Fisheries Off West Coast States; Modifications of the West Coast Commercial, Recreational, and Treaty Indian Salmon Fisheries; Inseason Actions #16 Through #21, 51525-51527 [2015-20996]
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Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 164 / Tuesday, August 25, 2015 / Proposed Rules
by this proposed rule. Accordingly, this
rule does not implicate the Paperwork
Reduction Act.
The information provided above
supports a determination that this rule,
if implemented, would not have a
significant economic impact on a
substantial number of small entities.
Because of this determination, an initial
regulatory flexibility analysis is not
required and none has been prepared.
MSY (or proxy), OY, management
parameters such as overfished and
overfishing definitions, gear restrictions
(ranging from regulation to complete
prohibition), gear markings and
identification, vessel markings and
identification, ABC and ABC control
rules, rebuilding plans, and restrictions
relative to conditions of harvested
shrimp (maintaining shrimp in whole
condition, use as bait).
List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 622
Fisheries, Fishing, Gulf of Mexico,
Shrimp.
[FR Doc. 2015–20954 Filed 8–24–15; 8:45 am]
Dated: August 19, 2015.
Samuel D. Rauch III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for
Regulatory Programs, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
For the reasons set out in the
preamble, 50 CFR part 622 is proposed
to be amended as follows:
50 CFR Part 660
PART 622—FISHERIES OF THE
CARIBBEAN, GULF OF MEXICO, AND
SOUTH ATLANTIC
Fisheries Off West Coast States;
Modifications of the West Coast
Commercial, Recreational, and Treaty
Indian Salmon Fisheries; Inseason
Actions #16 Through #21
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
§ 622.60 Adjustment of management
measures.
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
RIN 0648–XE111
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Modification of fishing seasons;
request for comments.
2. In § 622.60, revise paragraphs (a)
and (b) to read as follows:
*
*
*
*
(a) Gulf penaeid shrimp. For a species
or species group: Reporting and
monitoring requirements, permitting
requirements, size limits, vessel trip
limits, closed seasons or areas and
reopenings, quotas (including a quota of
zero), MSY (or proxy), OY, management
parameters such as overfished and
overfishing definitions, gear restrictions
(ranging from regulation to complete
prohibition), gear markings and
identification, vessel markings and
identification, allowable biological
catch (ABC) and ABC control rules,
rebuilding plans, restrictions relative to
conditions of harvested shrimp
(maintaining shrimp in whole
condition, use as bait), target effort and
fishing mortality reduction levels,
bycatch reduction criteria, BRD
certification and decertification criteria,
BRD testing protocol and certified BRD
specifications.
(b) Gulf royal red shrimp. Reporting
and monitoring requirements,
permitting requirements, size limits,
vessel trip limits, closed seasons or
areas and reopenings, annual catch
limits (ACLs), annual catch targets
(ACTs), quotas (including a quota of
zero), accountability measures (AMs),
Jkt 235001
[Docket No. 150316270–5270–01]
AGENCY:
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
■
16:31 Aug 24, 2015
Peggy Mundy at 206–526–4323.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
1. The authority citation for part 622
continues to read as follows:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
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:
■
*
51525
NMFS announces six
inseason actions in the ocean salmon
fisheries. These inseason actions
modified the commercial, recreational,
and treaty Indian 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 September 9, 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
SUMMARY:
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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 fisheries 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: California Department
of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), 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.
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51526
Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 164 / Tuesday, August 25, 2015 / Proposed Rules
Inseason Actions
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
Inseason Action #16
Description of action: Inseason action
#16 adjusted the daily bag limit in the
recreational salmon fishery from the
U.S./Canada border to Queets River, WA
(Neah Bay and La Push Subareas), to
limit retention of Chinook salmon,
which had been two per day, to one per
day. The new bag limit under inseason
action #16 was: Two salmon per day,
only one of which can be a Chinook
salmon, plus two additional pink
salmon.
Effective dates: Inseason action #16
took effect on July 24, 2015, and
remained in effect until the part of the
action that affected the Neah Bay
Subarea was superseded by inseason
action #18, which took effect on August
2, 2015.
Reason and authorization for the
action: The Regional Administrator (RA)
considered fishery effort and Chinook
salmon landings to date, and
determined that it was necessary to
reduce the daily bag limit for Chinook
salmon to avoid exceeding the harvest
guidelines set preseason for the Neah
Bay and La Push Subareas. Inseason
action to modify recreational bag limits
is authorized by 50 CFR
660.409(b)(1)(iii).
