Fisheries Off West Coast States; Modifications of the West Coast Commercial Salmon Fisheries; Inseason Actions #7 Through #13, 39716-39718 [2015-16829]
Download as PDF
39716
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 132 / Friday, July 10, 2015 / Rules and Regulations
30-day delay in the effectiveness of this
action under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3).
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: July 6, 2015.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2015–16863 Filed 7–7–15; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
50 CFR Part 660
[Docket No. 150316270–5270–01]
RIN 0648–XE020
Fisheries Off West Coast States;
Modifications of the West Coast
Commercial Salmon Fisheries;
Inseason Actions #7 Through #13
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Modification of fishing seasons;
request for comments.
AGENCY:
NMFS announces seven
inseason actions in the ocean salmon
fisheries. These inseason actions
modified the commercial salmon
fisheries in the area from the U.S./
Canada border to the U.S./Mexico
border.
SUMMARY:
The effective dates for the
inseason actions are set out in this
document under the heading Inseason
Actions. Comments will be accepted
through July 27, 2015.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments,
identified by NOAA–NMFS–2015–0001,
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-20150001, click the ‘‘Comment Now!’’ icon,
complete the required fields, and enter
or attach your comments.
• Mail: William W. Stelle, Jr.,
Regional Administrator, West Coast
Region, NMFS, 7600 Sand Point Way
NE., Seattle, WA 98115–6349.
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
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with RULES
DATES:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:28 Jul 09, 2015
Jkt 235001
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).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Peggy Mundy at 206–526–4323.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
In the 2015 annual management
measures for ocean salmon fisheries (80
FR 25611, May 5, 2015), 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, 2015,
and 2016 salmon seasons opening
earlier than May 1, 2016. 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). The state
management agencies that participated
in the consultations described in this
document were: Oregon Department of
Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) and
Washington Department of Fish and
Wildlife (WDFW).
Management of the salmon fisheries is
generally divided into two geographic
areas: North of Cape Falcon (U.S./
Canada border to Cape Falcon, OR) and
south of Cape Falcon (Cape Falcon, OR,
to the U.S./Mexico border). The
inseason actions reported in this
document affect fisheries north and
south of Cape Falcon. Within the south
of Cape Falcon area, the Klamath
Management Zone (KMZ) extends from
Humbug Mountain, OR, to Humboldt
South Jetty, CA, and is divided at the
Oregon/California border into the
Oregon KMZ to the north and California
KMZ to the south. All times mentioned
refer to Pacific daylight time.
Inseason Actions
Inseason Action #7
Description of action: Inseason action
#7 reopened the commercial salmon
fishery from Leadbetter Point, WA, to
Cape Falcon, OR, on June 5, 2015;
PO 00000
Frm 00048
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
Friday through Tuesday, with a landing
and possession limit of 40 Chinook
salmon per vessel per open period.
Inseason action #7 superseded inseason
action #6 (80 FR 36725, June 26, 2015),
which temporarily closed this fishery on
May 29, 2015.
Effective dates: Inseason action #7
took effect on June 5, 2015, and
remained in effect until superseded by
inseason action #8 on June 19, 2015.
Reason and authorization for the
action: After consideration of Chinook
salmon landings to date and fishery
effort, the Regional Administrator (RA)
determined that sufficient quota
remained to reopen this fishery with a
5-day open period and a landing and
possession limit of 40 Chinook salmon
per vessel per opening, to avoid
exceeding the quota. This action was
taken to allow access to available
Chinook salmon quota, without
exceeding the quota that was set
preseason. Inseason action to modify
quotas and/or fishing seasons is
authorized by 50 CFR 660.409(b)(1)(i).
Consultation date and participants:
Consultation on inseason action #7
occurred on June 4, 2015. Participants
in this consultation were staff from
NMFS, Council, WDFW, and ODFW.
