Fisheries Off West Coast States; West Coast Salmon Fisheries; 2018 Management Measures and a Temporary Rule, 19005-19019 [2018-09164]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 84 (Tuesday, May 1, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 19005-19019]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-09164]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 660

[Docket No. 170831849-8404-01]
RIN 0648-BH22


Fisheries Off West Coast States; West Coast Salmon Fisheries; 
2018 Management Measures and a Temporary Rule

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

ACTION: Final rule; and a temporary rule for emergency action.

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SUMMARY: Through this final rule, NMFS establishes fishery management 
measures for the 2018 ocean salmon fisheries off Washington, Oregon, 
and California and the 2019 salmon seasons opening earlier than May 1, 
2019. The temporary rule for emergency action (emergency rule), under 
the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA), 
implements the 2018 annual management measures for the West Coast ocean 
salmon fisheries for the area from the U.S./Canada border to Cape 
Falcon, OR, from May 1, 2018, through October 28, 2018. The emergency 
rule is required because allocation of coho harvest between 
recreational and commercial fisheries will not be consistent with the 
allocation schedule specified in the Pacific Coast Salmon Fishery 
Management Plan (FMP) in order to limit fishery impacts on Queets and 
Grays Harbor coho and meet conservation and management objectives. The 
fishery management measures for the area from Cape Falcon, OR, to the 
U.S./Mexico border are consistent with the FMP and are implemented 
through a final rule. Specific fishery management measures vary by 
fishery and by area. The measures establish fishing areas, seasons, 
quotas, legal gear, recreational fishing days and catch limits, 
possession and landing restrictions, and minimum lengths for salmon 
taken in the U.S. exclusive economic zone (EEZ) (3-200 nautical miles 
(nmi)) off Washington, Oregon, and California. The management measures 
are intended to prevent overfishing and to apportion the ocean harvest 
equitably among treaty Indian, non-treaty commercial, and recreational 
fisheries. The measures are also intended to allow a portion of the 
salmon runs to escape the ocean fisheries in order to provide for 
spawning escapement and inside fisheries (fisheries occurring in state 
internal waters).

DATES: The final rule covering fisheries south of Cape Falcon, OR, is 
effective from 0001 hours Pacific Daylight Time (PDT), May 1, 2018, 
until the effective date of the 2019 management measures, which will be 
published in the Federal Register. The temporary rule covering 
fisheries north of Cape Falcon, OR, is effective from 0001 hours PDT, 
May 1, 2018, through 2400 hours PDT, October 28, 2018, or the 
attainment of the specific quotas listed below in section two of this 
rule.

ADDRESSES: The documents cited in this document are available on the 
Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Council's) website 
(www.pcouncil.org).

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    The ocean salmon fisheries in the EEZ off Washington, Oregon, and 
California are managed under a ``framework'' FMP. Regulations at 50 CFR 
part 660, subpart H, provide the mechanism for making preseason and 
inseason adjustments to the management measures, within limits set by 
the FMP, by notification in the Federal Register. 50 CFR 660.408, in 
addition to the FMP, governs the establishment of annual management 
measures.
    The management measures for the 2018 and pre-May 2019 ocean salmon 
fisheries that are implemented in this final rule were recommended by 
the Council at its April 5 to 11, 2018, meeting.

Process Used To Establish 2018 Management Measures

    The Council announced its annual preseason management process for 
the 2018 ocean salmon fisheries in the Federal Register on December 27, 
2017 (82 FR 61268), and on the Council's website at www.pcouncil.org. 
NMFS published an additional notice of opportunities to submit public 
comments on the 2018 ocean salmon fisheries in the Federal Register on 
January 23, 2018 (83 FR 3133). These notices announced the availability 
of Council documents, the dates and locations of Council meetings and 
public hearings comprising the Council's complete schedule of events 
for determining the annual proposed and final modifications to ocean 
salmon fishery management measures, and instructions on how to comment 
on the development of the 2018 ocean salmon fisheries. The agendas for 
the March and April Council meetings were published in the Federal 
Register (83 FR 7457, February 21, 2018, and 83 FR 11991, March 19, 
2018, respectively) and posted on the Council's website prior to the 
actual meetings.
    In accordance with the FMP, the Council's Salmon Technical Team 
(STT) and staff economist prepared four reports for the Council, its 
advisors, and the public. All four reports were made available on the 
Council's website upon their completion. The first of the reports, 
``Review of 2017 Ocean Salmon Fisheries,'' was prepared in February 
when the first increment of scientific information necessary for 
crafting management measures for the 2018 and pre-May 2019 ocean salmon 
fisheries became available. The first report summarizes biological and 
socio-economic data for the 2017 ocean salmon fisheries and assesses 
the performance of the fisheries with respect to the Council's 2017 
management objectives. The second report, ``Preseason Report I Stock 
Abundance Analysis and Environmental

