27 inches (68.5 cm) total length. Landing and possession limit of 25 
Chinook salmon per vessel per week. Open 5 days per week (Friday--
Tuesday). All salmon except coho salmon. Any remaining portion of 
Chinook salmon quotas may be transferred inseason on an impact neutral 
basis to the next open quota period. All fish caught in this area must 
be landed within the area, within 24 hours of any closure of the 
fishery and prior to fishing outside the area. Electronic Fish Tickets 
must be submitted within 24 hours of landing. Klamath Control Zone 
closed. See California State regulations for an additional closure 
adjacent to the Smith River.
    On page 44559, in the third column, the description of the 
commercial ocean salmon troll fishery in the area from the Oregon/
California border to the U.S./Mexico border is corrected to read as 
follows:

--Latitude 40[deg]10' N to Point Arena (Fort Bragg)

    Closed in 2024.
    In 2025, the season opens April 16 for all salmon except coho 
salmon. Chinook salmon minimum size limit of 27 inches (68.5 cm) total 
length. Gear restrictions same as in 2022. Harvest guidelines and 
vessel-based landing and possession limits may be considered inseason. 
Inseason action to close fisheries, modify season dates, or modify 
vessel-based landing and possession limits may be considered when total 
commercial harvest in this management area is approaching its harvest 
guideline. Electronic Fish Tickets must

[[Page 53530]]

be submitted within 24 hours of landing.

--Point Arena to Pigeon Point (San Francisco)

    Closed in 2024.
    In 2025, the season opens May 1 for all salmon except coho salmon. 
Chinook salmon minimum size limit of 27 inches (68.5 cm) total length). 
Gear restrictions same as in 2022. Harvest guidelines and vessel-based 
landing and possession limits may be considered inseason. Inseason 
action to close fisheries, modify season dates, or modify vessel-based 
landing and possession limits may be considered when total commercial 
harvest in this management area is approaching its harvest guideline. 
Electronic Fish Tickets must be submitted within 24 hours of landing.

--Pigeon Point to the U.S./Mexico border (Monterey)

    Closed in 2024.
    In 2025, the season opens May 1 for all salmon except coho salmon. 
Chinook salmon minimum size limit of 27 inches (68.5 cm) total length. 
Gear restrictions same as in 2022. Harvest guidelines and vessel-based 
landing and possession limits may be considered inseason. Inseason 
action to close fisheries, modify season dates, or modify vessel-based 
landing and possession limits may be considered when total commercial 
harvest in this management area is approaching its harvest guideline. 
Electronic Fish Tickets must be submitted within 24 hours of landing.
    On page 44562, in the third column, the description of the 
recreational ocean salmon fishery in the area from the Oregon/
California border to the U.S./Mexico border is correct to read as 
follows:

--Oregon/California border to latitude 40[deg]10' N (California KMZ)

    Closed in 2024.
    In 2025, the season opens April 5 for all salmon except coho 
salmon, two salmon per day. Chinook salmon minimum size limit of 20 
inches (50.8 cm) total length. Gear restrictions same as in 2022. 
Harvest guidelines and bag limits may be considered inseason. Inseason 
action to close fisheries, modify season dates, or modify the bag limit 
may be considered when total sport harvest is approaching a harvest 
guideline.

--Latitude 40[deg]10' N to Point Arena (Fort Bragg)

    Closed in 2024.
    In 2025, the season opens April 5 for all salmon except coho 
salmon, two salmon per day. Chinook salmon minimum size limit of 20 
inches (50.8 cm) total length. Gear restrictions same as in 2022. 
Harvest guidelines and bag limits may be considered inseason. Inseason 
action to close fisheries, modify season dates, or modify the bag limit 
may be considered when total sport harvest is approaching a harvest 
guideline.

--Point Arena to Pigeon Point (San Francisco)

    Closed in 2024.
    In 2025, the season opens April 5 for all salmon except coho 
salmon, two salmon per day. Chinook salmon minimum size limit of 24 
inches (61.0 cm) total length. Gear restrictions same as in 2022. 
Harvest guidelines and bag limits may be considered inseason. Inseason 
action to close fisheries, modify season dates, or modify the bag limit 
may be considered when total sport harvest is approaching a harvest 
guideline.

--Pigeon Point to U.S./Mexico border (Monterey)

    Closed in 2024.
    In 2025, the season opens April 5 for all salmon except coho 
salmon, two salmon per day. Chinook salmon minimum size limit of 24 
inches (61.0 cm) total length. Gear restrictions same as in 2022. 
Harvest guidelines and bag limits may be considered inseason. Inseason 
action to close fisheries, modify season dates, or modify the bag limit 
may be considered when total sport harvest is approaching a harvest 
guideline.

    Dated: June 21, 2024.
Samuel D. Rauch III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-14063 Filed 6-26-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P