Fisheries Off West Coast States; West Coast Salmon Fisheries; 2013 Management Measures, 25865-25878 [2013-10462]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 86 (Friday, May 3, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 25865-25878]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-10462]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 660

[Docket No. 130108020-3409-01]
RIN 0648-XC438


Fisheries Off West Coast States; West Coast Salmon Fisheries; 
2013 Management Measures

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

ACTION: Final rule; notice of availability of an environmental 
assessment.

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SUMMARY: Through this final rule NMFS establishes fishery management 
measures for the 2013 ocean salmon fisheries off Washington, Oregon, 
and California and the 2014 salmon seasons opening earlier than May 1, 
2014. Specific fishery management measures vary by fishery and by area. 
The measures establish fishing areas, seasons, quotas, legal gear, 
recreational fishing days and catch limits, possession and landing 
restrictions, and minimum lengths for salmon taken in the U.S. 
exclusive economic zone (EEZ) (3-200 NM) off Washington, Oregon, and 
California. The management measures are intended to prevent overfishing 
and to apportion the ocean harvest equitably among treaty Indian, non-
treaty commercial, and recreational fisheries. The measures are also 
intended to allow a portion of the salmon runs to escape the ocean 
fisheries in order to provide for spawning escapement and inside 
fisheries (fisheries occurring in state internal waters). This document 
also announces the availability of an environmental assessment (EA) 
that analyzes the environmental impacts of implementing the 2013 ocean 
salmon management measures.

DATES: This final rule is effective from 0001 hours Pacific Daylight 
Time, May 1, 2013, until the effective date of the 2014 management 
measures, as published in the Federal Register. Comments regarding the 
reporting burden estimate or any other aspect of the collection-of-
information requirements in these management measures may be submitted 
at any time.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the documents cited in this document are available 
from Dr. Donald O. McIsaac, Executive Director, Pacific Fishery 
Management Council, 7700 NE Ambassador Place, Suite 200, Portland, OR 
97220-1384, and are posted on its Web site (www.pcouncil.org).
    Send comments regarding the reporting burden estimate or any other 
aspect of the collection-of-information requirements in these 
management measures, including suggestions for reducing the burden, to 
William W. Stelle, Jr., Regional Administrator, Northwest Region, NMFS, 
7600 Sand Point Way NE., Seattle, WA 98115-0070 or Rod McInnis, 
Regional Administrator, Southwest Region, NMFS, 501 West Ocean 
Boulevard, Suite 4200, Long Beach, CA 90802-4213 and to Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB), by email at OIRA.Submission@omb.eop.gov or 
by fax at (202) 395-7285.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Peggy Mundy at 206-526-4323, or Heidi 
Taylor at 562-980-4039.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    The ocean salmon fisheries in the EEZ off Washington, Oregon, and 
California are managed under a ``framework'' fishery management plan 
entitled the Pacific Coast Salmon Fishery Management Plan (Salmon FMP). 
Regulations at 50 CFR part 660, subpart H, provide the mechanism for 
making preseason and inseason adjustments to the management measures, 
within limits set by the Salmon FMP, by notification in the Federal 
Register.
    The management measures for the 2013 and pre-May 2014 ocean salmon 
fisheries that are implemented in this final rule were recommended by 
the Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) at its April 6 to 11, 
2013, meeting.

Schedule Used To Establish 2013 Management Measures

    The Council announced its annual preseason management process for 
the 2013 ocean salmon fisheries in the Federal Register on December 12, 
2012 (77 FR 73987), and on the Council's Web site at 
(www.pcouncil.org). NMFS published an additional notice of 
opportunities to submit public comments on the 2013 ocean salmon 
fisheries in the Federal Register on February 25, 2013 (78 FR 12713). 
These notices announced the availability of Council documents, the 
dates and locations of Council meetings and public hearings comprising 
the Council's complete schedule of events for determining the annual 
proposed and final modifications to ocean salmon fishery management 
measures, and instructions on how to comment on 2013 ocean salmon 
fisheries. The agendas for the March and April Council meetings were 
published in the Federal Register and posted on the Council's Web site 
prior to the actual meetings.
    In accordance with the Salmon FMP, the Council's Salmon Technical 
Team (STT) and staff economist prepared four reports for the Council, 
its advisors, and the public. All four reports were posted on the 
Council's Web site and otherwise made available to the Council, its 
advisors, and the public upon their completion. The first of the 
reports, ``Review of 2012 Ocean Salmon Fisheries,'' was prepared in 
February when the scientific information necessary for crafting 
management measures for the 2013 and pre-May 2014 ocean salmon 
fisheries first became available. The first report summarizes 
biological and socio-economic data for the 2012 ocean salmon fisheries 
and assesses how well the Council's 2012 management objectives were 
met. The second report, ``Preseason Report I Stock Abundance Analysis 
and Environmental Assessment Part 1 for 2013 Ocean Salmon Fishery 
Regulations'' (PRE I), provides the 2013 salmon stock abundance 
projections and analyzes the impacts on the stocks and Council 
management goals if the 2012 regulations and regulatory procedures were 
applied to the projected 2013 stock abundances. The completion of PRE I 
is the initial step in evaluating the full suite of preseason 
alternatives.
    Following completion of the first two reports, the Council met in 
Tacoma, WA from March 6 to 11, 2013, to develop 2013 management 
alternatives for proposal to the public. The Council proposed three 
alternatives for commercial and recreational fisheries management for 
analysis and public comment. These alternatives consisted of various 
combinations of management measures designed to protect weak stocks of 
coho and Chinook salmon, and to provide for ocean harvests of more 
abundant stocks. After the March Council meeting, the Council's STT and 
staff economist prepared a third report, ``Preseason Report II Proposed 
Alternatives and Environmental Assessment Part 2 for 2013 Ocean Salmon 
Fishery Regulations'' (PRE II),

[[Page 25866]]

which analyzes the effects of the proposed 2013 management 
alternatives.
    Public hearings, sponsored by the Council, to receive testimony on 
the proposed alternatives were held on March 25, 2013, in Westport, WA 
and Coos Bay, OR; and March 26, 2013, in Eureka, CA. The States of 
Washington, Oregon, and California sponsored meetings in various forums 
that also collected public testimony, which was then presented to the 
Council by each state's Council representative. The Council also 
received public testimony at both the March and April meetings and 
received written comments at the Council office.
    The Council met from April 6 to 11, 2013, in Portland, OR to adopt 
its final 2013 recommendations. Following the April Council meeting, 
the Council's STT and staff economist prepared a fourth report, 
``Preseason Report III Analysis of Council-Adopted Management Measures 
for 2013 Ocean Salmon Fisheries'' (PRE III), which analyzes the 
environmental and socio-economic effects of the Council's final 
recommendations. After the Council took final action on the annual 
ocean salmon specifications in April, it published the recommended 
management measures in its newsletter and also posted them on the 
Council Web site (www.pcouncil.org).

Public Comments

    The Council invited written comments on developing 2013 salmon 
management measures in their notice announcing public meetings and 
hearings (77 FR 73987, December 12, 2012). Additionally, comments were 
taken at three public hearings held in March, staffed by 
representatives of the Council and NMFS. The Council received 10 
written comments directly. The three public hearings were attended by a 
total of 89 people; 30 people provided oral comments and three 
additional written comments were submitted. Comments came from 
individual fishers, fishing associations, fish buyers, and processors. 
Comments addressed the 2013 management alternatives described in PRE 
II, and generally expressed preferences for a specific alternative or 
for particular season structures. All comments were included in the 
Council's briefing book for their April 2013 meeting and were 
considered by the Council, which includes a representative from NMFS, 
in developing the recommended management measures transmitted to NMFS 
on April 19, 2013.
    Comments on alternatives for fisheries north of Cape Falcon. For 
fisheries north of Cape Falcon, Alternative I was favored by 6 
commercial and 2 recreational commenters. Alternative II was favored by 
one commercial commenter. Alternative III had no support. There were 2 
commenters favoring a late season non-mark selective coho fishery.
    Comments on alternatives for fisheries south of Cape Falcon. For 
fisheries south of Cape Falcon, commercial fishers were divided in 
support between Alternative I (7 commenters) and Alternative II (10 
commenters). For recreational fisheries south of Cape Falcon, 9 
commenters favored Alternative I. Alternative III had no support.
    Comments on incidental halibut retention in the commercial salmon 
fisheries. Support was divided among the three alternatives.
    Other comments. Hooking mortality was mentioned by three 
commenters, with respect to mark-selective fisheries and size 
restrictions. Two commenters requested the Council revisit the 
perennial commercial fishery closure between Humboldt South Jetty and 
Horse Mountain, California. One commenter requested the Council add a 
seat on the Salmon Advisory Subpanel to represent the Klamath Basin in-
river recreational fishery.
    The Council, including the NMFS representative, took these comments 
into consideration. The Council's final recommendation generally 
includes aspects of Alternatives I and II, while taking into account 
the best available scientific information and ensuring that fisheries 
are consistent with ESA consultation standards, ACLs, PST obligations, 
and tribal fishing rights. The best available information regarding 
hooking mortality is factored into the analysis of the impacts of mark-
selective fisheries and size restrictions. These management tools 
assist the Council in meeting impact limits on weak stocks. The Council 
retained the commercial fishery closure between Humboldt South Jetty 
and Horse Mountain to protect California Coastal Chinook in the Eel 
Canyon area. Finally, the request to add a new seat on the Salmon 
Advisory Subpanel, while an issue for the Council's consideration, is 
not relevant to the content of these management measures.
    NMFS also invited comments to be submitted directly to the Council 
or to NMFS, via the Federal Rulemaking Portal (www.regulations.gov) in 
a proposed rule (78 FR 12713, February 25, 2013). Two comments were 
submitted via www.regulations.gov, both comments opposed genetically 
modified salmon; while NMFS appreciates receiving public comment, the 
issue of genetically modified salmon is not relevant to setting the 
2013 salmon management measures.

National Environmental Policy Act

    The Council's documents described above (PRE I, PRE II, and PRE 
III) collectively comprise the Environmental Assessment (EA) for this 
action, providing analysis of environmental and socioeconomic effects 
under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The EA and its 
related Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) are posted on the NMFS 
Northwest Region Web site (www.nwr.noaa.gov).