Inseason Action #8
Description of action: Inseason action
#8 adjusted the landing and possession
limit in the commercial salmon fishery
from Leadbetter Point, WA, to Cape
Falcon, OR, from 40 Chinook salmon
per vessel per open period (see inseason
action #7) to 80 Chinook salmon per
vessel per open period. Inseason action
#8 superseded inseason action #7.
Effective dates: Inseason action #8
took effect on June 19, 2015, and
remained in effect until superseded by
inseason action #12 on June 26, 2015.
Reason and authorization for the
action: The states provided information
that poor weather conditions had
restricted fishing opportunities in the
affected area. After consideration of
Chinook salmon landings to date and
fishery effort, the RA determined that
sufficient quota remained to increase
the landing and possession limit to
allow access to the remaining quota
without exceeding the quota that was
set preseason. Inseason action to modify
quotas and/or fishing seasons is
authorized by 50 CFR 660.409(b)(1)(i).
Consultation date and participants:
Consultation on inseason action #8
occurred on June 18, 2015. Participants
in this consultation were staff from
NMFS, Council, WDFW, and ODFW.
E:\FR\FM\10JYR1.SGM
10JYR1
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 132 / Friday, July 10, 2015 / Rules and Regulations
Inseason Action #9
Description of action: Inseason action
#9 extended retention of Pacific halibut
caught incidental to commercial salmon
fishing (U.S./Canada border to U.S./
Mexico border) beyond the June 30,
2015 deadline announced preseason.
Pacific halibut retention will continue
without any changes to landing and
possession requirements until further
notice.
Effective dates: Inseason action #9
took effect on July 1, 2015, and remains
in effect until superseded by inseason
action.
Reason and authorization for the
action: The International Pacific Halibut
Commission (IPHC) establishes an
annual allocation of Pacific halibut that
can be retained when caught incidental
to commercial salmon fishing by fishers
who possess the necessary IPHC license.
The annual ocean salmon management
measures (80 FR 25611, May 5, 2015)
authorized halibut retention only during
April, May, and June of the 2015 troll
seasons and after June 30 in 2015 if
quota remains. The RA considered
Pacific halibut and Chinook salmon
landings to date, and fishery effort, and
determined that sufficient halibut
allocation remained to allow retention
to continue for the foreseeable future.
Consultation date and participants:
Consultation on inseason action #9
occurred on June 25, 2015. Participants
in this consultation were staff from
NMFS, Council, WDFW, and ODFW.
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with RULES
Inseason Action #10
Description of action: Inseason action
#10 modified the commercial salmon
fishery from the U.S./Canada border to
Cape Alava, WA. Inseason action #10
set a 2-day opening for this fishery, June
26–27, 2015, with a landing and
possession limit of 12 Chinook salmon
per vessel for the opening. This
superseded the 5-day opening and 20
Chinook landing and possession limit
established by inseason action #4 (80 FR
36725, June 26, 2015).
Effective dates: Inseason action #10
took effect on June 26, 2015, and
remained in effect through the end of
the spring salmon season, June 30, 2015.
Reason and authorization for the
action: After consideration of Chinook
salmon landings to date and fishery
effort, the RA determined that
insufficient quota remained to continue
this fishery under the schedule and
landing limits set by inseason action #4.
Therefore, the fishery was restricted to
a 2-day opening with a reduced landing
and possession limit. This action was
taken to allow access to available
Chinook salmon quota, without
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:28 Jul 09, 2015
Jkt 235001
exceeding the quota that was set
preseason. Inseason action to modify
quotas and/or fishing seasons is
authorized by 50 CFR 660.409(b)(1)(i).
Consultation date and participants:
Consultation on inseason action #10
occurred on June 25, 2015. Participants
in this consultation were staff from
NMFS, Council, WDFW, and ODFW.
Inseason Action #11
Description of action: Inseason action
#11 closed the commercial salmon
fishery from Queets River to Leadbetter
point at 11:59 p.m., June 25, 2015.