Consultation date and participants:
Consultation on inseason action #16
occurred on July 21, 2015. Participants
in this consultation were staff from
NMFS, Council, WDFW, and ODFW.
Inseason Action #17
Description of action: Inseason action
#17 adjusted the summer quota (July
through September) for the treaty Indian
salmon fishery north of Cape Falcon,
that was set preseason at 30,000
Chinook salmon, to 29,084 Chinook
salmon.
Effective dates: Inseason action #17
took effect on July 1, 2015, and remains
in effect until the end of the 2015 treaty
Indian salmon season.
Reason and authorization for the
action: The tribal fisheries reported an
overage of 916 Chinook salmon in the
May/June fishery. The Council’s Salmon
Technical Team (STT) determined that
no impact-neutral adjustment was
required, and that the spring overage
could be deducted from the summer
quota on a 1 to 1 basis. Modification of
quotas and/or fishing seasons is
authorized by 50 CFR 660.409(b)(1)(i).
Consultation date and participants:
The treaty tribes notified staff from
NMFS, Council, and WDFW of the need
for modification of the summer quota on
July 22, 2015, and consulted with the
STT on the need for any adjustments
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:31 Aug 24, 2015
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needed to make the modification
impact-neutral. The RA concurred with
the quota modification.
Inseason Action #18
Description of action: Inseason action
#18 adjusted the daily bag limit in the
recreational salmon fishery from the
U.S./Canada border to Cape Alava (Neah
Bay Subarea) to prohibit retention of
Chinook salmon. This action
superseded that part of inseason action
#16 that applied to the Neah Bay
Subarea.
Effective dates: Inseason action #18
took effect August 2, 2015, and remains
in effect until the end of the salmon
fishing season or until modified by
further inseason action.
Reason and authorization for the
action: The RA considered Chinook
salmon landings and effort in the
recreational salmon fishery north of
Cape Falcon and determined that the
Neah Bay Subarea was likely to exceed
the subarea guideline if retention of
Chinook salmon continued. Prohibiting
retention of Chinook salmon in this
subarea allowed fishers access to
remaining coho quota without
exceeding the Chinook salmon
guideline. Inseason action to modify
recreational bag limits is authorized by
50 CFR 660.409(b)(1)(iii).
Consultation date and participants:
Consultation on inseason action #18
occurred on July 28, 2015. Participants
in this consultation were staff from
NMFS, Council, WDFW, and ODFW.
Inseason Action #19
Description of action: Inseason action
#19 adjusted the summer quota (June
through September) for the recreational
salmon fishery north of Cape Falcon.
Unutilized quota from the spring season
was rolled over on an impact-neutral
basis to the summer season. The
adjusted summer quota is 56,700
Chinook salmon.
Effective dates: Inseason action #19
took effect on July 28, 2015, and
remains in effect until the end of the
2015 recreational salmon season.
Reason and authorization for the
action: The spring recreational salmon
fishing season north of Cape Falcon
closed on June 12, 2015. Once landings
were finalized, 8,798 Chinook salmon
remained unutilized from the spring
mark-selective Chinook salmon quota of
10,000. The STT calculated the quota
rollover to the non-mark-selective
Chinook salmon summer quota on an
impact-neutral basis for Puget Sound
Puyallup and Nisqually Chinook salmon
stocks. This resulted in a net, impactneutral rollover of 2,700 non-markselective Chinook salmon quota to the
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summer fishery. Modification of quotas
and/or fishing seasons is authorized by
50 CFR 660.409(b)(1)(i).
Consultation date and participants:
Consultation on inseason action #19
occurred on July 28, 2015. Participants
in this consultation were staff from
NMFS, Council, WDFW, and ODFW.
Inseason Action #20
Description of action: Inseason action
#20 changed the landing and possession
limit for retention of Pacific halibut
caught incidental to the commercial
salmon fishery from 12 halibut per trip
to 2 halibut per trip. This action applies
to the commercial salmon fishery from
the U.S./Canada border to the U.S./
Mexico border.
Effective dates: Inseason action #20
took effect on August 7, 2015, and
remains in effect until the end of the
commercial salmon fishing season or
until modified by further inseason
action.