Annual Catch Limits and Status Determination Criteria

    The Council adopted Amendment 16 to the Salmon FMP in 2011 (76 FR 
81852, December 29, 2011). This amendment brought the Salmon FMP into 
compliance with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and 
Management Act (MSA) as amended in 2007, and the corresponding revised 
National Standard 1 Guidelines' (NS1Gs) mandate to end and prevent 
overfishing. As modified by Amendment 16, the FMP identifies stocks 
that are in the fishery, describes stock complexes and indicator stocks 
for those complexes, establishes status determination criteria (SDC), 
and establishes formulas for specifying overfishing limits (OFLs), 
acceptable biological catch (ABC), and annual catch limits (ACLs). 
Amendment 16 also added to the FMP ``de minimis'' fishing provisions 
that allow for low levels of fishing impacts on specified stocks that 
are at low levels of abundance.
    Annual catch limits (ACLs) are set for two stocks: Sacramento River 
Fall Chinook (SRFC) and Klamath River Fall Chinook (KRFC). These stocks 
are indicator stocks for the Central Valley Fall Chinook complex and 
the Southern Oregon/Northern California Chinook complex, respectively. 
The Far North Migrating Coastal Chinook complex includes a group of 
Chinook salmon stocks that are caught primarily in fisheries north of 
Cape Falcon, Oregon and other fisheries that occur north of the U.S./
Canada Border. No ACL is set for these stocks because they are managed 
according to the Pacific Salmon Treaty with Canada (PST). Other Chinook 
salmon stocks caught in fisheries north of Cape Falcon are ESA-listed 
or hatchery produced, and are managed consistent with ESA consultation 
standards or hatchery goals. Coho stocks are either ESA-listed, 
hatchery produced, or managed under the PST.

[[Page 25867]]

    ACLs for SRFC and KRFC are escapement-based, which means they 
establish a number of adults that must escape the fisheries to return 
to the spawning grounds. They are set based on the annual abundance 
projection and a fishing rate reduced to account for scientific 
uncertainty. The abundance forecasts for 2013 are described in more 
detail below in the ``Resource Status'' section of this final rule. For 
SRFC in 2013, the overfishing limit (OFL) is SOFL = 834,208 
(projected abundance) multiplied by 1 - FMSY (1 - 0.78) or 
183,526 returning spawners. SABC is 834,208 multiplied by 1 
- FABC (1 - 0.70) (FMSY reduced for scientific 
uncertainty = 0.70) or 250,262. The SACL is set equal to 
SABC. For KRFC in 2013, SOFL is 230,473 
(abundance projection) multiplied by 1 - FMSY (1 - 0.71), or 
66,837 returning spawners. SABC is 230,473 multiplied by 1 - 
FABC (1 - 0.68) (FMSY reduced for scientific 
uncertainty = 0.68) or 73,751 returning spawners. SACL is 
set equal to SABC.
    As explained in more detail below under ``Resource Status,'' 
fisheries south of Cape Falcon, which are the fisheries that impact 
SRFC and KRFC, are constrained by impact limits necessary to protect 
ESA-listed salmon stocks including California Coastal Chinook (CCC) and 
Sacramento River winter Chinook (SRWC). For 2013, abundance 
projections, in combination with the constraints for ESA-listed stocks, 
are expected to result in escapements that meet the ACL for KRFC and 
that exceed the ACL for SRFC.

Resource Status

    Fisheries south of Cape Falcon, OR are limited in 2013 primarily by 
the status of SRWC and CCC, which are both evolutionarily significant 
units (ESUs) listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Fisheries 
north of Cape Falcon are limited primarily by Lower Columbia River 
(LCR) Chinook salmon and LCR coho salmon, stocks which are also listed 
under the ESA, and by Thompson River coho from Canada. At the start of 
the preseason planning process for the 2013 management season, NMFS 
provided a letter to the Council, dated February 28, 2013, summarizing 
its ESA consultation standards for listed species as required by the 
Salmon FMP. The Council's recommended management measures comply with 
NMFS ESA consultation standards and guidance for those listed salmon 
species that may be affected by Council fisheries. In many cases, the 
recommended measures are more restrictive than NMFS's ESA requirements.
    In 2010, NMFS consulted under ESA section 7 and provided guidance 
to the Council regarding the effects of Council area fisheries on SRWC. 
NMFS completed a Biological Opinion that includes a reasonable and 
prudent alternative (RPA) to avoid jeopardizing the continued existence 
of this ESU. The RPA included management area specific fishing season 
openings and closures, and minimum size limits for both commercial and 
recreational fisheries. In 2012, NMFS added a second component to the 
RPA based on a new abundance-based framework which supplements the 
above management restrictions with maximum allowable impact rates that 
apply when abundance is low. The Council's recommended 2013 management 
measures meet the requirements of the RPA.
    NMFS last consulted under ESA section 7 regarding the effects of 
Council area fisheries on CCC in 2005. KRFC are used as a surrogate to 
set limits on ocean harvest impacts on CCC. The Biological Opinion 
requires that management measures result in a KRFC age-4 ocean harvest 
rate of no greater than 16 percent. This objective is met by the 
Council's recommended 2013 management measures.
    In 2012, NMFS consulted under ESA section 7 and provided guidance 
to the Council regarding the effects of Council area fisheries on LCR 
Chinook salmon. NMFS completed a Biological Opinion that applies to 
fisheries beginning in 2012, concluding that the proposed fisheries, if 
managed consistent with the terms of the Biological Opinion, are not 
likely to jeopardize the continued existence of LCR Chinook salmon. The 
LCR Chinook salmon ESU is comprised of a spring component, a ``far-
north'' migrating bright component, and a component of north migrating 
tules. The bright and tule components both have fall run timing. There 
are twenty-one separate populations within the tule component of this 
ESU. Unlike the spring or bright populations of the ESU, LCR tule 
populations are caught in large numbers in Council fisheries, as well 
as fisheries to the north and in the Columbia River. Therefore, this 
component of the ESU is the one most likely to constrain Council 
fisheries in the area north of Cape Falcon, Oregon. Under the 2012 
Biological Opinion, NMFS uses an abundance-based management (ABM) 
framework to set annual exploitation rates for LCR tule Chinook salmon 
below Bonneville Dam. Applying the ABM framework to the 2013 preseason 
abundance forecast, the LCR tule exploitation rate is limited to a 
maximum of 41 percent. This objective is met by the Council's 
recommended 2013 management measures.
    In 2008, NMFS conducted an ESA section 7 consultation and issued a 
Biological Opinion regarding the effects of Council fisheries and 
fisheries in the Columbia River on Lower Columbia River (LCR) coho. The 
opinion depends on use of a harvest matrix for LCR coho. Under the 
matrix the allowable harvest in a given year depends on indicators of 
marine survival and brood year escapement. In 2013, the marine survival 
indicator is in the ``low'' category, while brood year escapements for 
two indicator stocks are in the ``low'' and ``medium'' categories. 
Under these circumstances, ocean salmon fisheries under the Council's 
jurisdiction in 2013, and commercial and recreational salmon fisheries 
in the mainstem Columbia River, including select area fisheries (e.g., 
Youngs Bay), must be managed subject to a total exploitation rate limit 
on LCR coho not to exceed 15 percent. The recommended management 
measures that would affect LCR coho are consistent with this 
requirement.
    The ESA listing status of Oregon Coast (OC) coho has changed over 
the years. On February 11, 2008, NMFS again listed OC coho as 
threatened under the ESA (73 FR 7816); that listing status was 
confirmed following a status review in 2011 (76 FR 35755, June 20, 
2011). Regardless of their listing status, the Council has managed OC 
coho consistent with the terms of Amendment 13 of the Salmon FMP as 
modified by the expert advice provided by the 2000 ad hoc Work Group 
appointed by the Council. NMFS approved the management provisions for 
OC coho through its section 7 consultation on Amendment 13 in 1999, and 
has since supported use of the expert advice provided by the Council's 
ad hoc Work Group. For the 2013 season, the applicable spawner status 
is in the ``high'' category for three of the four sub-aggregate stocks 
and ``low'' for the southern sub-aggregate (although the southern sub-
aggregate is included in the harvest matrix, it is a component of the 
Southern Oregon/Northern California Coastal Coho ESU). The marine 
survival index is in the ``medium'' category. Under these 
circumstances, the Work Group report requires that the exploitation 
rate be limited to no more than 30 percent. The recommended management 
measures that would affect OC coho are consistent with this 
requirement.
    Interior Fraser (Thompson River) coho, a Canadian stock, continues 
to be depressed, remaining in the ``low''

[[Page 25868]]

status category under the Pacific Salmon Treaty and, along with LCR 
coho, is the coho stock most limiting the 2013 ocean fisheries north of 
Cape Falcon. The recommended management measures for 2013 satisfy the 
maximum 10.0 percent total U.S. exploitation rate called for by the 
Pacific Salmon Treaty agreements and the Salmon FMP.

