Fisheries Off West Coast States and in the Western Pacific; West Coast Salmon Fisheries; Inseason Action #7 - Adjustments of the Recreational Fishery from U.S.-Canada Border to Cape Falcon, Oregon, 56896-56897 [E6-15867]

Download as PDF 56896 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 188 / Thursday, September 28, 2006 / Rules and Regulations DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 660 [Docket No. 060427113–6113–01; I.D.092106D] Fisheries Off West Coast States and in the Western Pacific; West Coast Salmon Fisheries; Inseason Action #7 – Adjustments of the Recreational Fishery from U.S.-Canada Border to Cape Falcon, Oregon National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Modification of closed areas and quota; request for comments. AGENCY: SUMMARY: NMFS announces that the recreational fishery from the U.S.Canada Border to Cape Falcon, OR was modified, effective Saturday, August 26, 2006, by transferring 2000 coho from the Westport subarea quota with a resulting increase in the La Push subarea quota of 1,140. This modified the Westport subarea quota for marked coho to 25,603 and the La Push subarea quota for marked coho to 3029. Also, the area from Tillamook Head to Cape Falcon, OR within the Columbia River subarea was open effective Saturday, August 26, 2006. This area will be open seven days per week with a modified daily bad limit as follows: all salmon, two fish per day; all retained coho must have a healed adipose fin clip. This area will remain open until September 30 or the coho or Chinook subarea quota is taken, whichever is first. This action was necessary to conform to the 2006 management goals, and the intended effect was to allow the fishery to operate within the seasons and quotas specified in the 2006 annual management measures. The quota transfer and opening of the area from Tillamook Head to Cape Falcon, OR were effective 0001 hours local time (l.t.), Saturday, August, 26, 2006. These modifications were effective until the Chinook or coho quotas are taken or 2359 hours l.t. September 17 for La Push and Westport subareas and September 30 for the Columbia River subarea, as announced for the 2006 ocean salmon fishing regulations. Once closed, the fisheries will remain closed until opened through an additional inseason action for the west coast salmon fisheries, which will be published in the Federal Register, or until the effective date of the next jlentini on PROD1PC65 with RULES DATES: VerDate Aug<31>2005 17:21 Sep 27, 2006 Jkt 208001 scheduled open period announced in the 2006 annual management measures. Comments will be accepted through October 13, 2006. ADDRESSES: Comments on these actions must be mailed to D. Robert Lohn, Regional Administrator, Northwest Region, NMFS, NOAA, 7600 Sand Point Way NE., Bldg. 1, Seattle, WA 98115– 0070; or faxed to 206–526–6376. Comments can also be submitted via email at the 2006salmonIA7.nwr@noaa.gov address, or through the internet at the Federal eRulemaking Portal: https:// www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments, and include the docket number 060427113–6113–01 and/or I.D. 092106D] in the subject line of the message. Information relevant to this document is available for public review during business hours at the Office of the Regional Administrator, Northwest Region, NMFS. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sarah McAvinchey, 206–526–4323. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In the 2006 annual management measures for ocean salmon fisheries (71 FR 26254, May 4, 2006), NMFS announced the recreational fisheries: the area from Cape Alava to Queets River, WA (La Push Subarea) opened June 30 through the earlier of September 17 or a 1,889– marked coho subarea quota with a subarea guideline of 1,300 Chinook; the area from Queets River to Leadbetter Point, WA (Westport Subarea) opened July 3 through the earlier of September 17 or a 27,603–marked coho subarea quota with a subarea guideline of 18,100 Chinook; the area from Leadbetter Point, WA to Cape Falcon, OR (Columbia River Subarea) opened July 3 through the earlier of September 30 or a 36,600– marked coho subarea quota with a subarea guideline of 8,300 Chinook, with the area from Cape Falcon to Tillamook Head being closed beginning August 1. The La Push Subarea was opened Tuesday through Saturday, and the Westport and Columbia River Subareas were opened Sunday through Thursday. All subareas were restricted to a Chinook minimum size limit of 24 inches (61.0 cm) total length. In addition, the bag limits for these subareas were for all salmon, two fish per day, no more than one of which may be a Chinook, with all retained coho required to have a healed adipose fin clip. Previously, inseason action #4, which was effective Friday, August 11, 2006, modified the daily bag limit in these areas to all salmon, two fish per day and extended the number of fishing days in these areas to seven days per PO 00000 Frm 00044 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 week, with the Neah Bay subarea having no chum retention through September 17, 2006. On August 25, 2006, the Regional Administrator (RA) consulted with representatives of the Pacific Fishery Management Council, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, and Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife by conference call. It was determined that the catch was less than anticipated in the Columbia river subarea and that provisions designed to slow the catch could be modified. It was concluded that the transfer of marked coho quota from Westport to La Push, would benefit the La Push area fishery while not having an adverse effect on Westport fisheries. As a result, on August 25, 2006, the states recommended, and the RA concurred, that effective Saturday, August 26, 2006, there will be a transfer of 2000 coho from the Westport subarea with a resulting increase in the La Push subarea quota of 1,140. This modified the Westport subarea quota for marked coho to 25,603 and the La Push subarea quota for marked coho to 3029. Also, the area from Tillamook Head to Cape Falcon, OR within the Columbia River subarea was opened effective Saturday, August 26. This area was open seven days per week with a modified daily bag limit as follows: all salmon, two fish per day; all retained coho must have a healed adipose fin clip. This area remained open until September 30 or the coho or Chinook subarea quota is taken, whichever is first. These actions were necessary to conform to the 2006 management goals, and the intended effect was to allow the fishery to operate within the seasons and quotas specified in the 2006 annual management measures. Modification in recreational quota is authorized by regulations at 50 CFR 660.409(b)(1)(i) and modification of closed areas is authorized at 50 CFR 660.409(b)(1)(v). The RA determined that the best available information indicated that the catch and effort