Fisheries Off West Coast States; Modifications of the West Coast Commercial and Recreational Salmon Fisheries; Inseason Actions #1, #2, #3, and #4, 17033-17034 [2011-7242]
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Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 59 / Monday, March 28, 2011 / Rules and Regulations
Classification
This action is taken under 50 CFR
part 648 and is exempt from review
under Executive Order 12866.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: March 23, 2011.
Margo Schulze-Haugen,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2011–7233 Filed 3–23–11; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
50 CFR Part 660
[Docket No. 100218107–0199–01]
RIN 0648–XA293
Fisheries Off West Coast States;
Modifications of the West Coast
Commercial and Recreational Salmon
Fisheries; Inseason Actions #1, #2, #3,
and #4
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Modification of fishing seasons,
gear restrictions, and landing and
possession limits; request for comments.
AGENCY:
NOAA Fisheries announces
four inseason actions in the ocean
salmon fisheries. Inseason action #1
modified the commercial fishery in the
area from Cape Falcon, Oregon to
Humbug Mountain, Oregon. Inseason
action #2 modified the commercial
fishery in the area from Humbug
Mountain, Oregon to the Oregon/
California Border. Inseason action #3
modified the recreational fishery in the
area from Horse Mountain, California to
Point Arena, California. Inseason action
#4 modified the recreational fishery in
the area from Point Arena, California to
the U.S./Mexico Border.
DATES: Inseason actions #1 and #2 were
effective on March 15, 2011. Inseason
actions #3 and #4 are effective April 2,
2011. Inseason actions #1, #2, #3, and
#4 remain in effect until the opening of
the 2011 salmon season announced in
the 2011 annual management measures
or until modified through additional
inseason action, which will publish in
the Federal Register. Comments will be
accepted through April 12, 2011.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments,
identified by RIN 0648–XA293, by any
one of the following methods:
jdjones on DSK8KYBLC1PROD with RULES
SUMMARY:
VerDate Mar<15>2010
15:20 Mar 25, 2011
Jkt 223001
• Electronic Submissions: Submit all
electronic public comments via the
Federal eRulemaking Portal https://
www.regulations.gov.
• Fax: 206–526–6736, Attn: Peggy
Busby.
• Mail: 7600 Sand Point Way, NE.,
Building 1, Seattle, WA 98115.
Instructions: All comments received
are a part of the public record and will
generally be posted to https://
www.regulations.gov without change.
All Personal Identifying Information (for
example, name, address, etc.)
voluntarily submitted by the commenter
may be publicly accessible. Do not
submit Confidential Business
Information or otherwise sensitive or
protected information.
NMFS will accept anonymous
comments (enter N/A in the required
fields, if you wish to remain
anonymous). You may submit
attachments to electronic comments in
Microsoft Word, Excel, WordPerfect, or
Adobe PDF file formats only.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Peggy Busby, by phone at 206–526–
4323.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
In the 2010 annual management
measures for ocean salmon fisheries
(75 FR 24482, May 5, 2010), NMFS
announced the commercial and
recreational fisheries in the area from
the U.S./Canada Border to the U.S./
Mexico Border, beginning May 1, 2010,
and 2011 salmon seasons opening
earlier than May 1, 2011.
The Regional Administrator (RA)
consulted with representatives of the
Council, Oregon Department of Fish and
Wildlife and California Department of
Fish and Game on March 9, 2011. The
information considered during this
consultation related to Chinook and
coho salmon 2010 spawning
escapements, 2011 abundance forecasts,
and annual management objectives.
Inseason action #1 delayed the
scheduled opening for the commercial
salmon fishery from Cape Falcon,
Oregon to Humbug Mountain, Oregon,
previously scheduled for March 15,
2011, to April 15, 2011. Seven days per
week. All salmon except coho. All
vessels fishing in the area must land
their fish in the State of Oregon. See
gear restrictions and definitions (C.2,
C.3 in 75 FR 24482) and Oregon State
regulations for a description of special
regulations at the mouth of Tillamook
Bay. This action was taken to comply
with conservation constraints. On
March 9, 2011, the states recommended
this action and the RA concurred;
inseason action #1 took effect on March
15, 2011. Modification of quota and/or
PO 00000
Frm 00015
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
17033
fishing seasons is authorized by 50 CFR
660.409(b)(1)(i).