Management Measures for 2013 Fisheries

    The Council-recommended ocean harvest levels and management 
measures for the 2013 fisheries are designed to apportion the burden of 
protecting the weak stocks identified and discussed in PRE I equitably 
among ocean fisheries and to allow maximum harvest of natural and 
hatchery runs surplus to inside fishery and spawning needs. NMFS finds 
the Council's recommendations responsive to the goals of the Salmon 
FMP, the requirements of the resource, and the socioeconomic factors 
affecting resource users. The recommendations are consistent with the 
requirements of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and 
Management Act, U.S. obligations to Indian tribes with federally 
recognized fishing rights, and U.S. international obligations regarding 
Pacific salmon. Accordingly, NMFS has adopted the Council's 
recommendations.
    North of Cape Falcon, the 2013 management measures for non-Indian 
commercial troll and recreational fisheries have slightly reduced 
quotas for coho and Chinook salmon, compared to 2012. Conservation 
constraints on Chinook salmon are largely unchanged, including the 
exploitation rate limit for ESA-listed LCR tule Chinook, which remains 
at 41 percent in 2013. Impacts in Alaskan and Canadian fisheries on 
Chinook salmon stocks originating north of Cape Falcon are reduced 
relative to 2012. The North of Falcon fisheries are also managed to 
protect threatened LCR coho, threatened Oregon Coastal Natural coho, 
and coho salmon from the Thompson River in Canada. Washington coastal 
and Puget Sound Chinook generally migrate to the far north and are not 
significantly affected by ocean salmon harvests from Cape Falcon, OR, 
to the U.S.-Canada border. Nevertheless, ocean fisheries in combination 
with fisheries inside Puget Sound are restricted in order to meet ESA 
related conservation objectives for Puget Sound Chinook. North of Cape 
Alava, WA, the Council recommended a provision prohibiting retention of 
chum salmon in the salmon fisheries during August and September to 
protect ESA listed Hood Canal summer chum. The Council has recommended 
such a prohibition since 2002 (67 FR 30616, May 7, 2002).
    Large SRFC and KRFC abundance forecasts allow for substantial 
commercial fishing opportunity south of Cape Falcon in 2013 for all 
salmon except coho. Constraints on the commercial fishery in this 
region include the CCC consultation standard that limits the forecast 
KRFC age-4 ocean harvest rate to a maximum of 16 percent and the 
exploitation rate limit on ESA-listed LCR tule Chinook. Commercial 
fisheries south of Point Arena are also constrained by the maximum 
allowable age-3 impact rate of 12.9 percent on ESA-listed SRWC. 
Recreational fisheries south of Cape Falcon will be directed primarily 
at Chinook salmon, with opportunity for coho limited to the area 
between Cape Falcon and the Oregon/California Border. Recreational 
fisheries south of Cape Falcon will have area specific openings 
throughout the season. The projected abundance of SRFC in 2013 is 
similar to the 2012 projection. Under the management measures in this 
final rule, and including anticipated in-river fishery impacts, 
spawning escapement for SRFC is projected at 462,600. Projected 
abundance for Klamath River Fall Chinook (KRFC) is strong, but lower 
than the historic 2012 projection. Under the management measures in 
this final rule, and including anticipated in-river fishery impacts, 
spawning escapement for KRFC is projected at 73,800.
    The treaty-Indian commercial troll fishery quota for 2013 is 52,500 
Chinook salmon in ocean management areas and Washington State 
Statistical Area 4B combined. This quota is lower than the 55,000 
Chinook salmon quota in 2012, for the same reasons discussed above for 
the non-tribal fishery. The treaty-Indian commercial troll fisheries 
include a Chinook-directed fishery in May and June with a quota of 
26,250 Chinook salmon, and an all-salmon season beginning July 1 with a 
26,250 Chinook salmon sub-quota. The coho quota for the treaty-Indian 
troll fishery in ocean management areas, including Washington State 
Statistical Area 4B, for the July-September period is 47,500 coho, the 
same as in 2012.

Management Measures for 2014 Fisheries

    The timing of the March and April Council meetings makes it 
impracticable for the Council to recommend fishing seasons that begin 
before May 1 of the same year. Therefore, this action also establishes 
the 2014 fishing seasons that open earlier than May 1. The Council 
recommended, and NMFS concurs, that the commercial season off Oregon 
from Cape Falcon to the Oregon/California border, the commercial season 
off California from Horse Mountain to Point Arena, the recreational 
season off Oregon from Cape Falcon to Humbug Mountain, and the 
recreational season off California from Horse Mountain to the U.S./
Mexico border will open in 2014 as indicated in the Season Description 
section of this document. At the March 2014 meeting, the Council may 
consider inseason recommendations to adjust the commercial and 
recreational seasons prior to May 1 in the areas off Oregon and 
California.
    The following sections set out the management regime for the salmon 
fishery. Open seasons and days are described in Sections 1, 2, and 3 of 
the 2013 management measures. Inseason closures in the commercial and 
recreational fisheries are announced on the NMFS hotline and through 
the U.S. Coast Guard Notice to Mariners as described in Section 6. 
Other inseason adjustments to management measures are also announced on 
the hotline and through the Notice to Mariners. Inseason actions will 
also be published in the Federal Register as soon as practicable.
    The following are the management measures recommended by the 
Council and approved and implemented here for 2013 and, as specified, 
for 2014.
Section 1. Commercial Management Measures for 2013 Ocean Salmon 
Fisheries
    Parts A, B, and C of this section contain restrictions that must be 
followed for lawful participation in the fishery. Part A identifies 
each fishing area and provides the geographic boundaries from north to 
south, the open seasons for the area, the salmon species allowed to be 
caught during the seasons, and any other special restrictions effective 
in the area. Part B specifies minimum size limits. Part C specifies 
special requirements, definitions, restrictions and exceptions.

A. Season Description

North of Cape Falcon, OR
--U.S./Canada Border to Cape Falcon

    May 1 through earlier of June 30 or 29,300 Chinook, no more than 
8,700 of which may be caught in the area between the U.S./Canada border 
and the Queets River. Seven days per week (C.1). All salmon except coho 
(C.4, C.7). Chinook minimum size limit of 28 inches total length (B, 
C.1). Vessels in possession of salmon north of the Queets River may not 
cross the Queets River line without first notifying

[[Page 25869]]

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) at 360-902-2739 with 
area fished, total Chinook and halibut catch aboard, and destination. 
Vessels in possession of salmon south of the Queets River may not cross 
the Queets River line without first notifying WDFW at 360-902-2739 with 
area fished, total Chinook and halibut catch aboard, and destination. 
Cape Flattery, Mandatory Yelloweye Rockfish Conservation Area, and 
Columbia Control Zones closed (C.4, C.5, C.6). See compliance 
requirements (C.1) and gear restrictions and definitions (C.2, C.3). An 
inseason conference call will occur when it is projected that 21,975 
Chinook have been landed overall, or 6,525 Chinook have been landed in 
the area between the U.S/Canada border and the Queets River, to 
consider modifying the open period to five days per week and adding 
landing and possession limits to ensure the guideline is not exceeded. 
Vessels must land and deliver their fish within 24 hours of any closure 
of this fishery. Under state law, vessels must report their catch on a 
state fish receiving ticket. Vessels fishing or in possession of salmon 
while fishing north of Leadbetter Point must land and deliver their 
fish within the area and north of Leadbetter Point. Vessels fishing or 
in possession of salmon while fishing south of Leadbetter Point must 
land and deliver their fish within the area and south of Leadbetter 
Point, except that Oregon permitted vessels may also land their fish in 
Garibaldi, Oregon. Oregon State regulations require all fishers landing 
salmon into Oregon from any fishery between Leadbetter Point, 
Washington and Cape Falcon, Oregon must notify ODFW within one hour of 
delivery or prior to transport away from the port of landing by either 
calling 541-867-0300 Ext. 271 or sending notification via email to 
nfalcon.trollreport@state.or.us. Notification shall include vessel name 
and number, number of salmon by species, port of landing and location 
of delivery, and estimated time of delivery. Inseason actions may 
modify harvest guidelines in later fisheries to achieve or prevent 
exceeding the overall allowable troll harvest impacts (C.8).
    July 1 through earlier of September 17 or attainment of the quota 
of 14,700 Chinook, no more than 6,100 of which may be caught in the 
area between the U.S./Canada border and the Queets River, or 14,220 
marked coho (C.8.d). July 1 through 9, then Friday through Tuesday, 
July 12 through August 27 with a landing and possession limit of 50 
Chinook and 40 coho per vessel per open period; Friday through Tuesday, 
August 30 through September 17 with a landing and possession limit of 
20 Chinook and 50 coho per vessel per open period (C.1). Vessels in 
possession of salmon north of the Queets River may not cross the Queets 
River line without first notifying WDFW at 360-902-2739 with area 
fished, total Chinook, coho, and halibut catch aboard, and destination. 
Vessels in possession of salmon south of the Queets River may not cross 
the Queets River line without first notifying WDFW at 360-902-2739 with 
area fished, total Chinook, coho, and halibut catch aboard, and 
destination. No earlier than September 1, if at least 5,000 marked coho 
remain on the quota, inseason action may be considered to allow non-
selective coho retention (C.8). All salmon except no chum retention 
north of Cape Alava, Washington in August and September (C.7). Chinook 
minimum size limit of 28 inches total length (B, C.1). All coho must be 
marked except as noted above (C.8.d). See compliance requirements (C.1) 
and gear restrictions and definitions (C.2, C.3). Mandatory Yelloweye 
Rockfish Conservation Area, Cape Flattery and Columbia Control Zones, 
and beginning August 9, Grays Harbor Control Zone closed (C.5). Vessels 
must land and deliver their fish within 24 hours of any closure of this 
fishery. Vessels fishing or in possession of salmon while fishing north 
of Leadbetter Point must land and deliver their fish within the area 
and north of Leadbetter Point. Vessels fishing or in possession of 
salmon while fishing south of Leadbetter Point must land and deliver 
their fish within the area and south of Leadbetter Point, except that 
Oregon permitted vessels may also land their fish in Garibaldi, Oregon. 
Under state law, vessels must report their catch on a state fish 
receiving ticket. Oregon State regulations require all fishers landing 
salmon into Oregon from any fishery between Leadbetter Point, 
Washington and Cape Falcon, Oregon must notify ODFW within one hour of 
delivery or prior to transport away from the port of landing by either 
calling 541-867-0300 Ext. 271 or sending notification via email to 
nfalcon.trollreport@state.or.us. Notification shall include vessel name 
and number, number of salmon by species, port of landing and location 
of delivery, and estimated time of delivery. Inseason actions may 
modify harvest guidelines in later fisheries to achieve or prevent 
exceeding the overall allowable troll harvest impacts.
South of Cape Falcon, OR
--Cape Falcon to Humbug Mountain

    April 1 through August 29;
    September 4 through October 31 (C.9.a).
    Seven days per week. All salmon except coho (C.4, C.7). Chinook 
minimum size limit of 28 inches total length (B, C.1). All vessels 
fishing in the area must land their fish in the State of Oregon. See 
compliance requirements (C.1) and gear restrictions and definitions 
(C.2, C.3) and Oregon State regulations for a description of special 
regulations at the mouth of Tillamook Bay.
    Beginning September 4, no more than 100 Chinook per vessel per 
landing week (Wednesday through Tuesday).
    In 2014, the season will open March 15 for all salmon except coho. 
Chinook minimum size limit of 28 inches total length (C.1). Gear 
restrictions same as in 2013. This opening could be modified following 
Council review at its March 2014 meeting.

--Humbug Mountain to Oregon/California Border (Oregon KMZ)

    April 1 through May 31;
    June 1 through earlier of June 30, or a 4,000 Chinook quota;
    July 1 through earlier of July 31, or a 3,000 Chinook quota;
    August 1 through earlier of August 29, or a 2,000 Chinook quota;
    September 16 through earlier of September 27, or a 1,000 Chinook 
quota (C.9.a).
    Seven days per week. All salmon except coho (C.4, C.7). Chinook 
minimum size limit of 28 inches total length (B, C.1). Prior to June 1, 
all fish caught in this area must be landed and delivered in the State 
of Oregon. June 1 through August 29 landing and possession limit of 30 
Chinook per vessel per day. September 16 through 27 landing and 
possession limit of 20 Chinook per vessel per day. Any remaining 
portion of the June and/or July Chinook quotas may be transferred 
inseason on an impact neutral basis to the next open quota period 
(C.8). All vessels fishing in this area must land and deliver all fish 
within this area or Port Orford, within 24 hours of any closure of this 
fishery, and prior to fishing outside of this area. Oregon State 
regulations require all fishers landing salmon from any quota managed 
season within this area to notify ODFW within 1 hour of delivery or 
prior to transport away from the port of landing by either calling 541-
867-0300 Ext. 252 or sending notification via email to 
KMZOR.trollreport@state.or.us. Notification shall include vessel name 
and number, number of salmon by species, port of landing and location 
of delivery, and estimated time of delivery.