[[Page 19006]]

Assessment Part 1 for 2018 Ocean Salmon Fishery Regulations'' (PRE I), 
provides the 2018 salmon stock abundance projections and analyzes the 
impacts on the stocks and Council management goals if the 2017 
regulations and regulatory procedures were applied to the projected 
2018 stock abundances. The completion of PRE I is the initial step in 
developing and evaluating the full suite of preseason alternatives.
    Following completion of the first two reports, the Council met in 
Rohnert Park, CA, from March 7 to 14, 2018, to develop 2018 management 
alternatives for proposal to the public. The Council proposed three 
alternatives for commercial and recreational fisheries management for 
analysis and public comment. These alternatives consisted of various 
combinations of management measures designed to ensure that stocks of 
coho and Chinook salmon with low abundance meet conservation goals, and 
to provide for ocean harvests of more abundant stocks. After the March 
Council meeting, the Council's STT and staff economist prepared a third 
report, ``Preseason Report II Proposed Alternatives and Environmental 
Assessment Part 2 for 2018 Ocean Salmon Fishery Regulations'' (PRE II), 
which analyzes the effects of the proposed 2018 management 
alternatives.
    The Council sponsored public hearings to receive testimony on the 
proposed alternatives on March 26, 2018, in Westport, WA, and Coos Bay, 
OR; and on March 27, 2018, in Salinas, CA. The States of Washington, 
Oregon, and California sponsored meetings in various fora that also 
collected public testimony, which was then presented to the Council by 
each state's Council representative. The Council also received public 
testimony at both the March and April meetings and received written 
comments at the Council office and electronic submissions via 
www.regulations.gov.
    The Council met from April 5 to 11, 2018, in Portland, OR, to adopt 
its final 2018 salmon management recommendations. Following the April 
Council meeting, the Council's STT and staff economist prepared a 
fourth report, ``Preseason Report III Analysis of Council-Adopted 
Management Measures for 2018 Ocean Salmon Fisheries'' (PRE III), which 
analyzes the environmental and socio-economic effects of the Council's 
final recommendations. After the Council took final action on the 
annual ocean salmon specifications in April, it transmitted the 
recommended management measures to NMFS, published them in its 
newsletter, and posted them on the Council website (www.pcouncil.org).

National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)

    The environmental assessment (EA) for this action comprises the 
Council's documents described above (PRE I, PRE II, and PRE III), 
providing analysis of environmental and socioeconomic effects under 
NEPA. The EA and its related Finding of No Significant Impact are 
posted on the NMFS West Coast Region website 
(www.westcoast.fisheries.noaa.gov).