Inseason action #2 cancelled the
commercial fishery from Humbug
Mountain, Oregon to the Oregon/
California Border previously scheduled
to open on March 15, 2011. This action
was taken to comply with conservation
constraints. On March 9, 2011, the states
recommended this action and the RA
concurred; inseason action #2 took
effect on March 15, 2011. Modification
of quota and/or fishing seasons is
authorized by 50 CFR 660.409(b)(1)(i).
Inseason action #3 established a
recreational fishery from Horse
Mountain, California to Point Arena
(Fort Bragg), opening April 2, 2011.
Seven days per week. All salmon except
coho, two fish per day (C.1 in 75 FR
24482). Chinook minimum size limit of
24 inches total length. The same gear
restrictions as in 2010 (C.2, C.3 in 75 FR
24482). This action was taken to provide
access to fish available for harvest
within conservation constraints. On
March 9, 2011, the states recommended
this action and the RA concurred;
inseason action #3 will take effect April
2, 2011. Modification of quota and/or
fishing seasons is authorized by 50 CFR
660.409(b)(1)(i).
Inseason action #4 established a
recreational fishery from Point Arena,
California to the California/Mexico
Border, opening April 2, 2011. Seven
days per week. All salmon except coho,
two fish per day (C.1 in 75 FR 24482).
Chinook minimum size limit of 24
inches total length. The same gear
restrictions as in 2010 (C.2, C.3 in 75 FR
24482). This action was taken to provide
access to fish available for harvest
within conservation constraints. On
March 9, 2011, the states recommended
this action and the RA concurred;
inseason action #4 will take effect April
2, 2011. Modification of quota and/or
fishing seasons is authorized by 50 CFR
660.409(b)(1)(i).
All other restrictions and regulations
remain in effect as announced for the
2010 Ocean Salmon Fisheries and
previous inseason actions.
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 of the
described regulatory actions was given,
prior to the date the action was
effective, by telephone hotline number
206–526–6667 and 800–662–9825, and
E:\FR\FM\28MRR1.SGM
28MRR1
17034
Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 59 / Monday, March 28, 2011 / Rules and Regulations
by U.S. Coast Guard Notice to Mariners
broadcasts on Channel 16 VHF–FM and
2182 kHz.
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 (75 FR 24482, May 5, 2010),
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 ensure that fisheries are
managed based on the best available
scientific information, thus allowing
fishers access to the available fish at the
time the fish were available while
ensuring that quotas are not exceeded.
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 allow fishing at levels
inconsistent with the goals of the
Salmon Fishery Management Plan and
the current management measures.
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.
Dated: March 23, 2011.
Margo Schulze-Haugen,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2011–7242 Filed 3–25–11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 101126521–0640–02]
RIN 0648–XZ90
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic
Zone Off Alaska; Bering Sea and
Aleutian Islands; Final 2011 and 2012
Harvest Specifications for Groundfish;
Correction
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Final rule; closures; correction.
AGENCY:
The National Marine
Fisheries Service (NMFS) is correcting a
final rule that published on March 1,
2011, implementing the final 2011 and
2012 harvest specifications and
prohibited species catch allowances for
the groundfish fishery of the Bering Sea
and Aleutian Islands Management Area
(BSAI). Two tables within the document
contained errors.
DATES: Effective from 1200 hrs, Alaska
local time (A.l.t.), March 1, 2011,
through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31,
2012.
SUMMARY:
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Steve Whitney, 907–586–7269.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Need for Correction
NMFS published the Final 2011 and
2012 BSAI Harvest Specifications in the
Federal Register on Tuesday, March 1,
2011 (76 FR 11139). Tables providing
information on 2011 and 2012 Directed
Fishing Closures (Table 10) and the
Final 2011 and 2012 American Fisheries
Act Catcher Vessel BSAI Groundfish
Sideboard Limits (Table 13) contained a
number of minor errors. In Table 10 on
page 11154, NMFS inadvertently listed
an incidental catch allowance (ICA) of
rock sole at ‘‘10,000’’ metric tons (mt),
instead of the correct number of ‘‘5,000’’
mt. In addition, Federal Register
formatting issues caused misalignment
in Tables 10 and 13 and affected the
information contained in those tables. In
Table 10 on page 11154, the Federal
Register listed the phrase ‘‘ICA rock
sole’’ in the ‘‘sector’’ column rather than
the ‘‘species’’ column. In Table 13 on
page 11156, the Federal Register shifted
seven lines upward by one row in the
following columns: ‘‘Ratio of 1995–1997
TAC’’; ‘‘2011 initial TAC’’; ‘‘2011 AFA
catcher vessel sideboard limits’’; ‘‘2012
initial TAC’’; and ‘‘2012 AFA catcher
vessel sideboard limits’’. As a result of
this error, Table 13 contains incorrect
information on Pacific cod sideboard
limits for the following gears and
seasons: ‘‘Jig gear’’; ‘‘Hook and line
Catcher Vessels (CV)’’ for ‘‘Jan 1–Jun 10’’;
‘‘Pot gear CV’’ for ‘‘Jan 1–Jun 10’’; and
‘‘Trawl gear CV’’ for ‘‘Jan 20–Apr 1’’.