[[Page 25870]]

See compliance requirements (C.1) and gear restrictions and definitions 
(C.2, C.3).
    In 2014, the season will open March 15 for all salmon except coho, 
with a 28 inch Chinook minimum size limit (C.1). Gear restrictions same 
as in 2013. This opening could be modified following Council review at 
its March 2014 meeting.

--Oregon/California Border to Humboldt South Jetty (California KMZ)

    May 1 through earlier of May 31, or a 3,000 Chinook quota;
    June 1 through earlier of June 30, or a 3,000 Chinook quota;
    July 15 through earlier of July 31, or a 2,000 Chinook quota;
    August 1 through earlier of August 29, or a 1,500 Chinook quota;
    September 16 through earlier of September 30, or 6,000 Chinook 
quota (C.9.b).
    Seven days per week. All salmon except coho (C.4, C.7). Chinook 
minimum size limit of 27 inches total length (B, C.1). Landing and 
possession limit of 20 Chinook per vessel per day (C.8.g). Any 
remaining portion of the May, June and/or July Chinook quotas may be 
transferred inseason on an impact neutral basis to the next open quota 
period (C.8.c). All fish caught in this area must be landed within the 
area and within 24 hours of any closure of the fishery and prior to 
fishing outside the area (C.10). See compliance requirements (C.1) and 
gear restrictions and definitions (C.2, C.3). Klamath Control Zone 
closed (C.5.e). See California State regulations for additional 
closures adjacent to the Smith and Klamath rivers. When the fishery is 
closed between the Oregon/California border and Humbug Mountain and 
open to the south, vessels with fish on board caught in the open area 
off California may seek temporary mooring in Brookings, Oregon prior to 
landing in California only if such vessels first notify the Chetco 
River Coast Guard Station via VHF channel 22A between the hours of 0500 
and 2200 and provide the vessel name, number of fish on board, and 
estimated time of arrival (C.6).

--Humboldt South Jetty to Horse Mountain

    Closed.

--Horse Mountain to Point Arena (Fort Bragg)

    May 22 through 31;
    June 1 through 8 and 21 through 30;
    July 15 through 31;
    August 1 through 29;
    September 1 through 30 (C.9.b).
    Seven days per week. All salmon except coho (C.4, C.7). Chinook 
minimum size limit of 27 inches total length (B, C.1). All fish must be 
landed in California and offloaded within 24 hours of the August 29 
closure (C.6). When the California KMZ fishery is open, all fish caught 
in the area must be landed south of Horse Mountain (C.6). During 
September, all fish must be landed north of Point Arena (C.6). See 
compliance requirements (C.1) and gear restrictions and definitions 
(C.2, C.3).
    In 2014, the season will open April 16 through 30 for all salmon 
except coho, with a 27-inch Chinook minimum size limit and the same 
gear restrictions as in 2013. All fish caught in the area must be 
landed in the area. This opening could be modified following Council 
review at its March 2014 meeting.

--Point Arena to Pigeon Point (San Francisco)

    May 1 through 31;
    June 1 through 8 and 21 through 30;
    July 15 through 31;
    August 1 through 29;
    September 1 through 30 (C.9.b).
    Seven days per week. All salmon except coho (C.4, C.7). Chinook 
minimum size limit of 27 inches total length prior to September 1, 26 
inches thereafter (B, C.1). All fish must be landed in California and 
offloaded within 24 hours of the August 29 closure (C.6). During 
September, all fish must be landed south of Point Arena (C.6). See 
compliance requirements (C.1) and gear restrictions and definitions 
(C.2, C.3).
     Point Reyes to Point San Pedro (Fall Area Target Zone)
    October 1 through 4, 7 through 11, and 14 through 15.
    All salmon except coho (C.4, C.7). Chinook minimum size limit of 26 
inches total length (B, C.1). All fish caught in this area must be 
landed between Point Arena and Pigeon Point (C.6). See compliance 
requirements (C.1) and gear restrictions and definitions (C.2, C.3).

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

    May 1 through 31;
    June 1 through 8 and 21 through 30;
    July 15 through 31;
    August 1 through 29;
    September 1 through 30 (C.9.b).
    Seven days per week. All salmon except coho (C.4, C.7). Chinook 
minimum size limit of 27 inches total length prior to September 1, 26 
inches thereafter (B, C.1). All fish must be landed in California and 
offloaded within 24 hours of the August 29 closure (C.6). During 
September, all fish must be landed south of Point Arena (C.6). See 
compliance requirements (C.1) and gear restrictions and definitions 
(C.2, C.3).
    California State regulations require that all salmon be made 
available to a California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) 
representative for sampling immediately at port of landing. Any person 
in possession of a salmon with a missing adipose fin, upon request by 
an authorized agent or employee of the CDFW, shall immediately 
relinquish the head of the salmon to the state (California Fish and 
Game Code Sec.  8226).

B. Minimum Size (Inches) (See C.1)

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                Chinook                    Coho
                                      ----------------------------------------------------
           Area (when open)               Total                     Total                           Pink
                                          length      Head-off      length      Head-off
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
North of Cape Falcon, OR.............         28.0         21.5         16.0         12.0  None
Cape Falcon to OR/CA Border..........         28.0         21.5  ...........  ...........  None
OR/CA Border to Humboldt South Jetty.         27.0         20.5  ...........  ...........  None
Horse Mountain to Point Arena........         27.0         20.5  ...........  ...........  None
Point Arena to U.S./Mexico Border:
    Prior to Sept. 1.................         27.0         20.5  ...........  ...........  None
    Sept. 1 to Oct. 15...............         26.0         19.5  ...........  ...........  None
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Metric equivalents: 28.0 in = 71.1 cm, 27.0 in = 68.6 cm, 26.0 in = 66.0 cm, 21.5 in = 54.6 cm, 20.5 in = 52.1
  cm, 19.5 in = 49.5 cm, 16.0 in = 40.6 cm, and 12.0 in = 30.5 cm.


[[Page 25871]]

C. Special Requirements, Definitions, Restrictions, or Exceptions

C.1. Compliance With Minimum Size or Other Special Restrictions
    All salmon on board a vessel must meet the minimum size, landing/
possession limit, or other special requirements for the area being 
fished and the area in which they are landed if the area is open or has 
been closed less than 96 hours for that species of salmon. Salmon may 
be landed in an area that has been closed for a species of salmon more 
than 96 hours only if the salmon meet the minimum size, landing/
possession limit, or other special requirements for the area in which 
they were caught.
    States may require fish landing/receiving tickets to be kept on 
board the vessel for 90 days after landing to account for all previous 
salmon landings.
C.2. Gear Restrictions
    a. Salmon may be taken only by hook and line using single point, 
single shank, barbless hooks.
    b. Cape Falcon, Oregon, to the Oregon/California border: No more 
than 4 spreads are allowed per line.
    c. Oregon/California border to U.S./Mexico border: No more than 6 
lines are allowed per vessel, and barbless circle hooks are required 
when fishing with bait by any means other than trolling.
C.3. Gear Definitions
    Trolling defined: Fishing from a boat or floating device that is 
making way by means of a source of power, other than drifting by means 
of the prevailing water current or weather conditions.
    Troll fishing gear defined: One or more lines that drag hooks 
behind a moving fishing vessel. In that portion of the fishery 
management area (FMA) off Oregon and Washington, the line or lines must 
be affixed to the vessel and must not be intentionally disengaged from 
the vessel at any time during the fishing operation.
    Spread defined: A single leader connected to an individual lure 
and/or bait.
    Circle hook defined: A hook with a generally circular shape and a 
point which turns inward, pointing directly to the shank at a 90[deg] 
angle.
C.4. Vessel Operation in Closed Areas With Salmon on Board
    a. Except as provided under C.4.b below, it is unlawful for a 
vessel to have troll or recreational gear in the water while in any 
area closed to fishing for a certain species of salmon, while 
possessing that species of salmon; however, fishing for species other 
than salmon is not prohibited if the area is open for such species, and 
no salmon are in possession.
    b. When Genetic Stock Identification (GSI) samples will be 
collected in an area closed to commercial salmon fishing, the 
scientific research permit holder shall notify NOAA Office of Law 
Enforcement (OLE), U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), CDFW, and Oregon State 
Patrol (OSP) at least 24 hours prior to sampling and provide the 
following information: The vessel name, date, location, and time 
collection activities will be done. Any vessel collecting GSI samples 
in a closed area shall not possess any salmon other than those from 
which GSI samples are being collected. Salmon caught for collection of 
GSI samples must be immediately released in good condition after 
collection of samples.
C.5. Control Zone Definitions
    a. Cape Flattery Control Zone--The area from Cape Flattery 
(48[deg]23'00'' N. lat.) to the northern boundary of the U.S. EEZ; and 
the area from Cape Flattery south to Cape Alava (48[deg]10'00'' N. 
lat.) and east of 125[deg]05'00'' W. long.
    b. Mandatory Yelloweye Rockfish Conservation Area--The area in 
Washington Marine Catch Area 3 from 48[deg]00.00' N. lat.; 
125[deg]14.00' W. long. to 48[deg]02.00' N. lat.; 125[deg]14.00' W. 
long. to 48[deg]02.00' N. lat.; 125[deg]16.50' W. long. to 
48[deg]00.00' N. lat.; 125[deg]16.50' W. long. and connecting back to 
48[deg]00.00' N. lat.; 125[deg]14.00' W. long.
    c. Grays Harbor Control Zone--The area defined by a line drawn from 
the Westport Lighthouse (46[deg]53'18'' N. lat., 124[deg]07'01'' W. 
long.) to Buoy 2 (46[deg]52'42'' N. lat., 124[deg]12'42'' W. 
long.) to Buoy 3 (46[deg]55'00'' N. lat., 124[deg]14'48'' W. 
long.) to the Grays Harbor north jetty (46[deg]55'36'' N. lat., 
124[deg]10'51'' W. long.).
    d. Columbia Control Zone--An area at the Columbia River mouth, 
bounded on the west by a line running northeast/southwest between the 
red lighted Buoy 4 (46[deg]13'35'' N. lat., 124[deg]06'50'' W. 
long.) and the green lighted Buoy 7 (46[deg]15'09'' N. lat., 
124[deg]06'16'' W. long.); on the east, by the Buoy 10 line 
which bears north/south at 357[deg] true from the south jetty at 
46[deg]14'00'' N. lat., 124[deg]03'07'' W. long. to its intersection 
with the north jetty; on the north, by a line running northeast/
southwest between the green lighted Buoy 7 to the tip of the 
north jetty (46[deg]15'48'' N. lat., 124[deg]05'20'' W. long.), and 
then along the north jetty to the point of intersection with the Buoy 
10 line; and, on the south, by a line running northeast/
southwest between the red lighted Buoy 4 and tip of the south 
jetty (46[deg]14'03'' N. lat., 124[deg]04'05'' W. long.), and then 
along the south jetty to the point of intersection with the Buoy 
10 line.
    e. Klamath Control Zone--The ocean area at the Klamath River mouth 
bounded on the north by 41[deg]38'48'' N. lat. (approximately six 
nautical miles north of the Klamath River mouth); on the west, by 
124[deg]23'00'' W. long. (approximately 12 nautical miles off shore); 
and on the south, by 41[deg]26'48'' N. lat. (approximately six nautical 
miles south of the Klamath River mouth).
C.6. Notification When Unsafe Conditions Prevent Compliance With 
Regulations
    If prevented by unsafe weather conditions or mechanical problems 
from meeting special management area landing restrictions, vessels must 
notify the U.S. Coast Guard and receive acknowledgment of such 
notification prior to leaving the area. This notification shall include 
the name of the vessel, port where delivery will be made, approximate 
amount of salmon (by species) on board, the estimated time of arrival, 
and the specific reason the vessel is not able to meet special 
management area landing restrictions.
    In addition to contacting the U.S. Coast Guard, vessels fishing 
south of the Oregon/California border must notify CDFW within one hour 
of leaving the management area by calling 800-889-8346 and providing 
the same information as reported to the U.S. Coast Guard. All salmon 
must be offloaded within 24 hours of reaching port.
C.7. Incidental Halibut Harvest
    During authorized periods, the operator of a vessel that has been 
issued an incidental halibut harvest license may retain Pacific halibut 
caught incidentally in Area 2A while trolling for salmon. Halibut 
retained must be no less than 32 inches (81.28 cm) in total length, 
measured from the tip of the lower jaw with the mouth closed to the 
extreme end of the middle of the tail, and must be landed with the head 
on. License applications for incidental harvest must be obtained from 
the International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) (phone: 206-634-
1838). Applicants must apply prior to April 1, 2013 for 2013 permits 
and mid-March 2014 (exact date to be set by the IPHC in early 2014) for 
2014 permits. Incidental harvest is authorized only during May and June 
of the 2013 troll seasons and April, May, and June of the 2014 troll 
seasons and after June 30 in 2013 or 2014 if quota remains and if 
announced on the NMFS hotline (phone: 800-662-9825). WDFW, ODFW,