Reason and authorization for the
action: The RA considered landings of
halibut caught incidental to the
commercial salmon fishery and
determined that the allocation of halibut
set by the International Pacific Halibut
Commission was close to attainment.
Inseason action #20 was taken to allow
access to the remaining halibut
allocation without exceeding the
allocation. Inseason modification of
limited retention regulations is
authorized by 50 CFR 660.409(b)(1)(ii).
Consultation date and participants:
Consultation on inseason action #20
occurred on August 5, 2015.
Participants in this consultation were
staff from NMFS, Council, CDFW,
WDFW, and ODFW.
Inseason Action #21
Description of action: Inseason action
#21 adjusted the August quota for the
commercial salmon fishery in the
Oregon KMZ. Unutilized quota from
July was rolled over on an impactneutral basis to August. The adjusted
August quota is 772 Chinook salmon.
Effective dates: Inseason action #21
took effect August 1, 2015, and remains
in effect to the end of the season.
Reason and authorization for the
action: Under inseason action #14 (80
FR 43336, July 22, 2015), the
commercial salmon fishery in the
Oregon KMZ had an adjusted July quota
of 1,184 Chinook salmon. The State of
Oregon reported that 813 Chinook
salmon were landed in the area in July,
leaving quota of 371 Chinook salmon
unutilized. To address temporal
differences in impacts to Klamath River
fall and California coastal Chinook
salmon stocks, the STT calculated the
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Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 164 / Tuesday, August 25, 2015 / Proposed Rules
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
impact-neutral rollover of 371 Chinook
salmon from July to August. As a result,
272 Chinook salmon were added to the
August quota of 500 Chinook salmon,
for an adjusted quota of 772 Chinook
salmon. After consideration of Chinook
salmon landings to date and the STT’s
calculations, the RA determined that it
was appropriate to adjust the August
quota for the commercial salmon fishery
in the Oregon KMZ. This action was
taken to allow access to available
Chinook salmon quota, without
exceeding conservation impacts to
Klamath River fall and California coastal
Chinook salmon stocks. 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 #21
occurred on August 5, 2015.
Participants in this consultation were
staff from NMFS, Council, CDFW,
WDFW, and ODFW.
All other restrictions and regulations
remain in effect as announced for the
2015 ocean salmon fisheries and 2016
salmon 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 halibut catch to
date and fishery effort supported the
above inseason actions recommended
by the states of Washington and Oregon,
and the treaty Indian tribes. 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; the tribes
manage fisheries in areas described in
the annual management measures (80
FR 25611, May 5, 2015). 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.
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
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:31 Aug 24, 2015
Jkt 235001
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: August 20, 2015.
Alan D. Risenhoover,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries,
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2015–20996 Filed 8–24–15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
50 CFR Part 665
[Docket No. 150625552–5710–01]
RIN 0648–BF22
Pacific Island Pelagic Fisheries;
Exemption for Large U.S. Longline
Vessels To Fish in Portions of the
American Samoa Large Vessel
Prohibited Area
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Proposed rule; request for
comments.
AGENCY:
NMFS proposes to allow large
federally permitted U.S. longline vessels
to fish in certain areas of the Large
Vessel Prohibited Area (LVPA) around
Swains Island, Tutuila, and the Manua
Islands. NMFS would continue to
prohibit fishing in the LVPA by large
SUMMARY:
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51527
purse seine vessels. The fishing
requirements for the Rose Atoll Marine
National Monument would remain
unchanged. The intent of the proposed
rule is to improve the viability of the
American Samoa longline fishery and
achieve optimum yield from the fishery
while preventing overfishing, in
accordance with National Standard 1.
DATES: NMFS must receive comments
by September 24, 2015.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
on this document, identified by NOAA–
NMFS–2015–0080, by either of the
following methods:
• Electronic Submission: Submit all
electronic public comments via the
Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to
https://www.regulations.gov/
#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-20150080, click the ‘‘Comment Now!’’ icon,
complete the required fields, and enter
or attach your comments.
• Mail: Send written comments to
Michael D. Tosatto, Regional
Administrator, NMFS Pacific Islands
Region (PIR), 1845 Wasp Blvd., Bldg.
176, Honolulu, HI 96818.
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.