Resource Status

Stocks of Concern

    The FMP requires that the fisheries be shaped to meet escapement-
based Annual Catch Limits (ACLs), Endangered Species Act (ESA) 
consultation requirements, obligations of the Pacific Salmon Treaty 
(PST) between the U.S. and Canada, and other conservation objectives 
detailed in the FMP. Because the ocean salmon fisheries are mixed-stock 
fisheries, this requires ``weak stock'' management to avoid exceeding 
limits for the stocks with the most constraining limits. Abundance 
forecasts for individual salmon stocks can vary significantly from one 
year to the next; therefore, the stocks that constrain the fishery in 
one year may differ from those that constrain the fishery in the next. 
For 2018, limits for six stocks are the most constraining on the 
fisheries; these are described below.
    Fisheries south of Cape Falcon, OR, are limited in 2018 primarily 
by conservation concerns for Klamath River fall-run Chinook salmon 
(KRFC) and Sacramento River fall-run Chinook salmon (SRFC); both stocks 
meet the FMP criteria for being overfished, although NMFS has not made 
a determination at this time. Fisheries north of Cape Falcon are 
limited primarily by the low abundance forecast for Queets and Grays 
Harbor coho which are managed subject to provisions of the Pacific 
Salmon Treaty as well as those specified in the Council's FMP. The 
Queets coho stock, as well as Juan de Fuca and Snohomish coho stocks, 
meets the FMP criteria for being overfished; although again, NMFS has 
not made a determination at this time. Additionally, collective 
fisheries impacts on the tule component of the ESA-listed Lower 
Columbia River Chinook salmon evolutionarily significant unit (ESU) and 
Puget Sound Chinook salmon ESU are limiting primarily to fisheries 
north of Cape Falcon. The limitations imposed in order to protect these 
stocks are described below. The alternatives and the Council's 
recommended management measures for 2018 were designed to avoid 
exceeding these limitations.
    Klamath River fall-run Chinook salmon (KRFC): Abundance for this 
non-ESA-listed stock in recent years has been historically low, and it 
currently meets the FMP's status determination criteria (SDC) for an 
overfished condition based on spawning escapement in 2015, 2016, and 
2017. The FMP defines ``overfished'' status in terms of a three-year 
geometric mean escapement level and whether it is below the minimum 
stock size threshold. Forecast abundance for KRFC in 2017 was the 
lowest on record. Forecast abundance for KRFC in 2018 is improved from 
2017, and fisheries will be managed to meet the FMP conservation 
objective, a maximum sustainable yield spawning escapement goal 
(SMSY) of 40,700 natural area spawners. Fisheries south of 
Cape Falcon, particularly in the Klamath Management Zone (KMZ) from 
Humbug Mountain, OR to Humboldt South Jetty, CA will be somewhat 
constrained to meet this goal, but less so than in 2017 when there was 
a complete closure of commercial and recreational ocean salmon fishing 
in the KMZ.
    Sacramento River fall-run Chinook salmon (SRFC): SRFC is not an 
ESA-listed stock; however, abundance for this stock in recent years has 
been low. In 2017, spawning escapement was 33 percent of what was 
forecast. The stock currently meets the FMP's SDC for an overfished 
condition based on escapements in 2015, 2016, and 2017. Abundance 
forecast for SRFC in 2018 is nearly identical to the forecast in 2017. 
However, preseason abundance forecasts for SRFC have tended to be 
optimistic in recent years, when compared to postseason abundance 
estimates. For example, in 2017 the preseason forecast for SRFC 
abundance was 230,700, whereas the postseason estimate was 139,997. In 
order to be conservative given the frequent upward bias in the 
abundance forecasts and the fact that SRFC meet the FMP criteria for 
overfished, the Council has recommended fisheries to achieve a spawning 
escapement of 151,000, the mid-point of the FMP Conservation Objective 
range (122,000 to 180,000 natural and hatchery adult spawners). Meeting 
this risk averse spawning escapement goal will constrain fisheries 
south of Cape Falcon in 2018.
    Queets coho: Queets coho are managed in Council-area and northern

[[Page 19007]]