data, and projections, supported the above inseason actions recommended by the states. The states manage the fisheries in state waters adjacent to the areas of the U.S. exclusive economic zone in accordance with these Federal actions. As provided by the inseason notice procedures of 50 CFR 660.411, actual notice to fishers of the already described regulatory actions were given, prior to the date the action was effective, by telephone hotline number 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. These actions do not apply to other fisheries that may be operating in other areas. E:\FR\FM\28SER1.SGM 28SER1 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 188 / Thursday, September 28, 2006 / Rules and Regulations Classification DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA (AA), 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 actions was provided to fishers through telephone hotline and radio notification. These actions comply with the requirements of the annual management measures for ocean salmon fisheries (71 FR 26254, May 4, 2006), the West Coast Salmon Plan, and regulations implementing the West Coast Salmon Plan 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 the fishery catch and effort data were collected to determine the extent of the fisheries, and the time the fishery modifications had to be implemented in order to allow fishers access to the available fish at the time the fish were available. The AA also finds good cause to waive the 30–day delay in effectiveness required under U.S.C. 553(d)(3), as a delay in effectiveness of these actions would limit fishers appropriately controlled access to available fish during the scheduled fishing season by unnecessarily maintaining two restrictions. These actions are authorized by 50 CFR 660.409 and 660.411 and are exempt from review under Executive Order 12866. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. September 22, 2006. Alan D. Risenhoover, Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. E6–15867 Filed 9–27–06; 8:45 am] jlentini on PROD1PC65 with RULES BILLING CODE 3510–22–S VerDate Aug<31>2005 17:21 Sep 27, 2006 Jkt 208001 50 CFR Part 660 [Docket No. 060427113–6113–01; I.D. 092006E] Fisheries Off West Coast States and in the Western Pacific; West Coast Salmon Fisheries; Inseason Actions #5 and #6 – Modifications of the Commercial Salmon Fishery from U.S.Canada Border, to Cape Falcon, Oregon National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Modification of fishing seasons, landing and possession limits and gear restrictions; request for comments. AGENCY: SUMMARY: NMFS announces that the commercial fishery from the U.S.Canada Border, to Cape Falcon, Oregon was modified by two inseason actions. Inseason action #5 increased the landing and possession limit to 60 Chinook per vessel per open period effective Saturday, July 29, 2006. Inseason action #6 increased the landing and possession limit for Chinook in the area north of Cape Falcon, OR to the US Canada border to 80 fish per vessel per open period, increased the number of fishing days to 4 days, Saturday through Tuesday, and eliminated the 6 inch (15.24 cm) plug gear restriction effective Saturday, August 19, 2006. All other restrictions remained in effect as announced for the 2006 Ocean Salmon Fisheries. These actions were necessary to conform to the 2006 management goals, and the intended effect was to allow the fishery to operate within the seasons and quotas specified in the 2006 annual management measures. DATES: Inseason action #5, the modified landing and possession limit of 60 Chinook per open period in the area from the U.S.-Canada border to Cape Falcon, Oregon, was effective 0001 hours local time (l.t.), Saturday, July, 29, 2006. Inseason action #6, which increased the landing and possession limit for Chinook to 80 fish per vessel per open period for the remainder of the season, increased the number of fishing days to 4 days, Saturday through Tuesday, and eliminated the 6 inch (15.24 cm) plug gear restriction, was effective 0001 hours local time (l.t.) Saturday, August 19, 2006. These modifications were effective until the Chinook or coho quotas were taken, or 2359 hours l.t., September 15, 2006, PO 00000 Frm 00045 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 56897 which ever was earlier. After this time the fisheries remain closed until opened through an additional inseason action for the west coast salmon fisheries, which would be published in the Federal Register, or until the effective date of the next scheduled open period announced in the 2006 annual management measures. Comments will be accepted through October 13, 2006. ADDRESSES: Comments on these actions must be mailed to D. Robert Lohn, Regional Administrator, Northwest Region, NMFS, NOAA, 7600 Sand Point Way N.E., Bldg. 1, Seattle, WA 98115– 0070; or faxed to 206–526–6376. Comments can also be submitted via email at the 2006salmonIA5l6.nwr@noaa.gov address, or through the internet at the Federal eRulemaking Portal: https:// www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments, and include Docket number 060427113– 6113–01 and/or I.D. 092006E] in the subject line of the message. Information relevant to this document is available for public review during business hours at the Office of the Regional Administrator, Northwest Region, NMFS. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sarah McAvinchey 206–526–4323. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In the 2006 annual management measures for ocean salmon fisheries (71 FR 26254, May 4, 2006), NMFS announced the commercial fisheries in the area from the U.S.-Canada Border to Cape Falcon, Oregon. The fishery was open July 15 through the earlier of September 15 or an 11,550 preseason Chinook guideline or a 6,800–marked coho quota. The area from Cape Flattery and Columbia Control Zones closed; open Saturday through Tuesday July 15 through August 1; all salmon; landing and possession limit of 35 Chinook and 35 marked coho per vessel per 4–day open period; open August 5 through September 15; Saturday through Monday; all salmon except no chum retention north of Cape Alava, WA, in August and September; landing and possession limit of 30 Chinook and 40 marked coho per vessel per 3–day open period, gear restricted to 6 inch plugs or longer. On July 27, 2006, the Regional Administrator (RA) consulted with representatives of the Pacific Fishery Management Council, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, and Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife by conference call. Information related to catch to date, the Chinook and coho catch rates, and effort data indicated E:\FR\FM\28SER1.SGM 28SER1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 188 (Thursday, September 28, 2006)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 56896-56897]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-15867]



