Fisheries Off West Coast States; Modifications of the West Coast Commercial Salmon Fisheries; Inseason Actions #6 Through #11, 50347-50350 [2013-20181]

Download as PDF pmangrum on DSK3VPTVN1PROD with RULES Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 160 / Monday, August 19, 2013 / Rules and Regulations daily retention limit, 2013 General category landings remain low. As of August 9, 2013, 110.4 mt of the 2013 General category quota of 435.1 mt have been landed, and landings rates remain at approximately 1 mt per day. Given the rollover of unused quota from the one time period to the next, current catch rates, and the fact that the daily retention limit will automatically revert to one large medium or giant BFT per vessel per day on September 1, 2013, absent agency action, NMFS anticipates the full 2013 General category quota may not be harvested. However, based on the pattern exhibited over the last few years, NMFS anticipates an increase in both landings of BFT (in number) and average fish weight for the remainder of the year, relative to the same period of 2012, such that a continued three-fish limit may result in higher landings than in previous years. A lower limit could result in unused quota being added to the later portion of the General category season (i.e., rolling forward to the subsequent subquota time period). Increasing the daily retention limit from the default may mitigate rolling an excessive amount of unused quota from one time-period subquota to the next. Increasing the daily limit from three to four or five fish may risk exceeding the available General category quota. As referred to above, by late November 2012, NMFS determined that the General category had reached 98 percent of its 2012 quota of 435.1 mt under the three-fish limit that was in effect. In order to extend fishing opportunities and allow continued collection of biological samples from General category landings throughout the remainder of 2012, NMFS transferred 40 mt of available quota from the Reserve to the General category (77 FR 74612, December 17, 2012). The Reserve quota available for transfers in 2013 will be under 23 mt, substantially less than in recent years, and will depend on reported 2013 research landings to date. Based on these considerations, NMFS has determined that a three-fish General category retention limit is warranted at this time. That retention limit should provide a reasonable opportunity to harvest the U.S. BFT quota, without exceeding it, while maintaining an equitable distribution of fishing opportunities; help achieve optimum yield in the General category BFT fishery; allow the collection of a broad range of data for stock monitoring purposes; and be consistent with the objectives of the 2006 Consolidated HMS FMP. Therefore, NMFS increases the General category retention limit from the default limit (one) to three VerDate Mar<15>2010 15:00 Aug 16, 2013 Jkt 229001 large medium or giant BFT per vessel per day/trip, effective September 1, 2013, through December 31, 2013. Regardless of the duration of a fishing trip, the daily retention limit applies upon landing. For example, whether a vessel fishing under the General category limit takes a two-day trip or makes two trips in one day, the daily limit of three fish may not be exceeded upon landing. This General category retention limit is effective in all areas, except for the Gulf of Mexico, and applies to those vessels permitted in the General category, as well as to those HMS Charter/Headboat permitted vessels fishing commercially for BFT. Monitoring and Reporting NMFS will continue to monitor the BFT fishery closely through the mandatory dealer landing reports, which NMFS requires to be submitted within 24 hours of a dealer receiving BFT. Depending on the level of fishing effort and catch rates of BFT, NMFS may determine that additional retention limit adjustment or closure is necessary to ensure available quota is not exceeded or to enhance scientific data collection from, and fishing opportunities in, all geographic areas. Closures or subsequent adjustments to the daily retention limits, if any, will be published in the Federal Register. In addition, fishermen may call the Atlantic Tunas Information Line at (888) 872–8862 or (978) 281–9260, or access hmspermits.noaa.gov, for updates on quota monitoring and retention limit adjustments. Classification The Assistant Administrator for NMFS (AA) finds that it is impracticable and contrary to the public interest to provide prior notice of, and an opportunity for public comment on, this action for the following reasons: The regulations implementing the 2006 Consolidated HMS FMP provide for inseason retention limit