[[Page 25872]]

and CDFW will monitor landings. If the landings are projected to exceed 
the 30,600 pound preseason allocation or the total Area 2A non-Indian 
commercial halibut allocation, NMFS will take inseason action to 
prohibit retention of halibut in the non-Indian salmon troll fishery.
    Beginning May 1, 2013 through April 30, 2014, IPHC license holders 
may land or possess no more than one Pacific halibut per each three 
Chinook, except one Pacific halibut may be possessed or landed without 
meeting the ratio requirement, and no more than 15 halibut may be 
possessed or landed per trip. Pacific halibut retained must be no less 
than 32 inches in total length (with head on).
    Incidental Pacific halibut catch regulations in the commercial 
salmon troll fishery adopted for 2013 will be in effect when incidental 
Pacific halibut retention opens on April 1, 2014 unless modified by 
inseason action.
    A ``C-shaped'' yelloweye rockfish conservation area (YRCA) is an 
area to be voluntarily avoided for salmon trolling. NMFS and the 
Council request salmon trollers voluntarily avoid this area in order to 
protect yelloweye rockfish. The area is defined in Pacific coast 
groundfish regulations (50 CFR 660.70(a)) in the North Coast subarea 
(Washington marine area 3), with the following coordinates in the order 
listed:
    48[deg]18' N. lat.; 125[deg]18' W. long.;
    48[deg]18' N. lat.; 124[deg]59' W. long.;
    48[deg]11' N. lat.; 124[deg]59' W. long.;
    48[deg]11' N. lat.; 125[deg]11' W. long.;
    48[deg]04' N. lat.; 125[deg]11' W. long.;
    48[deg]04' N. lat.; 124[deg]59' W. long.;
    48[deg]00' N. lat.; 124[deg]59' W. long.;
    48[deg]00' N. lat.; 125[deg]18' W. long.;
    and connecting back to 48[deg]18' N. lat.; 125[deg]18' W. long.
C.8. Inseason Management
    In addition to standard inseason actions or modifications already 
noted under the season description, the following inseason guidance 
applies:
    a. Chinook remaining from the May through June non-Indian 
commercial troll harvest guideline north of Cape Falcon may be 
transferred to the July through September harvest guideline, if the 
transfer would not result in exceeding preseason impact expectations on 
any stocks.
    b. Chinook remaining from the June and/or July non-Indian 
commercial troll quotas in the Oregon KMZ may be transferred to the 
Chinook quota for the next open period if the transfer would not result 
in exceeding preseason impact expectations on any stocks.
    c. Chinook remaining from the May, June, and/or July non-Indian 
commercial troll quotas in the California KMZ may be transferred to the 
Chinook quota for the next open period if the transfer would not result 
in exceeding preseason impact expectations on any stocks.
    d. NMFS may transfer fish between the recreational and commercial 
fisheries north of Cape Falcon if there is agreement among the areas' 
representatives on the Salmon Advisory Subpanel (SAS), and if the 
transfer would not result in exceeding the preseason impact 
expectations on any stocks.
    e. At the March 2014 meeting, the Council will consider inseason 
recommendations for special regulations for any experimental fisheries 
(proposals must meet Council protocol and be received in November 
2013).
    f. If retention of unmarked coho is permitted by inseason action, 
the allowable coho quota will be adjusted to ensure preseason projected 
impacts on all stocks are not exceeded.
    g. Landing limits may be modified inseason to sustain season length 
and keep harvest within overall quotas.
C.9. State Waters Fisheries
    Consistent with Council management objectives:
    a. The State of Oregon may establish additional late-season 
fisheries in state waters.
    b. The State of California may establish limited fisheries in 
selected state waters.
    Check state regulations for details.
C.10. For the purposes of California Fish and Game Code, Section 
8232.5, the definition of the Klamath Management Zone (KMZ) for the 
ocean salmon season is the area from Humbug Mountain, Oregon, to Horse 
Mountain, California.
Section 2. Recreational Management Measures for 2013 Ocean Salmon 
Fisheries
    Parts A, B, and C of this section contain restrictions that must be 
followed for lawful participation in the fishery. Part A identifies 
each fishing area and provides the geographic boundaries from north to 
south, the open seasons for the area, the salmon species allowed to be 
caught during the seasons, and any other special restrictions effective 
in the area. Part B specifies minimum size limits. Part C specifies 
special requirements, definitions, restrictions and exceptions.

A. Season Description

North of Cape Falcon, OR
--U.S./Canada Border to Queets River

    May 10 through 11, May 17 through 18, and June 22 through 28 or a 
coastwide marked Chinook quota of 8,000 (C.5).
    Seven days per week. Two fish per day, all salmon except coho, all 
Chinook must be marked with a healed adipose fin clip (C.1). Chinook 
24-inch total length minimum size limit (B). See gear restrictions 
(C.2). Inseason management may be used to sustain season length and 
keep harvest within the overall Chinook recreational TAC for north of 
Cape Falcon (C.5).

--Queets River to Leadbetter Point

    June 8 through earlier of June 22 or a coastwide marked Chinook 
quota of 8,000 (C.5).
    Seven days per week. Two fish per day, all salmon except coho, all 
Chinook must be marked with a healed adipose fin clip (C.1). Chinook 
24-inch total length minimum size limit (B). See gear restrictions 
(C.2). Inseason management may be used to sustain season length and 
keep harvest within the overall Chinook recreational TAC for north of 
Cape Falcon (C.5).

--Leadbetter Point to Cape Falcon

    June 8 through earlier of June 21 or a coastwide marked Chinook 
quota of 8,000 (C.5).
    Seven days per week. Two fish per day, all salmon except coho, all 
Chinook must be marked with a healed adipose fin clip (C.1). Chinook 
24-inch total length minimum size limit (B). See gear restrictions 
(C.2). Inseason management may be used to sustain season length and 
keep harvest within the overall Chinook recreational TAC for north of 
Cape Falcon (C.5).

--U.S./Canada Border to Cape Alava (Neah Bay)

    June 29 through earlier of September 22 or 7,780 marked coho 
subarea quota with a subarea guideline of 4,900 Chinook (C.5).
    Seven days per week. All salmon except no chum beginning August 1; 
two fish per day, plus two additional pink salmon. All coho must be 
marked (C.1). Beginning August 1, Chinook non-retention east of the 
Bonilla-Tatoosh line (C.4.a) during Council managed ocean fishery. See 
gear restrictions and definitions (C.2, C.3). Inseason management may 
be used to sustain season length and keep harvest within the overall 
Chinook and coho recreational TACs for north of Cape Falcon (C.5).

--Cape Alava to Queets River (La Push Subarea)

    June 29 through earlier of September 22 or 1,890 marked coho 
subarea quota with a subarea guideline of 1,650 Chinook (C.5).

[[Page 25873]]

    September 28 through earlier of October 13 or 50 marked coho quota 
or 50 Chinook quota (C.5) in the area north of 47[deg]50'00'' N. lat. 
and south of 48[deg]00'00'' N. lat.
    Seven days per week. All salmon; two fish per day, plus two 
additional pink salmon. All coho must be marked (see Ocean Boat Limits, 
C.1). See gear restrictions (C.2, C.3). Inseason management may be used 
to sustain season length and keep harvest within the overall Chinook 
and coho recreational TACs for north of Cape Falcon (C.5).