Table 13 also contains incorrect
information on Atka mackerel sideboard
limits for the following areas and
seasons: ‘‘Eastern AI/BS’’ for ‘‘Jan 1–Jun
10’’; ‘‘Central AI’’ for ‘‘Jan 1–Jun 10’’; and
‘‘Central AI’’ for ‘‘Jan 1–Jun 10’’. NMFS’
corrections to Table 10 and Table 13 are
listed below.
The Assistant Administrator for
Fisheries, NOAA (AA), finds good cause
to waive the requirement to provide
prior notice and opportunity for public
comment pursuant to the authority set
forth at 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B) as such
requirement is impracticable and
contrary to the public interest. This
correction notice makes only minor
changes and does not change operating
practices in the fisheries. Corrections
should be made as soon as possible to
avoid confusion for participants in the
fisheries.
The AA also finds good cause to
waive the 30-day delay in the effective
date of this action under 5 U.S.C.
553(d)(3). This finding is based upon
the reasons provided above for waiver of
prior notice and opportunity for public
comment.
Correction
On pages 11153, 11154, and 11156,
Tables 10 and 13 are corrected to read
as follows:
TABLE 10—2011 AND 2012 DIRECTED FISHING CLOSURES 1
jdjones on DSK8KYBLC1PROD with RULES
[Groundfish and halibut amounts are in metric tons. Crab amounts are in number of animals]
Area
Sector
Species
Bogoslof District ...........................
Aleutian Islands subarea .............
All ...............................................
All ...............................................
Eastern Aleutian District/Bering
Sea.
Non-amendment 80 and BSAI
trawl limited access.
2011 Incidental
catch allowance
Pollock .......................................
ICA pollock ................................
‘‘Other rockfish’’ .........................
ICA Atka mackerel ....................
VerDate Mar<15>2010
15:20 Mar 25, 2011
Jkt 223001
PO 00000
Frm 00016
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
E:\FR\FM\28MRR1.SGM
150
1,600
425
75
28MRR1
2012 Incidental
catch allowance
150
1,600
425
75
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 59 (Monday, March 28, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 17033-17034]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-7242]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 660
[Docket No. 100218107-0199-01]
RIN 0648-XA293
Fisheries Off West Coast States; Modifications of the West Coast
Commercial and Recreational Salmon Fisheries; Inseason Actions
1, 2, 3, and 4
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Modification of fishing seasons, gear restrictions, and landing
and possession limits; request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NOAA Fisheries announces four inseason actions in the ocean
salmon fisheries. Inseason action 1 modified the commercial
fishery in the area from Cape Falcon, Oregon to Humbug Mountain,
Oregon. Inseason action 2 modified the commercial fishery in
the area from Humbug Mountain, Oregon to the Oregon/California Border.
Inseason action 3 modified the recreational fishery in the
area from Horse Mountain, California to Point Arena, California.
Inseason action 4 modified the recreational fishery in the
area from Point Arena, California to the U.S./Mexico Border.
DATES: Inseason actions 1 and 2 were effective on
March 15, 2011. Inseason actions 3 and 4 are
effective April 2, 2011. Inseason actions 1, 2,
3, and 4 remain in effect until the opening of the
2011 salmon season announced in the 2011 annual management measures or
until modified through additional inseason action, which will publish
in the Federal Register. Comments will be accepted through April 12,
2011.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by RIN 0648-XA293, by
any one of the following methods:
Electronic Submissions: Submit all electronic public
comments via the Federal eRulemaking Portal https://www.regulations.gov.
Fax: 206-526-6736, Attn: Peggy Busby.
Mail: 7600 Sand Point Way, NE., Building 1, Seattle, WA
98115.