[[Page 56896]]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 660

[Docket No. 060427113-6113-01; I.D.092106D]


Fisheries Off West Coast States and in the Western Pacific; West 
Coast Salmon Fisheries; Inseason Action 7 - Adjustments of the 
Recreational Fishery from U.S.-Canada Border to Cape Falcon, Oregon

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

ACTION: Modification of closed areas and quota; request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: NMFS announces that the recreational fishery from the U.S.-
Canada Border to Cape Falcon, OR was modified, effective Saturday, 
August 26, 2006, by transferring 2000 coho from the Westport subarea 
quota with a resulting increase in the La Push subarea quota of 1,140. 
This modified the Westport subarea quota for marked coho to 25,603 and 
the La Push subarea quota for marked coho to 3029. Also, the area from 
Tillamook Head to Cape Falcon, OR within the Columbia River subarea was 
open effective Saturday, August 26, 2006. This area will be open seven 
days per week with a modified daily bad limit as follows: all salmon, 
two fish per day; all retained coho must have a healed adipose fin 
clip. This area will remain open until September 30 or the coho or 
Chinook subarea quota is taken, whichever is first. This action was 
necessary to conform to the 2006 management goals, and the intended 
effect was to allow the fishery to operate within the seasons and 
quotas specified in the 2006 annual management measures.

DATES: The quota transfer and opening of the area from Tillamook Head 
to Cape Falcon, OR were effective 0001 hours local time (l.t.), 
Saturday, August, 26, 2006. These modifications were effective until 
the Chinook or coho quotas are taken or 2359 hours l.t. September 17 
for La Push and Westport subareas and September 30 for the Columbia 
River subarea, as announced for the 2006 ocean salmon fishing 
regulations. Once closed, the fisheries will remain closed until opened 
through an additional inseason action for the west coast salmon 
fisheries, which will be published in the Federal Register, or until 
the effective date of the next scheduled open period announced in the 
2006 annual management measures.
    Comments will be accepted through October 13, 2006.