Effective dates: Inseason action #11
took effect on June 25, 2015, and
remained in effect through the end of
the spring salmon season, June 30, 2015.
Reason and authorization for the
action: After consideration of Chinook
salmon landings to date and fishery
effort, the RA determined that
insufficient quota remained to continue
this fishery under the schedule set
preseason and that the fishery was
likely to exceed the quota if allowed to
remain open. This action was taken to
avoid exceeding the quota that was set
preseason. Inseason action to modify
quotas and/or fishing seasons is
authorized by 50 CFR 660.409(b)(1)(i).
Consultation date and participants:
Consultation on inseason action #11
occurred on June 25, 2015. Participants
in this consultation were staff from
NMFS, Council, WDFW, and ODFW.
Inseason Action #12
Description of action: Inseason action
#12 closed the commercial salmon
fishery from Leadbetter Point, WA, to
Cape Falcon, OR, by cancelling the 5day opening scheduled to begin Friday,
June 26, 2015, superseding inseason
action #8.
Effective dates: Inseason action #12
took effect on June 26, 2015, and
remained in effect through the end of
the spring salmon season, June 30, 2015.
Reason and authorization for the
action: After consideration of Chinook
salmon landings to date and fishery
effort, the RA determined that
insufficient quota remained to continue
this fishery under the schedule and
landing limits set by inseason action #8
and cancelled the opening that was
scheduled to begin June 26, 2015. This
action was taken to avoid exceeding the
quota that was set preseason. Inseason
action to modify quotas and/or fishing
seasons is authorized by 50 CFR
660.409(b)(1)(i).
Consultation date and participants:
Consultation on inseason action #12
occurred on June 25, 2015. Participants
in this consultation were staff from
NMFS, Council, WDFW, and ODFW.
PO 00000
Frm 00049
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
39717
Inseason Action #13
Description of action: Inseason action
#13 modified the commercial salmon
fishery from Humbug Mountain, OR, to
the OR/CA border (Oregon KMZ) in
June and July. Inseason action #13
closed the fishery at 11:59 p.m., June 26,
2015; reopened the fishery July 1–2,
2015 with a landing and possession
limit of 15 Chinook salmon per vessel
per day; closed the fishery July 3–4,
2015; and reopened the fishery daily,
beginning July 5, 2015 with a landing
and possession limit of 25 Chinook
salmon per vessel per day.
Effective dates: Inseason action #13
took effect on June 26, 2015, and
remains in effect until superseded by
inseason action or the end of the July
fishery, on July 31, 2015.
Reason and authorization for the
action: The commercial salmon fishery
in the Oregon KMZ operates under
monthly quotas for Chinook salmon in
June, July, and August. After
consideration of Chinook salmon
landings to date and fishery effort, the
RA determined that insufficient quota
remained to continue fishing in June
and that modifying the July opening
would allow access to available Chinook
salmon quota, without exceeding the
quota that was set preseason. Inseason
action to modify quotas and/or fishing
seasons is authorized by 50 CFR
660.409(b)(1)(i).
Consultation date and participants:
Consultation on inseason action #13
occurred on June 25, 2015. Participants
in this consultation were staff from
NMFS, Council, WDFW, and ODFW.
All other restrictions and regulations
remain in effect as announced for the
2015 ocean salmon fisheries and 2016
fisheries opening prior to May 1, 2016
(80 FR 25611, May 5, 2015).
The RA determined that the best
available information indicated that
Chinook salmon and Pacific halibut
catch to date and fishery effort
supported the above inseason actions
recommended by the states of
Washington and Oregon. 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 numbers
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.