adjustments to respond to the unpredictable nature of BFT availability on the fishing grounds, the migratory nature of the species, and the regional variations in the BFT fishery. Affording prior notice and opportunity for public comment to implement these retention limits is impracticable as NMFS needs to wait until it has necessary data and information about the fishery before it can select the appropriate retention limit for a time period prescribed by regulation. By the time NMFS has the necessary data, implementing the retention limit following a public comment period would preclude fishermen from harvesting BFT that are PO 00000 Frm 00035 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 50347 legally available consistent with all of the regulatory criteria. Analysis of available data shows that the General category BFT retention limits may be increased with minimal risks of exceeding the ICCAT-allocated quota. Delays in increasing these retention limits would adversely affect those General and Charter/Headboat category vessels that would otherwise have an opportunity to harvest more than the default retention limit of one BFT per day/trip and may exacerbate the problem of low catch rates and quota rollovers. Limited opportunities to harvest the respective quotas may have negative social and economic impacts for U.S. fishermen that depend upon catching the available quota within the time periods designated in the 2006 Consolidated HMS FMP. Adjustment of the retention limit needs to be effective September 1, 2013, or as soon as possible thereafter, to minimize any unnecessary disruption in fishing patterns, to allow the impacted sectors to benefit from the adjustment, and to not preclude fishing opportunities for fishermen in geographic areas with access to the fishery only during this time period. Therefore, the AA finds good cause under 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B) to waive prior notice and the opportunity for public comment. For these reasons, there is good cause under 5 U.S.C. 553(d) to waive the 30-day delay in effectiveness. This action is being taken under § 635.23(a)(4) and is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 971 et seq. and 1801 et seq. Dated: August 14, 2013. James P. Burgess, Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2013–20176 Filed 8–16–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 660 [Docket No. 130108020–3409–01] RIN 0648–XC738 Fisheries Off West Coast States; Modifications of the West Coast Commercial Salmon Fisheries; Inseason Actions #6 Through #11 National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. AGENCY: E:\FR\FM\19AUR1.SGM 19AUR1 50348 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 160 / Monday, August 19, 2013 / Rules and Regulations Modification of fishing seasons; request for comments. ACTION: NOAA Fisheries announces six inseason actions in the ocean salmon fisheries. These inseason actions modified the commercial fisheries in the area from the U.S./Canada Border to Humboldt South Jetty. DATES: The effective dates for the inseason actions are set out in this document under the heading Inseason Actions. Comments will be accepted through September 3, 2013. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by NOAA–NMFS–2012–0248, by any one of the following methods: • Electronic Submissions: Submit all electronic public comments via the Federal eRulemaking Portal. Go to www.regulations.gov/ #!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-20120248, click the ‘‘Comment Now!’’ icon, complete the required fields, and enter or attach your comments. • Mail: William W. Stelle, Jr., Regional Administrator, Northwest Region, NMFS, 7600 Sand Point Way NE., Seattle, WA, 98115–6349. • Fax: 206–526–6736, Attn: Peggy Mundy. Instructions: Comments sent by any other method, to any other address or individual, or received after the end of the comment period, may not be considered by NMFS. All comments SUMMARY: received are a part of the public record and will generally be posted for public viewing on www.regulations.gov without change. All personal identifying information (e.g., name, address, etc.), confidential business information, or otherwise sensitive information submitted voluntarily by the sender will be publicly accessible. NMFS will accept anonymous comments (enter ‘‘N/ A’’ in the required fields if you wish to remain anonymous). Attachments to electronic comments will be accepted in Microsoft Word, Excel, or Adobe PDF file formats only. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Peggy Mundy at 206–526–4323. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background In the 2013 annual management measures for ocean salmon fisheries (78 FR 25865, May 3, 2013), NMFS announced the commercial and recreational fisheries in the area from the U.S./Canada Border to the U.S./ Mexico Border, beginning May 1, 2013, and 2014 salmon seasons opening earlier than May 1, 2014. NMFS is authorized to implement inseason management actions to modify fishing seasons and quotas as necessary to provide fishing opportunity while meeting management objectives for the affected species (50 CFR 660.409). Inseason actions in the salmon fishery may be taken directly by NMFS (50 CFR 660.409(a)—Fixed inseason management provisions) or upon consultation with the Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) and the appropriate State Directors (50 CFR 660.409(b)—Flexible inseason management provisions). Management of the salmon fisheries is generally divided into two geographic areas: North of Cape Falcon (U.S./ Canada Border to Cape Falcon, Oregon) and south of Cape Falcon (Cape Falcon, Oregon to the U.S./Mexico Border). Inseason actions #6 through #10 in this document apply south of Cape Falcon; inseason action #11 in this document applies north of Cape Falcon. The fisheries affected by the inseason actions in this document are all based on quotas to manage impacts on specific salmon stocks that constrain fisheries to meet conservation objectives, annual catch limits (ACLs), and consultation standards for stocks listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA-listed). Annual management measures allow for adjusting quotas among fishing periods on an impact neutral basis, as calculated by the Salmon Technical Team (STT). Inseason Action The table below lists the inseason actions announced in this document. Inseason action number Effective date Salmon fishery affected 6 ....................... June 4, 2013 .... 7 ....................... June 9, 2013 .... 8 ....................... June 11, 2013 .. 9 ....................... July 3, 2013 ...... 10 ..................... July 3, 2013 ...... 11 ..................... July 3, 2013 ...... Commercial fishery from the Oregon/California Border to Humboldt South Jetty (California Klamath Management Zone or CA–KMZ).. Commercial fishery from the Oregon/California Border to Humboldt South Jetty (California Klamath Management Zone or CA–KMZ).. Commercial fishery from the Oregon/California Border to Humboldt South Jetty (California Klamath Management Zone or CA–KMZ).. Commercial fishery from the Oregon/California Border to Humboldt South Jetty (California Klamath Management Zone or CA–KMZ).. Commercial fishery from Humbug Mountain to the Oregon/California Border (Oregon Klamath Management Zone or OR–KMZ).. Commercial fisheries from the US/Canada Border to Cape Falcon.. pmangrum on DSK3VPTVN1PROD with RULES Inseason Action #6 The RA consulted with representatives of the Council, California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), and Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) on June 4, 2013. The information considered during this consultation related to updated catch information from the May commercial salmon fishery in the CA– KMZ. Inseason action #6 adjusted the commercial salmon quota for June in the CA–KMZ. This action was taken to allow access to available quota within allowable impacts to constraining VerDate Mar<15>2010 15:00 Aug 16, 2013 Jkt 229001 stocks. The May fishery had a quota of 3,000 Chinook salmon; actual landings were 2,700 Chinook salmon; therefore, 300 Chinook quota from May remained. The Salmon Technical Team (STT) calculated that transferring 300 Chinook from the May fishery to the June fishery in the CA–KMZ on an impact neutral basis for Klamath River fall Chinook (KRFC) would result in an addition of 352 Chinook salmon to the June quota, which was set preseason at 3,000 Chinook salmon. KRFC is the constraining stock for CA–KMZ fisheries to meet ACLs and as a surrogate for impacts to ESA-listed California coastal Chinook salmon. On PO 00000 Frm 00036 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 June 4, 2013, the states recommended adopting an adjusted quota of 3,352 Chinook salmon for the June commercial fishery in the CA–KMZ and the RA concurred. Inseason action #6 took effect on June 4, 2013 and remains in effect to the end of the season. Inseason action to modify quotas and/or fishing seasons is authorized by § 660.409(b)(1)(i). Inseason Action #7 The RA consulted with representatives of the Council, CDFW, and ODFW on June 7, 2013. The information considered during this consultation related to catch and E:\FR\FM\19AUR1.SGM 19AUR1 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 160 / Monday, August 19, 2013 / Rules and Regulations effort to date