ADDRESSES: Comments on these actions must be mailed to D. Robert Lohn, 
Regional Administrator, Northwest Region, NMFS, NOAA, 7600 Sand Point 
Way NE., Bldg. 1, Seattle, WA 98115-0070; or faxed to 206-526-6376. 
Comments can also be submitted via e-mail at the 
2006salmonIA7.nwr@noaa.gov address, or through the internet at the 
Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the 
instructions for submitting comments, and include the docket number 
060427113-6113-01 and/or I.D. 092106D] in the subject line of the 
message. Information relevant to this document is available for public 
review during business hours at the Office of the Regional 
Administrator, Northwest Region, NMFS.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sarah McAvinchey, 206-526-4323.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In the 2006 annual management measures for 
ocean salmon fisheries (71 FR 26254, May 4, 2006), NMFS announced the 
recreational fisheries: the area from Cape Alava to Queets River, WA 
(La Push Subarea) opened June 30 through the earlier of September 17 or 
a 1,889-marked coho subarea quota with a subarea guideline of 1,300 
Chinook; the area from Queets River to Leadbetter Point, WA (Westport 
Subarea) opened July 3 through the earlier of September 17 or a 27,603-
marked coho subarea quota with a subarea guideline of 18,100 Chinook; 
the area from Leadbetter Point, WA to Cape Falcon, OR (Columbia River 
Subarea) opened July 3 through the earlier of September 30 or a 36,600-
marked coho subarea quota with a subarea guideline of 8,300 Chinook, 
with the area from Cape Falcon to Tillamook Head being closed beginning 
August 1. The La Push Subarea was opened Tuesday through Saturday, and 
the Westport and Columbia River Subareas were opened Sunday through 
Thursday. All subareas were restricted to a Chinook minimum size limit 
of 24 inches (61.0 cm) total length. In addition, the bag limits for 
these subareas were for all salmon, two fish per day, no more than one 
of which may be a Chinook, with all retained coho required to have a 
healed adipose fin clip. Previously, inseason action 4, which 
was effective Friday, August 11, 2006, modified the daily bag limit in 
these areas to all salmon, two fish per day and extended the number of 
fishing days in these areas to seven days per week, with the Neah Bay 
subarea having no chum retention through September 17, 2006.
    On August 25, 2006, the Regional Administrator (RA) consulted with 
representatives of the Pacific Fishery Management Council, Washington 
Department of Fish and Wildlife, and Oregon Department of Fish and 
Wildlife by conference call. It was determined that the catch was less 
than anticipated in the Columbia river subarea and that provisions 
designed to slow the catch could be modified. It was concluded that the 
transfer of marked coho quota from Westport to La Push, would benefit 
the La Push area fishery while not having an adverse effect on Westport 
fisheries. As a result, on August 25, 2006, the states recommended, and 
the RA concurred, that effective Saturday, August 26, 2006, there will 
be a transfer of 2000 coho from the Westport subarea with a resulting 
increase in the La Push subarea quota of 1,140. This modified the 
Westport subarea quota for marked coho to 25,603 and the La Push 
subarea quota for marked coho to 3029. Also, the area from Tillamook 
Head to Cape Falcon, OR within the Columbia River subarea was opened 
effective Saturday, August 26. This area was open seven days per week 
with a modified daily bag limit as follows: all salmon, two fish per 
day; all retained coho must have a healed adipose fin clip. This area 
remained open until September 30 or the coho or Chinook subarea quota 
is taken, whichever is first.
    These actions were necessary to conform to the 2006 management 
goals, and the intended effect was to allow the fishery to operate 
within the seasons and quotas specified in the 2006 annual management 
measures. Modification in recreational quota is authorized by 
regulations at 50 CFR 660.409(b)(1)(i) and modification of closed areas 
is authorized at 50 CFR 660.409(b)(1)(v).
    The RA determined that the best available information indicated 
that the catch and effort data, and projections, supported the above 
inseason actions recommended by the states. The states manage the 
fisheries in state waters adjacent to the areas of the U.S. exclusive 
economic zone in accordance with these Federal actions. As provided by 
the inseason notice procedures of 50 CFR 660.411, actual notice to 
fishers of the already described regulatory actions were given, prior 
to the date the action was effective, by telephone hotline number 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. These actions do not 
apply to other fisheries that may be operating in other areas.

[[Page 56897]]

Classification

    The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA (AA), 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 actions was provided 
to fishers through telephone hotline and radio notification. These 
actions comply with the requirements of the annual management measures 
for ocean salmon fisheries (71 FR 26254, May 4, 2006), the West Coast 
Salmon Plan, and regulations implementing the West Coast Salmon Plan 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 the fishery catch and effort data were 
collected to determine the extent of the fisheries, and the time the 
fishery modifications had to be implemented in order to allow fishers 
access to the available fish at the time the fish were available. The 
AA also finds good cause to waive the 30-day delay in effectiveness 
required under U.S.C. 553(d)(3), as a delay in effectiveness of these 
actions would limit fishers appropriately controlled access to 
available fish during the scheduled fishing season by unnecessarily 
maintaining two restrictions. These actions are authorized by 50 CFR 
660.409 and 660.411 and are exempt from review under Executive Order 
12866.

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

    September 22, 2006.
Alan D. Risenhoover,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. E6-15867 Filed 9-27-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S
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