The Western Pacific Fishery
Management Council (Council) and
NMFS prepared an environmental
analysis that describes the potential
impacts on the human environment that
could result from the proposed rule. The
environmental analysis and other
supporting documents are available at
www.regulations.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Jarad Makaiau, NMFS PIRO Sustainable
Fisheries, 808–725–5176.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In 2002,
the Council recommended establishing,
and NMFS implemented, the LVPA
around Swain’s, Tutuila, and the Manua
Islands, and Rose Atoll. At the time, the
Council and NMFS established the
LVPA to prevent the potential for gear
conflicts and catch competition between
large and small fishing vessels. Such
conflicts and competition could have
led to reduced opportunities for
sustained participation in the smallscale pelagic fisheries. The LVPA,
which extends seaward approximately
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 164 (Tuesday, August 25, 2015)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 51525-51527]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-20996]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 660
[Docket No. 150316270-5270-01]
RIN 0648-XE111
Fisheries Off West Coast States; Modifications of the West Coast
Commercial, Recreational, and Treaty Indian Salmon Fisheries; Inseason
Actions #16 Through #21
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Modification of fishing seasons; request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NMFS announces six inseason actions in the ocean salmon
fisheries. These inseason actions modified the commercial,
recreational, and treaty Indian 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 September 9, 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 fisheries
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: California
Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), 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.
[[Page 51526]]
Inseason Actions
Inseason Action #16
Description of action: Inseason action #16 adjusted the daily bag
limit in the recreational salmon fishery from the U.S./Canada border to
Queets River, WA (Neah Bay and La Push Subareas), to limit retention of
Chinook salmon, which had been two per day, to one per day. The new bag
limit under inseason action #16 was: Two salmon per day, only one of
which can be a Chinook salmon, plus two additional pink salmon.
Effective dates: Inseason action #16 took effect on July 24, 2015,
and remained in effect until the part of the action that affected the
Neah Bay Subarea was superseded by inseason action #18, which took
effect on August 2, 2015.
Reason and authorization for the action: The Regional Administrator
(RA) considered fishery effort and Chinook salmon landings to date, and
determined that it was necessary to reduce the daily bag limit for
Chinook salmon to avoid exceeding the harvest guidelines set preseason
for the Neah Bay and La Push Subareas. Inseason action to modify
recreational bag limits is authorized by 50 CFR 660.409(b)(1)(iii).
Consultation date and participants: Consultation on inseason action
#16 occurred on July 21, 2015. Participants in this consultation were
staff from NMFS, Council, WDFW, and ODFW.
Inseason Action #17
Description of action: Inseason action #17 adjusted the summer
quota (July through September) for the treaty Indian salmon fishery
north of Cape Falcon, that was set preseason at 30,000 Chinook salmon,
to 29,084 Chinook salmon.
Effective dates: Inseason action #17 took effect on July 1, 2015,
and remains in effect until the end of the 2015 treaty Indian salmon
season.
Reason and authorization for the action: The tribal fisheries
reported an overage of 916 Chinook salmon in the May/June fishery. The
Council's Salmon Technical Team (STT) determined that no impact-neutral
adjustment was required, and that the spring overage could be deducted
from the summer quota on a 1 to 1 basis. Modification of quotas and/or
fishing seasons is authorized by 50 CFR 660.409(b)(1)(i).
Consultation date and participants: The treaty tribes notified
staff from NMFS, Council, and WDFW of the need for modification of the
summer quota on July 22, 2015, and consulted with the STT on the need
for any adjustments needed to make the modification impact-neutral. The
RA concurred with the quota modification.
Inseason Action #18
Description of action: Inseason action #18 adjusted the daily bag
limit in the recreational salmon fishery from the U.S./Canada border to
Cape Alava (Neah Bay Subarea) to prohibit retention of Chinook salmon.
This action superseded that part of inseason action #16 that applied to
the Neah Bay Subarea.
Effective dates: Inseason action #18 took effect August 2, 2015,
and remains in effect until the end of the salmon fishing season or
until modified by further inseason action.
Reason and authorization for the action: The RA considered Chinook
salmon landings and effort in the recreational salmon fishery north of
Cape Falcon and determined that the Neah Bay Subarea was likely to
exceed the subarea guideline if retention of Chinook salmon continued.
Prohibiting retention of Chinook salmon in this subarea allowed fishers
access to remaining coho quota without exceeding the Chinook salmon
guideline. Inseason action to modify recreational bag limits is
authorized by 50 CFR 660.409(b)(1)(iii).