--Queets River to Leadbetter Point (Westport Subarea)

    June 23 through earlier of September 30 or 27,660 marked coho 
subarea quota with a subarea guideline of 23,500 Chinook (C.5).
    Sunday through Thursday. All salmon; two fish per day, no more than 
one of which can be a Chinook. All coho must be marked (C.1). See gear 
restrictions and definitions (C.2, C.3). Grays Harbor Control Zone 
closed beginning August 11 (C.4). Inseason management may be used to 
sustain season length and keep harvest within the overall Chinook and 
coho recreational TACs for north of Cape Falcon (C.5).

--Leadbetter Point to Cape Falcon (Columbia River Subarea)

    June 22 through earlier of September 30 or 37,380 marked coho 
subarea quota with a subarea guideline of 9,900 Chinook (C.5).
    Seven days per week. All salmon; two fish per day, only one of 
which can be a Chinook. All coho must be marked (C.1). See gear 
restrictions and definitions (C.2, C.3). Columbia Control Zone closed 
(C.4). Inseason management may be used to sustain season length and 
keep harvest within the overall Chinook and coho recreational TACs for 
north of Cape Falcon (C.5).
South of Cape Falcon, OR
--Cape Falcon to Humbug Mountain

    March 15 through October 31 (C.6), except as provided below during 
the all-salmon mark-selective and September non-mark-selective coho 
fisheries.
    Seven days per week. All salmon except coho; two fish per day (B, 
C.1). Chinook minimum size limit of 24 inches total length (B). See 
gear restrictions and definitions (C.2, C.3).
    Non-mark-selective coho fishery: September 1 through the earlier of 
September 30 or a landed catch of 16,000 non-mark-selective coho quota 
(C.5).
    September 1 through 2, then Thursday through Saturday thereafter; 
all salmon, two fish per day (C.5);
    September 3 through 4, then Sunday through Wednesday thereafter; 
all salmon except coho, two fish per day. The all salmon except coho 
season reopens the earlier of October 1 or attainment of the coho 
quota. Open days may be adjusted inseason to utilize the available coho 
quota (C.5).
    In 2014, the season between Cape Falcon and Humbug Mountain will 
open March 15 for all salmon except coho, two fish per day (B, C.1, 
C.2, C.3).
    Fishing in the Stonewall Bank yelloweye rockfish conservation area 
restricted to trolling only on days the all depth recreational halibut 
fishery is open (call the halibut fishing hotline 1-800-662-9825 for 
specific dates) (C.3.b, C.4.d).

--Cape Falcon to Oregon/California Border
    All-salmon mark-selective coho fishery: July 1 through earlier of 
July 31 or a landed catch of 10,500 marked coho.
    Seven days per week. All salmon, two fish per day. All retained 
coho must be marked (C.1). Any remainder of the mark selective coho 
quota will be transferred on an impact neutral basis to the September 
non-selective coho quota from Cape Falcon to Humbug Mountain (C.5). The 
all salmon except coho season reopens the earlier of August 1 or 
attainment of the coho quota.
    Fishing in the Stonewall Bank yelloweye rockfish conservation area 
restricted to trolling only on days the all depth recreational halibut 
fishery is open (call the halibut fishing hotline 1-800-662-9825 for 
specific dates) (C.3.b, C.4.d).

--Humbug Mountain to Oregon/California Border (Oregon KMZ)

    May 1 through September 8, except as provided above during the all-
salmon mark-selective coho fishery (C.6).
    All salmon except coho, except as noted above in the all-salmon 
mark-selective coho fishery. Seven days per week, two fish per day 
(C.1). Chinook minimum size limit of 24 inches total length (B). See 
gear restrictions and definitions (C.2, C.3).

--Oregon/California Border to Horse Mountain (California KMZ)

    May 1 through September 8 (C.6).
    Seven days per week. All salmon except coho, two fish per day 
(C.1). Chinook minimum size limit of 20 inches total length (B). See 
gear restrictions and definitions (C.2, C.3). Klamath Control Zone 
closed in August (C.4.e). See California State regulations for 
additional closures adjacent to the Smith, Eel, and Klamath Rivers.

    --Horse Mountain to Point Arena (Fort Bragg)

    April 6 through November 10.
    Seven days per week. All salmon except coho, two fish per day 
(C.1). Chinook minimum size limit of 20 inches total length (B). See 
gear restrictions and definitions (C.2, C.3).
    In 2014, season opens April 5 for all salmon except coho, two fish 
per day (C.1). Chinook minimum size limit of 20 inches total length 
(B); and the same gear restrictions as in 2013 (C.2, C.3). This opening 
could be modified following Council review at its March 2014 meeting.

--Point Arena to Pigeon Point (San Francisco)

    April 6 through November 10.
    Open five days per week (Wednesday through Sunday) June 1 through 
July 9, seven days per week otherwise. All salmon except coho, two fish 
per day (C.1). Chinook minimum size limit of 24 inches total length 
through July 31; 20 inches thereafter (B). See gear restrictions and 
definitions (C.2, C.3).
    In 2014, season opens April 5 for all salmon except coho, two fish 
per day (C.1). Chinook minimum size limit of 24 inches total length 
(B); and the same gear restrictions as in 2013 (C.2, C.3). This opening 
could be modified following Council review at its March 2014 meeting.

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

    April 6 through October 6.
    Open five days per week (Wednesday through Sunday) June 1 through 
July 9, seven days per week otherwise. All salmon except coho, two fish 
per day (C.1). Chinook minimum size limit of 24 inches total length 
(B). See gear restrictions and definitions (C.2, C.3).
    In 2014, season opens April 5 for all salmon except coho, two fish 
per day (C.1). Chinook minimum size limit of 24 inches total length 
(B); and the same gear restrictions as in 2013 (C.2, C.3). This opening 
could be modified following Council review at its March 2014 meeting.
    California State regulations require that all salmon be made 
available to a CDFW representative for sampling immediately at port of 
landing. Any person in possession of a salmon with a missing adipose 
fin, upon request by an authorized agent or employee of the CDFW, shall 
immediately relinquish the head of the salmon to the state (California 
Fish and Game Code Sec.  8226).

[[Page 25874]]

B. Minimum Size (Total Length in Inches) (See C.1)

------------------------------------------------------------------------
       Area (when open)           Chinook        Coho          Pink
------------------------------------------------------------------------
North of Cape Falcon..........         24.0         16.0  None
Cape Falcon to Humbug Mountain         24.0         16.0  None
Humbug Mt. to OR/CA Border....         24.0         16.0  None
OR/CA Border to Horse Mountain         20.0  ...........  20.0
Horse Mountain to Point Arena.         20.0  ...........  20.0
Point Arena to Pigeon Point:
    April 6 to July 31........         24.0  ...........  24.0
    August 1 to November 10...         20.0  ...........  20.0
    Pigeon Point to U.S./              24.0  ...........  24.0
     Mexico Border.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Metric equivalents: 24.0 in = 61.0 cm, 20.0 in = 50.8 cm, and 16.0 in =
  40.6 cm.

C. Special Requirements, Definitions, Restrictions, or Exceptions

C.1. Compliance With Minimum Size and Other Special Restrictions
    All salmon on board a vessel must meet the minimum size or other 
special requirements for the area being fished and the area in which 
they are landed if that area is open. Salmon may be landed in an area 
that is closed only if they meet the minimum size or other special 
requirements for the area in which they were caught.
    Ocean Boat Limits: Off the coast of Washington, Oregon, and 
California, each fisher aboard a vessel may continue to use angling 
gear until the combined daily limits of Chinook and coho salmon for all 
licensed and juvenile anglers aboard have been attained (additional 
state restrictions may apply).
C.2. Gear Restrictions
    Salmon may be taken only by hook and line using barbless hooks. All 
persons fishing for salmon, and all persons fishing from a boat with 
salmon on board, must meet the gear restrictions listed below for 
specific areas or seasons.
    a. U.S./Canada Border to Point Conception, California: No more than 
one rod may be used per angler; and no more than two single point, 
single shank barbless hooks are required for all fishing gear. [Note: 
ODFW regulations in the state-water fishery off Tillamook Bay may allow 
the use of barbed hooks to be consistent with inside regulations.]
    b. Horse Mountain, California, to Point Conception, California: 
Single point, single shank, barbless circle hooks (see gear definitions 
below) are required when fishing with bait by any means other than 
trolling, and no more than two such hooks shall be used. When angling 
with two hooks, the distance between the hooks must not exceed five 
inches when measured from the top of the eye of the top hook to the 
inner base of the curve of the lower hook, and both hooks must be 
permanently tied in place (hard tied). Circle hooks are not required 
when artificial lures are used without bait.
C.3. Gear Definitions
    a. Recreational fishing gear defined: Off Oregon and Washington, 
angling tackle consists of a single line that must be attached to a rod 
and reel held by hand or closely attended; the rod and reel must be 
held by hand while playing a hooked fish. No person may use more than 
one rod and line while fishing off Oregon or Washington. Off 
California, the line must be attached to a rod and reel held by hand or 
closely attended; weights directly attached to a line may not exceed 
four pounds (1.8 kg). While fishing off California north of Point 
Conception, no person fishing for salmon, and no person fishing from a 
boat with salmon on board, may use more than one rod and line. Fishing 
includes any activity which can reasonably be expected to result in the 
catching, taking, or harvesting of fish.
    b. Trolling defined: Angling from a boat or floating device that is 
making way by means of a source of power, other than drifting by means 
of the prevailing water current or weather conditions.
    c. Circle hook defined: A hook with a generally circular shape and 
a point which turns inward, pointing directly to the shank at a 90[deg] 
angle.
C.4. Control Zone Definitions
    a. The Bonilla-Tatoosh Line--A line running from the western end of 
Cape Flattery to Tatoosh Island Lighthouse (48[deg]23'30'' N. lat., 
124[deg]44'12'' W. long.) to the buoy adjacent to Duntze Rock 
(48[deg]24'37'' N. lat., 124[deg]44'37'' W. long.), then in a straight 
line to Bonilla Point (48[deg]35'39'' N. lat., 124[deg]42'58'' W. 
long.) on Vancouver Island, British Columbia.
    b. Grays Harbor Control Zone--The area defined by a line drawn from 
the Westport Lighthouse (46[deg]53'18'' N. lat., 124[deg]07'01'' W. 
long.) to Buoy 2 (46[deg]52'42'' N. lat., 124[deg]12'42'' W. 
long.) to Buoy 3 (46[deg]55'00'' N. lat., 124[deg]14'48'' W. 
long.) to the Grays Harbor north jetty (46[deg]55'36'' N. lat., 
124[deg]10'51'' W. long.).
    c. Columbia Control Zone--An area at the Columbia River mouth, 
bounded on the west by a line running northeast/southwest between the 
red lighted Buoy 4 (46[deg]13'35'' N. lat., 124[deg]06'50'' W. 
long.) and the green lighted Buoy 7 (46[deg]15'09'' N. lat., 
124[deg]06'16'' W. long.); on the east, by the Buoy 10 line 
which bears north/south at 357[deg] true from the south jetty at 
46[deg]14'00'' N. lat., 124[deg]03'07'' W. long. to its intersection 
with the north jetty; on the north, by a line running northeast/
southwest between the green lighted Buoy 7 to the tip of the 
north jetty (46[deg]15'48'' N. lat., 124[deg]05'20'' W. long.) and then 
along the north jetty to the point of intersection with the Buoy 
10 line; and on the south, by a line running northeast/
southwest between the red lighted Buoy 4 and tip of the south 
jetty (46[deg]14'03'' N. lat., 124[deg]04'05'' W. long.), and then 
along the south jetty to the point of intersection with the Buoy 
10 line.
    d. Stonewall Bank yelloweye rockfish conservation area--The area 
defined by the following coordinates in the order listed:
    44[deg]37.46' N. lat.; 124[deg]24.92' W. long.;
    44[deg]37.46' N. lat.; 124[deg]23.63' W. long.;
    44[deg]28.71' N. lat.; 124[deg]21.80' W. long.;
    44[deg]28.71' N. lat.; 124[deg]24.10' W. long.;
    44[deg]31.42' N. lat.; 124[deg]25.47' W. long.;
    and connecting back to 44[deg]37.46' N. lat.; 124[deg]24.92' W. 
long.
    e. Klamath Control Zone--The ocean area at the Klamath River mouth 
bounded on the north by 41[deg]38'48'' N. lat. (approximately six 
nautical miles north of the Klamath River mouth); on the west, by 
124[deg]23'00'' W. long. (approximately 12 nautical miles off shore); 
and, on the south, by 41[deg]26'48'' N. lat. (approximately 6 nautical 
miles south of the Klamath River mouth).
C.5. Inseason Management
    Regulatory modifications may become necessary inseason to meet 
preseason