E:\FR\FM\10JYR1.SGM
10JYR1
39718
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 132 / Friday, July 10, 2015 / Rules and Regulations
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with RULES
Classification
The Assistant Administrator for
Fisheries, NOAA (AA), finds that good
cause exists for this notification to be
issued without affording prior notice
and opportunity for public comment
under 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B) because such
notification would be impracticable. As
previously noted, actual notice of the
regulatory actions was provided to
fishers through telephone hotline and
radio notification. These actions comply
with the requirements of the annual
management measures for ocean salmon
fisheries (80 FR 25611, May 5, 2015),
the West Coast Salmon Fishery
Management Plan (Salmon FMP), and
regulations implementing the Salmon
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:28 Jul 09, 2015
Jkt 235001
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 Chinook
salmon catch and effort assessments and
projections were developed and
fisheries impacts were 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,
ensuring that conservation objectives
and ESA consultation standards are not
exceeded. The AA also finds good cause
to waive the 30-day delay in
PO 00000
Frm 00050
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 9990
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: July 6, 2015.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2015–16829 Filed 7–9–15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
E:\FR\FM\10JYR1.SGM
10JYR1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 132 (Friday, July 10, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 39716-39718]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-16829]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 660
[Docket No. 150316270-5270-01]
RIN 0648-XE020
Fisheries Off West Coast States; Modifications of the West Coast
Commercial Salmon Fisheries; Inseason Actions #7 Through #13
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Modification of fishing seasons; request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NMFS announces seven inseason actions in the ocean salmon
fisheries. These inseason actions modified the commercial salmon
fisheries in the area from the U.S./Canada border to the U.S./Mexico
border.
DATES: The effective dates for the inseason actions are set out in this
document under the heading Inseason Actions. Comments will be accepted
through July 27, 2015.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by NOAA-NMFS-2015-0001,
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-2015-0001, click the ``Comment Now!'' icon,
complete the required fields, and enter or attach your comments.
Mail: William W. Stelle, Jr., Regional Administrator, West
Coast Region, NMFS, 7600 Sand Point Way NE., Seattle, WA 98115-6349.
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).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Peggy Mundy at 206-526-4323.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
In the 2015 annual management measures for ocean salmon fisheries
(80 FR 25611, May 5, 2015), 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, 2015, and 2016 salmon seasons
opening earlier than May 1, 2016. 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). The state management agencies that participated
in the consultations described in this document were: Oregon Department
of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) and Washington Department of Fish and
Wildlife (WDFW).
Management of the salmon fisheries is generally divided into two
geographic areas: North of Cape Falcon (U.S./Canada border to Cape
Falcon, OR) and south of Cape Falcon (Cape Falcon, OR, to the U.S./
Mexico border). The inseason actions reported in this document affect
fisheries north and south of Cape Falcon. Within the south of Cape
Falcon area, the Klamath Management Zone (KMZ) extends from Humbug
Mountain, OR, to Humboldt South Jetty, CA, and is divided at the
Oregon/California border into the Oregon KMZ to the north and
California KMZ to the south. All times mentioned refer to Pacific
daylight time.
Inseason Actions
Inseason Action #7
Description of action: Inseason action #7 reopened the commercial
salmon fishery from Leadbetter Point, WA, to Cape Falcon, OR, on June
5, 2015; Friday through Tuesday, with a landing and possession limit of
40 Chinook salmon per vessel per open period. Inseason action #7
superseded inseason action #6 (80 FR 36725, June 26, 2015), which
temporarily closed this fishery on May 29, 2015.
Effective dates: Inseason action #7 took effect on June 5, 2015,
and remained in effect until superseded by inseason action #8 on June
19, 2015.
Reason and authorization for the action: After consideration of
Chinook salmon landings to date and fishery effort, the Regional
Administrator (RA) determined that sufficient quota remained to reopen
this fishery with a 5-day open period and a landing and possession
limit of 40 Chinook salmon per vessel per opening, to avoid exceeding
the quota. This action was taken to allow access to available Chinook
salmon quota, without exceeding the quota that was set preseason.
Inseason action to modify quotas and/or fishing seasons is authorized
by 50 CFR 660.409(b)(1)(i).
Consultation date and participants: Consultation on inseason action
#7 occurred on June 4, 2015. Participants in this consultation were
staff from NMFS, Council, WDFW, and ODFW.