Instructions: All comments received are a part of the public record
and will generally be posted to https://www.regulations.gov without
change. All Personal Identifying Information (for example, name,
address, etc.) voluntarily submitted by the commenter may be publicly
accessible. Do not submit Confidential Business Information or
otherwise sensitive or protected information.
NMFS will accept anonymous comments (enter N/A in the required
fields, if you wish to remain anonymous). You may submit attachments to
electronic comments in Microsoft Word, Excel, WordPerfect, or Adobe PDF
file formats only.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Peggy Busby, by phone at 206-526-4323.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
In the 2010 annual management measures for ocean salmon fisheries
(75 FR 24482, May 5, 2010), NMFS announced the commercial and
recreational fisheries in the area from the U.S./Canada Border to the
U.S./Mexico Border, beginning May 1, 2010, and 2011 salmon seasons
opening earlier than May 1, 2011.
The Regional Administrator (RA) consulted with representatives of
the Council, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and California
Department of Fish and Game on March 9, 2011. The information
considered during this consultation related to Chinook and coho salmon
2010 spawning escapements, 2011 abundance forecasts, and annual
management objectives.
Inseason action 1 delayed the scheduled opening for the
commercial salmon fishery from Cape Falcon, Oregon to Humbug Mountain,
Oregon, previously scheduled for March 15, 2011, to April 15, 2011.
Seven days per week. All salmon except coho. All vessels fishing in the
area must land their fish in the State of Oregon. See gear restrictions
and definitions (C.2, C.3 in 75 FR 24482) and Oregon State regulations
for a description of special regulations at the mouth of Tillamook Bay.
This action was taken to comply with conservation constraints. On March
9, 2011, the states recommended this action and the RA concurred;
inseason action 1 took effect on March 15, 2011. Modification
of quota and/or fishing seasons is authorized by 50 CFR
660.409(b)(1)(i).
Inseason action 2 cancelled the commercial fishery from
Humbug Mountain, Oregon to the Oregon/California Border previously
scheduled to open on March 15, 2011. This action was taken to comply
with conservation constraints. On March 9, 2011, the states recommended
this action and the RA concurred; inseason action 2 took
effect on March 15, 2011. Modification of quota and/or fishing seasons
is authorized by 50 CFR 660.409(b)(1)(i).
Inseason action 3 established a recreational fishery from
Horse Mountain, California to Point Arena (Fort Bragg), opening April
2, 2011. Seven days per week. All salmon except coho, two fish per day
(C.1 in 75 FR 24482). Chinook minimum size limit of 24 inches total
length. The same gear restrictions as in 2010 (C.2, C.3 in 75 FR
24482). This action was taken to provide access to fish available for
harvest within conservation constraints. On March 9, 2011, the states
recommended this action and the RA concurred; inseason action
3 will take effect April 2, 2011. Modification of quota and/or
fishing seasons is authorized by 50 CFR 660.409(b)(1)(i).
Inseason action 4 established a recreational fishery from
Point Arena, California to the California/Mexico Border, opening April
2, 2011. Seven days per week. All salmon except coho, two fish per day
(C.1 in 75 FR 24482). Chinook minimum size limit of 24 inches total
length. The same gear restrictions as in 2010 (C.2, C.3 in 75 FR
24482). This action was taken to provide access to fish available for
harvest within conservation constraints. On March 9, 2011, the states
recommended this action and the RA concurred; inseason action
4 will take effect April 2, 2011. Modification of quota and/or
fishing seasons is authorized by 50 CFR 660.409(b)(1)(i).
All other restrictions and regulations remain in effect as
announced for the 2010 Ocean Salmon Fisheries and previous inseason
actions.
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 of the
described regulatory actions was given, prior to the date the action
was effective, by telephone hotline number 206-526-6667 and 800-662-
9825, and
[[Page 17034]]
by U.S. Coast Guard Notice to Mariners broadcasts on Channel 16 VHF-FM
and 2182 kHz.
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 (75 FR 24482, May 5, 2010), 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 ensure that
fisheries are managed based on the best available scientific
information, thus allowing fishers access to the available fish at the
time the fish were available while ensuring that quotas are not
exceeded. 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 allow fishing at levels
inconsistent with the goals of the Salmon Fishery Management Plan and
the current management measures.
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.
Dated: March 23, 2011.
Margo Schulze-Haugen,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-7242 Filed 3-25-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