in the commercial salmon fishery in the CA–KMZ. Inseason action #7 closed the commercial salmon fishery in this area at 11:59 p.m., June 9, 2013 to allow managers the opportunity to evaluate catch to date, which was projected to be approaching the June quota. This action was taken to prevent exceeding the June quota. On June 7, 2013, the state of California recommended this action and the RA concurred. Inseason action #7 took effect on June 9, 2013 and remained in effect until superseded by inseason action #8 on June 11, 2013. Inseason action to modify quotas and/or fishing seasons is authorized by § 660.409(b)(1)(i). pmangrum on DSK3VPTVN1PROD with RULES Inseason Action #8 The RA consulted with representatives of the Council, CDFW, and ODFW on June 10, 2013. The information considered during this consultation related to catch and effort to date in the commercial salmon fishery in the CA–KMZ, including landings reported subsequent to the closure implemented under inseason action #7. The state of California recommended that sufficient quota remained to support an additional 24hour opening of this fishery and the RA concurred. Inseason action #8 reopened this fishery from 12:01 a.m., Tuesday, June 11, 2013 to 11:59 p.m., Tuesday, June 11, 2013, after which the fishery remained closed for the remainder of June. This action was taken to provide access to, without exceeding, remaining quota for the June fishery. Inseason action to modify quotas and/or fishing seasons is authorized by § 660.409(b)(1)(i). Inseason Action #9 The RA consulted with representatives of the Council, CDFW, ODFW, and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) on July 3, 2013. The information considered during this consultation related to catch information from the June commercial salmon fishery in the CA–KMZ. Inseason action #9 adjusted the commercial salmon quota for July in the CA–KMZ. This action was taken to allow access to available quota within allowable impacts to constraining stocks. The June fishery had an adjusted quota of 3,352 Chinook salmon; actual landings in June were 2,965 Chinook salmon; therefore, 387 Chinook quota from June remained. The STT calculated that transferring 387 Chinook from the June fishery to the July fishery in the CA–KMZ on an impact neutral basis for KRFC would result in an addition of 547 VerDate Mar<15>2010 15:00 Aug 16, 2013 Jkt 229001 Chinook salmon to the July quota, which was set preseason at 2,000 Chinook salmon. KRFC is the constraining stock for CA–KMZ fisheries to meet ACLs and as a surrogate for impacts to ESA-listed California coastal Chinook. On July 3, 2013, the states recommended adopting an adjusted quota of 2,547 Chinook salmon for the July commercial fishery in the CA–KMZ and the RA concurred. Inseason action #9 took effect on July 3, 2013 and remains in effect to the end of the season or until modified by inseason action. Inseason action to modify quotas and/or fishing seasons is authorized by § 660.409(b)(1)(i). Inseason Action #10 The RA consulted with representatives of the Council, CDFW, ODFW, and WDFW on July 3, 2013. The information considered during this consultation related to catch and effort to date in the commercial salmon fishery in the OR–KMZ. Inseason action #10 adjusted the commercial salmon quota for July in the OR–KMZ. This action was taken to allow access to available quota within allowable impacts to constraining stocks. The June fishery had a quota of 4,000 Chinook salmon. June landings were estimated at 1,525; therefore, 2,475 Chinook quota from June remained. The STT calculated that transferring 2,475 from the June fishery to the July fishery in the OR– KMZ on an impact neutral basis for KRFC would result in an addition of 1,782 Chinook salmon to the July quota, which was set preseason at 3,000 Chinook salmon. KRFC is the constraining stock for OR–KMZ fisheries to meet annual catch limits (ACLs) and as a surrogate for impacts to ESA-listed California coastal Chinook. On July 3, 2013, the state of Oregon recommended adopting an adjusted quota of 4,782 Chinook salmon for the July commercial fishery in the OR–KMZ and the RA concurred. Inseason action #10 took effect on July 3, 2013 and remains in effect to the end of the season or until modified by inseason action. Inseason action to modify quotas and/or fishing seasons is authorized by § 660.409(b)(1)(i). Inseason Action #11 The RA consulted with representatives of the Council, CDFW, ODFW, and WDFW on July 3, 2013. The information considered during this consultation related to catch and effort to date in the commercial salmon fishery north of Cape Falcon, Oregon. Inseason action #11 adjusted the commercial salmon quota for the