Inseason Action #8
Description of action: Inseason action #8 adjusted the landing and
possession limit in the commercial salmon fishery from Leadbetter
Point, WA, to Cape Falcon, OR, from 40 Chinook salmon per vessel per
open period (see inseason action #7) to 80 Chinook salmon per vessel
per open period. Inseason action #8 superseded inseason action #7.
Effective dates: Inseason action #8 took effect on June 19, 2015,
and remained in effect until superseded by inseason action #12 on June
26, 2015.
Reason and authorization for the action: The states provided
information that poor weather conditions had restricted fishing
opportunities in the affected area. After consideration of Chinook
salmon landings to date and fishery effort, the RA determined that
sufficient quota remained to increase the landing and possession limit
to allow access to the remaining quota without exceeding the quota that
was set preseason. Inseason action to modify quotas and/or fishing
seasons is authorized by 50 CFR 660.409(b)(1)(i).
Consultation date and participants: Consultation on inseason action
#8 occurred on June 18, 2015. Participants in this consultation were
staff from NMFS, Council, WDFW, and ODFW.
[[Page 39717]]
Inseason Action #9
Description of action: Inseason action #9 extended retention of
Pacific halibut caught incidental to commercial salmon fishing (U.S./
Canada border to U.S./Mexico border) beyond the June 30, 2015 deadline
announced preseason. Pacific halibut retention will continue without
any changes to landing and possession requirements until further
notice.
Effective dates: Inseason action #9 took effect on July 1, 2015,
and remains in effect until superseded by inseason action.
Reason and authorization for the action: The International Pacific
Halibut Commission (IPHC) establishes an annual allocation of Pacific
halibut that can be retained when caught incidental to commercial
salmon fishing by fishers who possess the necessary IPHC license. The
annual ocean salmon management measures (80 FR 25611, May 5, 2015)
authorized halibut retention only during April, May, and June of the
2015 troll seasons and after June 30 in 2015 if quota remains. The RA
considered Pacific halibut and Chinook salmon landings to date, and
fishery effort, and determined that sufficient halibut allocation
remained to allow retention to continue for the foreseeable future.
Consultation date and participants: Consultation on inseason action
#9 occurred on June 25, 2015. Participants in this consultation were
staff from NMFS, Council, WDFW, and ODFW.
Inseason Action #10
Description of action: Inseason action #10 modified the commercial
salmon fishery from the U.S./Canada border to Cape Alava, WA. Inseason
action #10 set a 2-day opening for this fishery, June 26-27, 2015, with
a landing and possession limit of 12 Chinook salmon per vessel for the
opening. This superseded the 5-day opening and 20 Chinook landing and
possession limit established by inseason action #4 (80 FR 36725, June
26, 2015).
Effective dates: Inseason action #10 took effect on June 26, 2015,
and remained in effect through the end of the spring salmon season,
June 30, 2015.
Reason and authorization for the action: After consideration of
Chinook salmon landings to date and fishery effort, the RA determined
that insufficient quota remained to continue this fishery under the
schedule and landing limits set by inseason action #4. Therefore, the
fishery was restricted to a 2-day opening with a reduced landing and
possession limit. This action was taken to allow access to available
Chinook salmon quota, without exceeding the quota that was set
preseason. Inseason action to modify quotas and/or fishing seasons is
authorized by 50 CFR 660.409(b)(1)(i).
Consultation date and participants: Consultation on inseason action
#10 occurred on June 25, 2015. Participants in this consultation were
staff from NMFS, Council, WDFW, and ODFW.
Inseason Action #11
Description of action: Inseason action #11 closed the commercial
salmon fishery from Queets River to Leadbetter point at 11:59 p.m.,
June 25, 2015.
Effective dates: Inseason action #11 took effect on June 25, 2015,
and remained in effect through the end of the spring salmon season,
June 30, 2015.