[[Page 25875]]

management objectives such as quotas, harvest guidelines, and season 
duration. In addition to standard inseason actions or modifications 
already noted under the season description, the following inseason 
guidance applies:
    a. Actions could include modifications to bag limits, or days open 
to fishing, and extensions or reductions in areas open to fishing.
    b. Coho may be transferred inseason among recreational subareas 
north of Cape Falcon to help meet the recreational season duration 
objectives (for each subarea) after conferring with representatives of 
the affected ports and the Council's SAS recreational representatives 
north of Cape Falcon, and if the transfer would not result in exceeding 
preseason impact expectations on any stocks.
    c. Chinook and coho may be transferred between the recreational and 
commercial fisheries north of Cape Falcon if there is agreement among 
the representatives of the SAS, and if the transfer would not result in 
exceeding preseason impact expectations on any stocks.
    d. Fishery managers may consider inseason action modifying 
regulations restricting retention of unmarked coho. To remain 
consistent with preseason expectations, any inseason action shall 
consider, if significant, the difference between observed and preseason 
forecasted mark rates. Such a consideration may also include a change 
in bag limit of two salmon, no more than one of which may be a coho.
    e. Marked coho remaining from the July Cape Falcon to Oregon/
California border recreational coho quota may be transferred inseason 
to the September Cape Falcon to Humbug Mountain non-mark-selective 
recreational fishery if the transfer would not result in exceeding 
preseason impact expectations on any stocks.
C.6. Additional Seasons in State Territorial Waters
    Consistent with Council management objectives, the States of 
Washington, Oregon, and California may establish limited seasons in 
state waters. Check state regulations for details.
Section 3. Treaty Indian Management Measures for 2013 Ocean Salmon 
Fisheries
    Parts A, B, and C of this section contain requirements that must be 
followed for lawful participation in the fishery.

A. Season Descriptions

    May 1 through the earlier of June 30 or 26,250 Chinook quota. All 
salmon except coho. If the Chinook quota for the May through June 
fishery is not fully utilized, the excess fish may be transferred into 
the later all-salmon season (C.5.a). If the Chinook quota is exceeded, 
the excess will be deducted from the later all-salmon season (C.5). See 
size limit (B) and other restrictions (C).
    July 1 through the earlier of September 15, or 26,250 preseason 
Chinook quota (C.5), or 47,500 coho quota. All salmon. See size limit 
(B) and other restrictions (C).

B. Minimum Size (Inches)

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                Chinook                    Coho
           Area (when open)           ----------------------------------------------------          Pink
                                          Total       Head-off      Total       Head-off
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
North of Cape Falcon.................         24.0         18.0         16.0         12.0  None
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Metric equivalents: 24.0 in = 61.0 cm, 18.0 in = 45.7 cm, 16.0 in = 40.6 cm, and 12.0 in = 30.5 cm.

C. Special Requirements, Restrictions, and Exceptions

C.1. Tribe and Area Boundaries.
    All boundaries may be changed to include such other areas as may 
hereafter be authorized by a Federal court for that tribe's treaty 
fishery.
    S'KLALLAM--Washington State Statistical Area 4B (All).
    MAKAH--Washington State Statistical Area 4B and that portion of the 
FMA north of 48[deg]02'15'' N. lat. (Norwegian Memorial) and east of 
125[deg]44'00'' W. long.
    QUILEUTE--That portion of the FMA between 48[deg]07'36'' N. lat. 
(Sand Pt.) and 47[deg]31'42'' N. lat. (Queets River) and east of 
125[deg]44'00'' W. long.
    HOH--That portion of the FMA between 47[deg]54'18'' N. lat. 
(Quillayute River) and 47[deg]21'00'' N. lat. (Quinault River) and east 
of 125[deg]44'00'' W. long.
    QUINAULT--That portion of the FMA between 47[deg]40'06'' N. lat. 
(Destruction Island) and 46[deg]53'18'' N. lat. (Point Chehalis) and 
east of 125[deg]44'00'' W. long.
C.2. Gear Restrictions
    a. Single point, single shank, barbless hooks are required in all 
fisheries.
    b. No more than eight fixed lines per boat.
    c. No more than four hand held lines per person in the Makah area 
fishery (Washington State Statistical Area 4B and that portion of the 
FMA north of 48[deg]02'15'' N. lat. (Norwegian Memorial) and east of 
125[deg]44'00'' W. long.).
C.3. Quotas
    a. The quotas include troll catches by the S'Klallam and Makah 
tribes in Washington State Statistical Area 4B from May 1 through 
September 15.
    b. The Quileute Tribe will continue a ceremonial and subsistence 
fishery during the time frame of September 15 through October 15 in the 
same manner as in 2004 through 2012. Fish taken during this fishery are 
to be counted against treaty troll quotas established for the 2013 
season (estimated harvest during the October ceremonial and subsistence 
fishery: 100 Chinook; 200 coho).
C.4. Area Closures
    a. The area within a six nautical mile radius of the mouths of the 
Queets River (47[deg]31'42'' N. lat.) and the Hoh River (47[deg]45'12'' 
N. lat.) will be closed to commercial fishing.
    b. A closure within two nautical miles of the mouth of the Quinault 
River (47[deg]21'00'' N. lat.) may be enacted by the Quinault Nation 
and/or the State of Washington and will not adversely affect the 
Secretary of Commerce's management regime.
C.5. Inseason Management
    In addition to standard inseason actions or modifications already 
noted under the season description, the following inseason guidance 
applies:
    a. Chinook remaining from the May through June treaty-Indian ocean 
troll harvest guideline north of Cape Falcon may be transferred to the 
July through September harvest guideline on a fishery impact equivalent 
basis.
Section 4. Halibut Retention
    Under the authority of the Northern Pacific Halibut Act, NMFS 
promulgated regulations governing the Pacific halibut fishery, which 
appear at 50 CFR part 300, subpart E. On March 15, 2013, NMFS published 
a final rule (78 FR 16423) to implement the IPHC's recommendations, to 
announce fishery

[[Page 25876]]

regulations for U.S. waters off Alaska and fishery regulations for 
treaty commercial and ceremonial and subsistence fisheries, some 
regulations for non-treaty commercial fisheries for U.S. waters off the 
West Coast, and approval of and implementation of the Area 2A Pacific 
halibut Catch Sharing Plan and the Area 2A management measures for 
2013. The regulations and management measures provide that vessels 
participating in the salmon troll fishery in Area 2A (all waters off 
the States of Washington, Oregon, and California), which have obtained 
the appropriate IPHC license, may retain halibut caught incidentally 
during authorized periods in conformance with provisions published with 
the annual salmon management measures. A salmon troller may participate 
in the halibut incidental catch fishery during the salmon troll season 
or in the directed commercial fishery targeting halibut, but not both.
    The following measures have been approved by the IPHC, and 
implemented by NMFS. During authorized periods, the operator of a 
vessel that has been issued an incidental halibut harvest license may 
retain Pacific halibut caught incidentally in Area 2A while trolling 
for salmon. Halibut retained must be no less than 32 inches (81.28 cm) 
in total length, measured from the tip of the lower jaw with the mouth 
closed to the extreme end of the middle of the tail, and must be landed 
with the head on. License applications for incidental harvest must be 
obtained from the International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) 
(phone: 206-634-1838). Applicants must apply prior to April 1, 2013 for 
2013 permits and mid-March 2014 (exact date to be set by the IPHC in 
early 2014) for 2014 permits. Incidental harvest is authorized only 
during May and June of the 2013 troll seasons and April, May, and June 
of the 2014 troll seasons and after June 30 in 2013 or 2014 if quota 
remains and if announced on the NMFS hotline (phone: 800-662-9825). 
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), ODFW, and CDFW will 
monitor landings. If the landings are projected to exceed the 30,600 
pound preseason allocation or the total Area 2A non-Indian commercial 
halibut allocation, NMFS will take inseason action to prohibit 
retention of halibut in the non-Indian salmon troll fishery.
    Beginning May 1, 2013 through April 30, 2014, IPHC license holders 
may land or possess no more than one Pacific halibut per each three 
Chinook, except one Pacific halibut may be possessed or landed without 
meeting the ratio requirement, and no more than 15 halibut may be 
possessed or landed per trip. Pacific halibut retained must be no less 
than 32 inches in total length (with head on).
    Incidental Pacific halibut catch regulations in the commercial 
salmon troll fishery adopted for 2013 will be in effect when incidental 
Pacific halibut retention opens on April 1, 2014 unless modified by 
inseason action.
    NMFS and the Council request that salmon trollers voluntarily avoid 
a ``C-shaped'' YRCA (also known as the Salmon Troll YRCA) in order to 
protect yelloweye rockfish. Coordinates for the Salmon Troll YRCA are 
defined at 50 CFR 660.70(a) in the North Coast subarea (Washington 
marine area 3). See Section 1.C.7. in this document for the 
coordinates.
Section 5. Geographical Landmarks
    Wherever the words ``nautical miles off shore'' are used in this 
document, the distance is measured from the baseline from which the 
territorial sea is measured.
    Geographical landmarks referenced in this document are at the 
following locations:

Cape Flattery, WA......................  48[deg]23'00'' N. lat.
Cape Alava, WA.........................  48[deg]10'00'' N. lat.
Queets River, WA.......................  47[deg]31'42'' N. lat.
Leadbetter Point, WA...................  46[deg]38'10'' N. lat.
Cape Falcon, OR........................  45[deg]46'00'' N. lat.
Florence South Jetty, OR...............  44[deg]00'54'' N. lat.
Humbug Mountain, OR....................  42[deg]40'30'' N. lat.
Oregon-California Border...............  42[deg]00'00'' N. lat.
Humboldt South Jetty, CA...............  40[deg]45'53'' N. lat.
Horse Mountain, CA.....................  40[deg]05'00'' N. lat.
Point Arena, CA........................  38[deg]57'30'' N. lat.
Point Reyes, CA........................  37[deg]59'44'' N. lat.
Point San Pedro, CA....................  37[deg]35'40'' N. lat.
Pigeon Point, CA.......................  37[deg]11'00'' N. lat.
Point Sur, CA..........................  36[deg]18'00'' N. lat.
Point Conception, CA...................  34[deg]27'00'' N. lat.
 

Section 6. Inseason Notice Procedures
    Actual notice of inseason management actions will be provided by a 
telephone hotline administered by the Northwest Region, NMFS, 206-526-
6667 or 800-662-9825, and by U.S. Coast Guard Notice to Mariners 
broadcasts. These broadcasts are announced on Channel 16 VHF-FM and 
2182 KHz at frequent intervals. The announcements designate the channel 
or frequency over which the Notice to Mariners will be immediately 
broadcast. Inseason actions will also be filed with the Federal 
Register as soon as practicable. Since provisions of these management 
measures may be altered by inseason actions, fishermen should monitor 
either the telephone hotline or Coast Guard broadcasts for current 
information for the area in which they are fishing.

Classification

    This final rule is necessary for conservation and management of 
Pacific coast salmon stocks and is consistent with the Magnuson-Stevens 
Act and other applicable law. These regulations are being promulgated 
under the authority of 16 U.S.C. 1855(d) and 16 U.S.C. 773(c).
    This notification of annual management measures is exempt from 
review under Executive Order 12866.
    The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries finds good cause under 5 
U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(B), to waive the requirement for prior notice and 
opportunity for public comment, as such procedures are impracticable 
and contrary to the public interest.
    The annual salmon management cycle begins May 1 and continues 
through April 30 of the following year. May 1 was chosen because the 
pre-May harvests constitute a relatively small portion of the annual 
catch. The time-frame of the preseason process for determining the 
annual modifications to ocean salmon fishery management measures 
depends on when the pertinent biological data are available. Salmon 
stocks are managed to meet annual spawning escapement goals or specific 
exploitation rates. Achieving either of these objectives requires 
designing management measures that are appropriate for the ocean 
abundance predicted for that year. These pre-season abundance 
forecasts, which are derived from the previous year's observed spawning 
escapement, vary substantially from year to year, and are not available 
until January or February because spawning escapement continues through 
the fall.
    The preseason planning and public review process associated with 
developing Council recommendations is initiated in February as soon as 
the forecast information becomes available. The public planning process 
requires coordination of management actions of four states, numerous 
Indian tribes, and the Federal Government, all of which have management 
authority over the stocks. This complex process includes the affected 
user groups, as well as the general public. The process is compressed 
into a 2-month period culminating with the April Council meeting at 
which the Council adopts a recommendation that is forwarded to NMFS for 
review, approval, and implementation of fishing regulations effective 
on May 1.
    Providing opportunity for prior notice and public comments on the 
Council's recommended measures through a proposed and final rulemaking 
process

[[Page 25877]]

would require 30 to 60 days in addition to the two-month period 
required for development of the regulations. Delaying implementation of 
annual fishing regulations, which are based on the current stock 
abundance projections, for an additional 60 days would require that 
fishing regulations for May and June be set in the previous year, 
without the benefit of information regarding current stock status. For 
the 2013 fishing regulations, the current stock status was not 
available to the Council until February. Because a substantial amount 
of fishing occurs during May and June, managing the fishery with 
measures developed using the prior year's data could have significant 
adverse effects on the managed stocks, including ESA-listed stocks. 
Although salmon fisheries that open prior to May are managed under the 
prior year's measures, as modified by the Council at its March meeting, 
relatively little harvest occurs during that period (e.g., on average, 
less than 5 percent of commercial and recreational harvest occurred 
prior to May 1 during the years 2001 through 2010). Allowing the much 
more substantial harvest levels normally associated with the May and 
June salmon seasons to be promulgated under the prior year's 
regulations would impair NMFS' ability to protect weak and ESA-listed 
salmon stocks, and to provide harvest opportunity where appropriate. 
The choice of May 1 as the beginning of the regulatory season balances 
the need to gather and analyze the data needed to meet the management 
objectives of the Salmon FMP and the need to manage the fishery using 
the best available scientific information.
    If these measures are not in place on May 1, the 2012 management 
measures will continue to apply in most areas. This would result in 
excessive impacts to some salmon stocks, most notably ESA-listed 
Sacramento River winter Chinook salmon.
    Overall, the annual population dynamics of the various salmon 
stocks require managers to vary the season structure of the various 
West Coast area fisheries to both protect weaker stocks and give 
fishers access to stronger salmon stocks, particularly hatchery 
produced fish. Failure to implement these measures immediately could 
compromise the status of certain stocks, or result in foregone 
opportunity to harvest stocks whose abundance has increased relative to 
the previous year thereby undermining the purpose of this agency 
action.
    In addition, public comment is received and considered by the 
Council and NMFS throughout the process of developing these management 
measures. As described above, the Council takes comment at its March 
and April meetings, and hears summaries of comments received at public 
meetings held between the March and April meetings in each of the 
coastal states. NMFS also invited comments in a notice published prior 
to the March Council meeting, and considered comments received by the 
Council through its representative on the Council. Thus, these measures 
were developed with significant public input.
    Based upon the above-described need to have these measures 
effective on May 1 and the fact that there is limited time available to 
implement these new measures after the final Council meeting in April 
and before the commencement of the ocean salmon fishing year on May 1, 
NMFS has concluded it is impracticable, unnecessary, and contrary to 
the public interest to provide an opportunity for prior notice and 
public comment under 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(B).
    The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries also finds that good 
cause exists under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3), to waive the 30-day delay in 
effectiveness of this final rule. As previously discussed, data are not 
available until February and management measures are not finalized 
until mid-April. These measures are essential to conserve threatened 
and endangered ocean salmon stocks, and to provide for harvest of more 
abundant stocks. Delaying the effectiveness of these measures by 30 
days could compromise the ability of some stocks to attain their 
conservation objectives, preclude harvest opportunity, and negatively 
impact anticipated international, state, and tribal salmon fisheries, 
thereby undermining the purposes of this agency action and the 
requirements of the Magnuson-Stevens Act.
    To enhance the fishing industry's notification of these new 
measures, and to minimize the burden on the regulated community 
required to comply with the new regulations, NMFS is announcing the new 
measures over the telephone hotline used for inseason management 
actions and is posting the regulations on both of its West Coast 
regional Web sites (www.nwr.noaa.gov and swr.nmfs.noaa.gov). NMFS is 
also advising the States of Washington, Oregon, and California on the 
new management measures. These states announce the seasons for 
applicable state and Federal fisheries through their own public 
notification systems.
    This action contains collection-of-information requirements subject 
to the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA), and which have been approved by 
the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under control number 0648-
0433. The public reporting burden for providing notifications if 
landing area restrictions cannot be met is estimated to average 15 
minutes per response. This estimate includes the time for reviewing 
instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and 
maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the 
collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden 
estimate, or any other aspect of this data collection, including 
suggestions for reducing the burden, to NMFS (see ADDRESSES) and by 
email to OIRA.Submission@omb.eop.gov, or fax to 202-395-7285.
    Notwithstanding any other provision of the law, no person is 
required to respond to, nor shall any person be subject to a penalty 
for failure to comply with, a collection of information subject to the 
requirements of the PRA, unless that collection of information displays 
a currently valid OMB control number.
    NMFS has current ESA biological opinions that cover fishing under 
these regulations on all listed salmon species. NMFS reiterated their 
consultation standards for all ESA listed salmon and steelhead species 
in their annual Guidance letter to the Council dated February 28, 2013. 
Some of NMFS past biological opinions have found no jeopardy, and 
others have found jeopardy, but provided reasonable and prudent 
alternatives to avoid jeopardy. The management measures for 2013 are 
consistent with the biological opinions that found no jeopardy, and 
with the reasonable and prudent alternatives in the jeopardy biological 
opinions. The Council's recommended management measures therefore 
comply with NMFS' consultation standards and guidance for all listed 
salmon species which may be affected by Council fisheries. In many 
cases, the recommended measures are more restrictive than NMFS' ESA 
requirements.
    In 2009, NMFS consulted on the effects of fishing under the Salmon 
FMP on the endangered Southern Resident Killer Whale Distinct 
Population Segment (SRKW) and concluded the salmon fisheries were not 
likely to jeopardize SRKW. The 2013 salmon management measures are 
consistent with the terms of that biological opinion.
    This final rule was developed after meaningful consultation and 
collaboration with the affected tribes. The tribal representative on 
the Council made the motion for the regulations that apply to the 
tribal vessels.


[[Page 25878]]


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

    Dated: April 29, 2013.
Alan D. Risenhoover,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, performing the functions and 
duties of the Deputy Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, National 
Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-10462 Filed 4-30-13; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P