July– September season. This action was PO 00000 Frm 00037 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 50349 taken to allow access to available quota within allowable impacts to constraining stocks. The May–June fishery had a quota of 29,300 Chinook salmon, with a subarea quota of 8,700 Chinook salmon in the area north of the Queets River. May–June landings were estimated at 24,037 Chinook north of Cape Falcon, with 8,167 Chinook salmon landed north of the Queets River. The STT calculated that transferring the remaining quota to the July–September season on an impact neutral basis for Lower Columbia River Chinook salmon (natural tule), an ESAlisted stock, would result in adding 4,600 Chinook salmon to the 14,700 Chinook quota established preseason for the area north of Cape Falcon. On July 3, 2013, the state of Washington recommended adopting an adjusted quota of 19,300 Chinook salmon in the July–September commercial fishery north of Cape Falcon, of which no more than 6,600 Chinook salmon may be landed north of the Queets River, and the RA concurred. Inseason action #11 took effect on July 3, 2013 and remains in effect to the end of the season or until modified by inseason action. Inseason action to modify quotas and/or fishing seasons is authorized by § 660.409(b)(1)(i). All other restrictions and regulations remain in effect as announced for the 2013 ocean salmon fisheries and 2014 fisheries opening prior to May 1, 2014 (78 FR 25865, May 3, 2013) and subsequent inseason actions (78 FR 30780, May 23, 2013; and 78 FR 35153, June 12, 2013). The RA determined that the best available information indicated that catch and effort projections supported the above inseason actions recommended by the states of California, Oregon, and Washington. The states manage the fisheries in state waters adjacent to the areas of the U.S. exclusive economic zone in accordance with these Federal actions. As provided by the inseason notice procedures of 50 CFR 660.411, actual notice of the described regulatory actions was given, prior to the time the action was effective, by telephone hotline number 206–526–6667 and 800–662–9825, and by U.S. Coast Guard Notice to Mariners broadcasts on Channel 16 VHF–FM and 2182 kHz. Classification The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA (AA), finds that good cause exists for this notification to be issued without affording prior notice and opportunity for public comment under 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B) because such notification would be impracticable. As E:\FR\FM\19AUR1.SGM 19AUR1 50350 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 160 / Monday, August 19, 2013 / Rules and Regulations pmangrum on DSK3VPTVN1PROD with RULES previously noted, actual notice of the regulatory actions was provided to fishers through telephone hotline and radio notification. These actions comply with the requirements of the annual management measures for ocean salmon fisheries (78 FR 25865, May 3, 2013), the West Coast Salmon Fishery Management Plan (Salmon FMP), and regulations implementing the Salmon FMP, 50 CFR 660.409 and 660.411. Prior notice and opportunity for public comment was impracticable because NMFS and the state agencies had insufficient time to provide for prior notice and the opportunity for public VerDate Mar<15>2010 15:00 Aug 16, 2013 Jkt 229001 comment between the time the catch and effort projections were developed and fisheries impacts calculated, and the time the fishery modifications had to be implemented in order to ensure that fisheries are managed based on the best available scientific information, thus allowing fishers access to the available fish at the time the fish were available while ensuring that quotas are not exceeded. The AA also finds good cause to waive the 30-day delay in effectiveness required under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3), as a delay in effectiveness of these actions would allow fishing at levels inconsistent with the goals of the PO 00000 Frm 00038 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 9990 Salmon FMP and the current management measures. These actions are authorized by 50 CFR 660.409 and 660.411 and are exempt from review under Executive Order 12866. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: August 14, 2013. James P. Burgess, Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2013–20181 Filed 8–16–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P E:\FR\FM\19AUR1.SGM 19AUR1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 160 (Monday, August 19, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 50347-50350]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-20181]