Reason and authorization for the action: After consideration of
Chinook salmon landings to date and fishery effort, the RA determined
that insufficient quota remained to continue this fishery under the
schedule set preseason and that the fishery was likely to exceed the
quota if allowed to remain open. This action was taken to avoid
exceeding the quota that was set preseason. Inseason action to modify
quotas and/or fishing seasons is authorized by 50 CFR 660.409(b)(1)(i).
Consultation date and participants: Consultation on inseason action
#11 occurred on June 25, 2015. Participants in this consultation were
staff from NMFS, Council, WDFW, and ODFW.
Inseason Action #12
Description of action: Inseason action #12 closed the commercial
salmon fishery from Leadbetter Point, WA, to Cape Falcon, OR, by
cancelling the 5-day opening scheduled to begin Friday, June 26, 2015,
superseding inseason action #8.
Effective dates: Inseason action #12 took effect on June 26, 2015,
and remained in effect through the end of the spring salmon season,
June 30, 2015.
Reason and authorization for the action: After consideration of
Chinook salmon landings to date and fishery effort, the RA determined
that insufficient quota remained to continue this fishery under the
schedule and landing limits set by inseason action #8 and cancelled the
opening that was scheduled to begin June 26, 2015. This action was
taken to avoid exceeding the quota that was set preseason. Inseason
action to modify quotas and/or fishing seasons is authorized by 50 CFR
660.409(b)(1)(i).
Consultation date and participants: Consultation on inseason action
#12 occurred on June 25, 2015. Participants in this consultation were
staff from NMFS, Council, WDFW, and ODFW.
Inseason Action #13
Description of action: Inseason action #13 modified the commercial
salmon fishery from Humbug Mountain, OR, to the OR/CA border (Oregon
KMZ) in June and July. Inseason action #13 closed the fishery at 11:59
p.m., June 26, 2015; reopened the fishery July 1-2, 2015 with a landing
and possession limit of 15 Chinook salmon per vessel per day; closed
the fishery July 3-4, 2015; and reopened the fishery daily, beginning
July 5, 2015 with a landing and possession limit of 25 Chinook salmon
per vessel per day.
Effective dates: Inseason action #13 took effect on June 26, 2015,
and remains in effect until superseded by inseason action or the end of
the July fishery, on July 31, 2015.
Reason and authorization for the action: The commercial salmon
fishery in the Oregon KMZ operates under monthly quotas for Chinook
salmon in June, July, and August. After consideration of Chinook salmon
landings to date and fishery effort, the RA determined that
insufficient quota remained to continue fishing in June and that
modifying the July opening would allow access to available Chinook
salmon quota, without exceeding the quota that was set preseason.
Inseason action to modify quotas and/or fishing seasons is authorized
by 50 CFR 660.409(b)(1)(i).
Consultation date and participants: Consultation on inseason action
#13 occurred on June 25, 2015. Participants in this consultation were
staff from NMFS, Council, WDFW, and ODFW.
All other restrictions and regulations remain in effect as
announced for the 2015 ocean salmon fisheries and 2016 fisheries
opening prior to May 1, 2016 (80 FR 25611, May 5, 2015).
The RA determined that the best available information indicated
that Chinook salmon and Pacific halibut catch to date and fishery
effort supported the above inseason actions recommended by the states
of Washington and Oregon. 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 numbers 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.
[[Page 39718]]
Classification
The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA (AA), finds that
good cause exists for this notification to be issued without affording
prior notice and opportunity for public comment under 5 U.S.C.
553(b)(B) because such notification would be impracticable. As
previously noted, actual notice of the regulatory actions was provided
to fishers through telephone hotline and radio notification. These
actions comply with the requirements of the annual management measures
for ocean salmon fisheries (80 FR 25611, May 5, 2015), 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 Chinook salmon
catch and effort assessments and projections were developed and
fisheries impacts were 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,
ensuring that conservation objectives and ESA consultation standards
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: July 6, 2015.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-16829 Filed 7-9-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P