Consultation date and participants: Consultation on inseason action
#18 occurred on July 28, 2015. Participants in this consultation were
staff from NMFS, Council, WDFW, and ODFW.
Inseason Action #19
Description of action: Inseason action #19 adjusted the summer
quota (June through September) for the recreational salmon fishery
north of Cape Falcon. Unutilized quota from the spring season was
rolled over on an impact-neutral basis to the summer season. The
adjusted summer quota is 56,700 Chinook salmon.
Effective dates: Inseason action #19 took effect on July 28, 2015,
and remains in effect until the end of the 2015 recreational salmon
season.
Reason and authorization for the action: The spring recreational
salmon fishing season north of Cape Falcon closed on June 12, 2015.
Once landings were finalized, 8,798 Chinook salmon remained unutilized
from the spring mark-selective Chinook salmon quota of 10,000. The STT
calculated the quota rollover to the non-mark-selective Chinook salmon
summer quota on an impact-neutral basis for Puget Sound Puyallup and
Nisqually Chinook salmon stocks. This resulted in a net, impact-neutral
rollover of 2,700 non-mark-selective Chinook salmon quota to the summer
fishery. Modification of quotas and/or fishing seasons is authorized by
50 CFR 660.409(b)(1)(i).
Consultation date and participants: Consultation on inseason action
#19 occurred on July 28, 2015. Participants in this consultation were
staff from NMFS, Council, WDFW, and ODFW.
Inseason Action #20
Description of action: Inseason action #20 changed the landing and
possession limit for retention of Pacific halibut caught incidental to
the commercial salmon fishery from 12 halibut per trip to 2 halibut per
trip. This action applies to the commercial salmon fishery from the
U.S./Canada border to the U.S./Mexico border.
Effective dates: Inseason action #20 took effect on August 7, 2015,
and remains in effect until the end of the commercial salmon fishing
season or until modified by further inseason action.
Reason and authorization for the action: The RA considered landings
of halibut caught incidental to the commercial salmon fishery and
determined that the allocation of halibut set by the International
Pacific Halibut Commission was close to attainment. Inseason action #20
was taken to allow access to the remaining halibut allocation without
exceeding the allocation. Inseason modification of limited retention
regulations is authorized by 50 CFR 660.409(b)(1)(ii).
Consultation date and participants: Consultation on inseason action
#20 occurred on August 5, 2015. Participants in this consultation were
staff from NMFS, Council, CDFW, WDFW, and ODFW.
Inseason Action #21
Description of action: Inseason action #21 adjusted the August
quota for the commercial salmon fishery in the Oregon KMZ. Unutilized
quota from July was rolled over on an impact-neutral basis to August.
The adjusted August quota is 772 Chinook salmon.
Effective dates: Inseason action #21 took effect August 1, 2015,
and remains in effect to the end of the season.
Reason and authorization for the action: Under inseason action #14
(80 FR 43336, July 22, 2015), the commercial salmon fishery in the
Oregon KMZ had an adjusted July quota of 1,184 Chinook salmon. The
State of Oregon reported that 813 Chinook salmon were landed in the
area in July, leaving quota of 371 Chinook salmon unutilized. To
address temporal differences in impacts to Klamath River fall and
California coastal Chinook salmon stocks, the STT calculated the
[[Page 51527]]
impact-neutral rollover of 371 Chinook salmon from July to August. As a
result, 272 Chinook salmon were added to the August quota of 500
Chinook salmon, for an adjusted quota of 772 Chinook salmon. After
consideration of Chinook salmon landings to date and the STT's
calculations, the RA determined that it was appropriate to adjust the
August quota for the commercial salmon fishery in the Oregon KMZ. This
action was taken to allow access to available Chinook salmon quota,
without exceeding conservation impacts to Klamath River fall and
California coastal Chinook salmon stocks. 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
#21 occurred on August 5, 2015. Participants in this consultation were
staff from NMFS, Council, CDFW, WDFW, and ODFW.
All other restrictions and regulations remain in effect as
announced for the 2015 ocean salmon fisheries and 2016 salmon 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 halibut catch to date and fishery effort
supported the above inseason actions recommended by the states of
Washington and Oregon, and the treaty Indian tribes. 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; the
tribes manage fisheries in areas described in the annual management
measures (80 FR 25611, May 5, 2015). 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.
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: August 20, 2015.
Alan D. Risenhoover,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries
Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-20996 Filed 8-24-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P