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

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 660

[Docket No. 130108020-3409-01]
RIN 0648-XC738


Fisheries Off West Coast States; Modifications of the West Coast 
Commercial Salmon Fisheries; Inseason Actions 6 Through 
11

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

[[Page 50348]]


ACTION: Modification of fishing seasons; request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: NOAA Fisheries announces six inseason actions in the ocean 
salmon fisheries. These inseason actions modified the commercial 
fisheries in the area from the U.S./Canada Border to Humboldt South 
Jetty.

DATES: The effective dates for the inseason actions are set out in this 
document under the heading Inseason Actions. Comments will be accepted 
through September 3, 2013.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by NOAA-NMFS-2012-0248, 
by any one of the following methods:
     Electronic Submissions: Submit all electronic public 
comments via the Federal eRulemaking Portal. Go to www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2012-0248, click the ``Comment Now!'' icon, 
complete the required fields, and enter or attach your comments.
     Mail: William W. Stelle, Jr., Regional Administrator, 
Northwest Region, NMFS, 7600 Sand Point Way NE., Seattle, WA, 98115-
6349.
     Fax: 206-526-6736, Attn: Peggy Mundy.
    Instructions: Comments sent by any other method, to any other 
address or individual, or received after the end of the comment period, 
may not be considered by NMFS. All comments received are a part of the 
public record and will generally be posted for public viewing on 
www.regulations.gov without change. All personal identifying 
information (e.g., name, address, etc.), confidential business 
information, or otherwise sensitive information submitted voluntarily 
by the sender will be publicly accessible. NMFS will accept anonymous 
comments (enter ``N/A'' in the required fields if you wish to remain 
anonymous). Attachments to electronic comments will be accepted in 
Microsoft Word, Excel, or Adobe PDF file formats only.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    In the 2013 annual management measures for ocean salmon fisheries 
(78 FR 25865, May 3, 2013), NMFS announced the commercial and 
recreational fisheries in the area from the U.S./Canada Border to the 
U.S./Mexico Border, beginning May 1, 2013, and 2014 salmon seasons 
opening earlier than May 1, 2014. NMFS is authorized to implement 
inseason management actions to modify fishing seasons and quotas as 
necessary to provide fishing opportunity while meeting management 
objectives for the affected species (50 CFR 660.409). Inseason actions 
in the salmon fishery may be taken directly by NMFS (50 CFR 
660.409(a)--Fixed inseason management provisions) or upon consultation 
with the Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) and the 
appropriate State Directors (50 CFR 660.409(b)--Flexible inseason 
management provisions).
    Management of the salmon fisheries is generally divided into two 
geographic areas: North of Cape Falcon (U.S./Canada Border to Cape 
Falcon, Oregon) and south of Cape Falcon (Cape Falcon, Oregon to the 
U.S./Mexico Border). Inseason actions 6 through 10 in 
this document apply south of Cape Falcon; inseason action 11 
in this document applies north of Cape Falcon.
    The fisheries affected by the inseason actions in this document are 
all based on quotas to manage impacts on specific salmon stocks that 
constrain fisheries to meet conservation objectives, annual catch 
limits (ACLs), and consultation standards for stocks listed under the 
Endangered Species Act (ESA-listed). Annual management measures allow 
for adjusting quotas among fishing periods on an impact neutral basis, 
as calculated by the Salmon Technical Team (STT).

Inseason Action

    The table below lists the inseason actions announced in this 
document.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    Salmon fishery
 Inseason action number       Effective date           affected
---------------------------------------------------------------------
6......................  June 4, 2013...........  Commercial fishery
                                                   from the Oregon/
                                                   California Border
                                                   to Humboldt South
                                                   Jetty (California
                                                   Klamath
                                                   Management Zone
                                                   or CA-KMZ)..
7......................  June 9, 2013...........  Commercial fishery
                                                   from the Oregon/
                                                   California Border
                                                   to Humboldt South
                                                   Jetty (California
                                                   Klamath
                                                   Management Zone
                                                   or CA-KMZ)..
8......................  June 11, 2013..........  Commercial fishery
                                                   from the Oregon/
                                                   California Border
                                                   to Humboldt South
                                                   Jetty (California
                                                   Klamath
                                                   Management Zone
                                                   or CA-KMZ)..
9......................  July 3, 2013...........  Commercial fishery
                                                   from the Oregon/
                                                   California Border
                                                   to Humboldt South
                                                   Jetty (California
                                                   Klamath
                                                   Management Zone
                                                   or CA-KMZ)..
10.....................  July 3, 2013...........  Commercial fishery
                                                   from Humbug
                                                   Mountain to the
                                                   Oregon/California
                                                   Border (Oregon
                                                   Klamath
                                                   Management Zone
                                                   or OR-KMZ)..
11.....................  July 3, 2013...........  Commercial
                                                   fisheries from
                                                   the US/Canada
                                                   Border to Cape
                                                   Falcon..
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Inseason Action 6

    The RA consulted with representatives of the Council, California 
Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), and Oregon Department of Fish 
and Wildlife (ODFW) on June 4, 2013.
    The information considered during this consultation related to 
updated catch information from the May commercial salmon fishery in the 
CA-KMZ. Inseason action 6 adjusted the commercial salmon quota 
for June in the CA-KMZ. This action was taken to allow access to 
available quota within allowable impacts to constraining stocks. The 
May fishery had a quota of 3,000 Chinook salmon; actual landings were 
2,700 Chinook salmon; therefore, 300 Chinook quota from May remained. 
The Salmon Technical Team (STT) calculated that transferring 300 
Chinook from the May fishery to the June fishery in the CA-KMZ on an 
impact neutral basis for Klamath River fall Chinook (KRFC) would result 
in an addition of 352 Chinook salmon to the June quota, which was set 
preseason at 3,000 Chinook salmon. KRFC is the constraining stock for 
CA-KMZ fisheries to meet ACLs and as a surrogate for impacts to ESA-
listed California coastal Chinook salmon. On June 4, 2013, the states 
recommended adopting an adjusted quota of 3,352 Chinook salmon for the 
June commercial fishery in the CA-KMZ and the RA concurred. Inseason 
action 6 took effect on June 4, 2013 and remains in effect to 
the end of the season. Inseason action to modify quotas and/or fishing 
seasons is authorized by Sec.  660.409(b)(1)(i).

Inseason Action 7

    The RA consulted with representatives of the Council, CDFW, and 
ODFW on June 7, 2013.
    The information considered during this consultation related to 
catch and

[[Page 50349]]

effort to date in the commercial salmon fishery in the CA-KMZ. Inseason 
action 7 closed the commercial salmon fishery in this area at 
11:59 p.m., June 9, 2013 to allow managers the opportunity to evaluate 
catch to date, which was projected to be approaching the June quota. 
This action was taken to prevent exceeding the June quota. On June 7, 
2013, the state of California recommended this action and the RA 
concurred. Inseason action 7 took effect on June 9, 2013 and 
remained in effect until superseded by inseason action 8 on 
June 11, 2013. Inseason action to modify quotas and/or fishing seasons 
is authorized by Sec.  660.409(b)(1)(i).

Inseason Action 8

    The RA consulted with representatives of the Council, CDFW, and 
ODFW on June 10, 2013.
    The information considered during this consultation related to 
catch and effort to date in the commercial salmon fishery in the CA-
KMZ, including landings reported subsequent to the closure implemented 
under inseason action 7. The state of California recommended 
that sufficient quota remained to support an additional 24-hour opening 
of this fishery and the RA concurred. Inseason action 8 
reopened this fishery from 12:01 a.m., Tuesday, June 11, 2013 to 11:59 
p.m., Tuesday, June 11, 2013, after which the fishery remained closed 
for the remainder of June. This action was taken to provide access to, 
without exceeding, remaining quota for the June fishery. Inseason 
action to modify quotas and/or fishing seasons is authorized by Sec.  
660.409(b)(1)(i).

Inseason Action 9

    The RA consulted with representatives of the Council, CDFW, ODFW, 
and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) on July 3, 2013.
    The information considered during this consultation related to 
catch information from the June commercial salmon fishery in the CA-
KMZ. Inseason action 9 adjusted the commercial salmon quota 
for July in the CA-KMZ. This action was taken to allow access to 
available quota within allowable impacts to constraining stocks. The 
June fishery had an adjusted quota of 3,352 Chinook salmon; actual 
landings in June were 2,965 Chinook salmon; therefore, 387 Chinook 
quota from June remained. The STT calculated that transferring 387 
Chinook from the June fishery to the July fishery in the CA-KMZ on an 
impact neutral basis for KRFC would result in an addition of 547 
Chinook salmon to the July quota, which was set preseason at 2,000 
Chinook salmon. KRFC is the constraining stock for CA-KMZ fisheries to 
meet ACLs and as a surrogate for impacts to ESA-listed California 
coastal Chinook. On July 3, 2013, the states recommended adopting an 
adjusted quota of 2,547 Chinook salmon for the July commercial fishery 
in the CA-KMZ and the RA concurred. Inseason action 9 took 
effect on July 3, 2013 and remains in effect to the end of the season 
or until modified by inseason action. Inseason action to modify quotas 
and/or fishing seasons is authorized by Sec.  660.409(b)(1)(i).

Inseason Action 10

    The RA consulted with representatives of the Council, CDFW, ODFW, 
and WDFW on July 3, 2013.
    The information considered during this consultation related to 
catch and effort to date in the commercial salmon fishery in the OR-
KMZ. Inseason action 10 adjusted the commercial salmon quota 
for July in the OR-KMZ. This action was taken to allow access to 
available quota within allowable impacts to constraining stocks. The 
June fishery had a quota of 4,000 Chinook salmon. June landings were 
estimated at 1,525; therefore, 2,475 Chinook quota from June remained. 
The STT calculated that transferring 2,475 from the June fishery to the 
July fishery in the OR-KMZ on an impact neutral basis for KRFC would 
result in an addition of 1,782 Chinook salmon to the July quota, which 
was set preseason at 3,000 Chinook salmon. KRFC is the constraining 
stock for OR-KMZ fisheries to meet annual catch limits (ACLs) and as a 
surrogate for impacts to ESA-listed California coastal Chinook. On July 
3, 2013, the state of Oregon recommended adopting an adjusted quota of 
4,782 Chinook salmon for the July commercial fishery in the OR-KMZ and 
the RA concurred. Inseason action 10 took effect on July 3, 
2013 and remains in effect to the end of the season or until modified 
by inseason action. Inseason action to modify quotas and/or fishing 
seasons is authorized by Sec.  660.409(b)(1)(i).

Inseason Action 11

    The RA consulted with representatives of the Council, CDFW, ODFW, 
and WDFW on July 3, 2013.
    The information considered during this consultation related to 
catch and effort to date in the commercial salmon fishery north of Cape 
Falcon, Oregon. Inseason action 11 adjusted the commercial 
salmon quota for the July-September season. This action was taken to 
allow access to available quota within allowable impacts to 
constraining stocks. The May-June fishery had a quota of 29,300 Chinook 
salmon, with a subarea quota of 8,700 Chinook salmon in the area north 
of the Queets River. May-June landings were estimated at 24,037 Chinook 
north of Cape Falcon, with 8,167 Chinook salmon landed north of the 
Queets River. The STT calculated that transferring the remaining quota 
to the July-September season on an impact neutral basis for Lower 
Columbia River Chinook salmon (natural tule), an ESA-listed stock, 
would result in adding 4,600 Chinook salmon to the 14,700 Chinook quota 
established preseason for the area north of Cape Falcon. On July 3, 
2013, the state of Washington recommended adopting an adjusted quota of 
19,300 Chinook salmon in the July-September commercial fishery north of 
Cape Falcon, of which no more than 6,600 Chinook salmon may be landed 
north of the Queets River, and the RA concurred. Inseason action 
11 took effect on July 3, 2013 and remains in effect to the 
end of the season or until modified by inseason action. Inseason action 
to modify quotas and/or fishing seasons is authorized by Sec.  
660.409(b)(1)(i).
    All other restrictions and regulations remain in effect as 
announced for the 2013 ocean salmon fisheries and 2014 fisheries 
opening prior to May 1, 2014 (78 FR 25865, May 3, 2013) and subsequent 
inseason actions (78 FR 30780, May 23, 2013; and 78 FR 35153, June 12, 
2013).
    The RA determined that the best available information indicated 
that catch and effort projections supported the above inseason actions 
recommended by the states of California, Oregon, and Washington. The 
states manage the fisheries in state waters adjacent to the areas of 
the U.S. exclusive economic zone in accordance with these Federal 
actions. As provided by the inseason notice procedures of 50 CFR 
660.411, actual notice of the described regulatory actions was given, 
prior to the time the action was effective, by telephone hotline number 
206-526-6667 and 800-662-9825, and by U.S. Coast Guard Notice to 
Mariners broadcasts on Channel 16 VHF-FM and 2182 kHz.

Classification

    The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA (AA), finds that 
good cause exists for this notification to be issued without affording 
prior notice and opportunity for public comment under 5 U.S.C. 
553(b)(B) because such notification would be impracticable. As

[[Page 50350]]

previously noted, actual notice of the regulatory actions was provided 
to fishers through telephone hotline and radio notification. These 
actions comply with the requirements of the annual management measures 
for ocean salmon fisheries (78 FR 25865, May 3, 2013), the West Coast 
Salmon Fishery Management Plan (Salmon FMP), and regulations 
implementing the Salmon FMP, 50 CFR 660.409 and 660.411. Prior notice 
and opportunity for public comment was impracticable because NMFS and 
the state agencies had insufficient time to provide for prior notice 
and the opportunity for public comment between the time the catch and 
effort projections were developed and fisheries impacts calculated, and 
the time the fishery modifications had to be implemented in order to 
ensure that fisheries are managed based on the best available 
scientific information, thus allowing fishers access to the available 
fish at the time the fish were available while ensuring that quotas are 
not exceeded. The AA also finds good cause to waive the 30-day delay in 
effectiveness required under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3), as a delay in 
effectiveness of these actions would allow fishing at levels 
inconsistent with the goals of the Salmon FMP and the current 
management measures.
    These actions are authorized by 50 CFR 660.409 and 660.411 and are 
exempt from review under Executive Order 12866.

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

    Dated: August 14, 2013.
James P. Burgess,
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National 
Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-20181 Filed 8-16-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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