fisheries subject to the provisions of the PST. The 2018 abundance 
forecast for this non-ESA-listed stock is low; 7,000 fish compared to a 
2008-2017 average of 16,620 fish. The stock currently meets the FMP's 
criteria for an overfished condition based on escapements in 2014, 
2015, and 2016 (the three most recent years for which escapement data 
are available). The FMP's conservation objective for Queets coho is an 
SMSY spawning escapement of 5,800 fish after ocean and in-
river fishery impacts. Under the criteria of the PST's Southern Coho 
Management Plan, Queets coho abundance is in the ``low'' category in 
2018 and subject to a total exploitation rate limit of 20 percent. The 
Council has recommended fisheries that will meet both the FMP's 
escapement requirement and the PST exploitation rate limit. Meeting the 
conservation and management objectives for Queets coho will constrain 
fisheries north of Cape Falcon.
    Grays Harbor coho: Grays Harbor coho is another non-ESA-listed 
stock that, like Queets coho, is managed in Council-area and northern 
fisheries subject to provisions of the PST. The forecast abundance for 
Grays Harbor coho places this stock in the ``low'' category under the 
PST, which limits the exploitation rate to 20 percent. The U.S. 
Commissioner that represents Washington State informed the Canadian 
Chair of the Pacific Salmon Commission that we anticipate a total 
exploitation rate of 20.7 percent for Grays Harbor coho and, given the 
small deviation from the 20 percent limit, recommended that we not 
invoke the provisions of PST Chapter Five, Paragraph 11(c) that involve 
the Southern Panel. The Canadian Chair did not object to the 
recommendation. The result is that the action is in compliance with 
provisions of the PST.
    The FMP also includes a conservation objective for Grays Harbor 
coho--a spawning escapement of 35,400 fish. Although the Council's 
recommendations would allow for an ocean escapement of 40,500 Grays 
Harbor coho, the conservation objective in the FMP is for a spawning 
escapement that accounts for in-river fishery impacts. The FMP provides 
flexibility in setting the annual spawning escapement for several 
Washington coho stocks, provided there is agreement between the 
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and the treaty 
tribes, under the provisions of U.S. v Washington. Based on agreement 
between those parties, the Council adopted a 2018 spawning escapement 
target of 33,700 Grays Harbor coho to allow for limited harvest 
opportunity in ocean and in-river fisheries directed at other higher-
abundance stocks. Meeting the conservation and management objectives 
for Grays Harbor coho will constrain fisheries, primarily north of Cape 
Falcon.
    Lower Columbia River Chinook salmon (LCR Chinook)--ESA-listed 
Threatened: In 2012, NMFS consulted under ESA section 7 and issued a 
biological opinion that applies to fisheries beginning in 2012, 
concluding that the proposed fisheries, if managed consistent with the 
proposed action analyzed in the biological opinion, are not likely to 
jeopardize the continued existence of LCR Chinook salmon. The LCR 
Chinook salmon ESU is comprised of a spring-run component, a ``far-
north'' migrating bright component, and a component of north migrating 
tules. The bright and tule components both have fall-run timing. Unlike 
the spring-run or bright populations of the ESU, LCR tule populations 
are caught in large numbers in Council fisheries, as well as fisheries 
to the north and in the Columbia River. Therefore, this component of 
the ESU is the one most likely to constrain Council fisheries in the 
area north of Cape Falcon, Oregon. Consistent with the proposed action 
for the 2012 biological opinion, NMFS and the Council use an abundance-
based management (ABM) framework to set annual exploitation rates for 
LCR tule Chinook salmon below Bonneville Dam. Applying the ABM 
framework to the 2018 preseason abundance forecast, the LCR tule 
exploitation rate is limited to a maximum of 38 percent. In 2018, LCR 
Chinook will primarily constrain salmon fisheries north of Cape Falcon.
    Puget Sound Chinook--ESA-listed Threatened: Impacts on threatened 
Puget Sound Chinook from Council-managed fisheries are addressed 
through a 2004 biological opinion. Generally, these impacts are quite 
low and well within the range contemplated in the 2004 opinion. 
However, because Puget Sound Chinook are also impacted by fisheries in 
Puget Sound and associated freshwater fisheries (collectively referred 
to as ``inside'' fisheries), the Council and NMFS usually consider the 
impacts of Council-area and inside fisheries on Puget Sound Chinook 
together, and they base their analysis of the combined impacts on a 
package of Puget Sound fisheries to which the State of Washington and 
Indian tribes with treaty rights to fish in Puget Sound have agreed 
through a negotiation process that runs concurrent with the Council's 
salmon season planning process. In 2018, fisheries north of Cape Falcon 
will be constrained to avoid jeopardy to several populations within the 
Puget Sound Chinook salmon ESU, when combined with inside fisheries.
    Sacramento River winter-run Chinook salmon (SRWC)--ESA-listed 
Endangered: The endangered SRWC ESU is one of NMFS' Species in the 
Spotlight, eight species that are among the most at risk of extinction 
in the near future. Impacts on SRWC from Council-managed fisheries are 
addressed through a set of management measures analyzed in NMFS' 2018 
biological opinion and approved by NMFS, including a new harvest 
control rule recommended by the Council for limiting impacts on SRWC 
based on projected abundance. The harvest control rule was developed 
through the Council process over two years. NMFS published a final rule 
to approve the Council's recommendation (83 FR 18233, April 26, 2018). 
The SRWC management measures include management-area-specific fishing 
season openings and closures and minimum size limits for both 
commercial and recreational fisheries, these restrictions were included 
in a 2012 Reasonable and Prudent Alternative NMFS issued for the 
fishery. The new harvest control rule establishes an allowable age-
three impact rate based on the forecast of age-three SRWC escapement 
absent fishing. The forecast of the age-three escapement absent fishing 
is based on juvenile survival rates spanning outmigration in freshwater 
and early ocean residence. The forecast of SRWC age-three escapement 
absent fishing in 2018 is 1,594. Application of the harvest control 
rule results in a maximum age-three impact rate of 14.4 percent for the 
area south of Point Arena in 2018. However, constraints in place for 
SRFC will limit impacts to SRWC to 8.5 percent; therefore, SRWC will 
not constrain fisheries south of Cape Falcon in 2018.

Annual Catch Limits and Status Determination Criteria

    Annual Catch Limits (ACLs) are set for two Chinook salmon stocks, 
SRFC and KRFC, and one coho stock, Willapa Bay natural coho. The 
Chinook salmon stocks are indicator stocks for the Central Valley Fall 
Chinook complex and the Southern Oregon/Northern California Chinook 
complex, respectively. The Far North Migrating Coastal Chinook complex 
includes a group of Chinook salmon stocks that are caught primarily in 
fisheries north of Cape Falcon, Oregon, and other fisheries that occur 
north of the U.S./Canada border. No ACL is set for these stocks because 
they are managed subject to

[[Page 19008]]

provisions of the PST between the U.S. and Canada. Other Chinook salmon 
stocks caught in fisheries north of Cape Falcon are ESA-listed or 
hatchery produced, and are managed consistent with ESA consultations or 
hatchery goals. Willapa Bay natural coho is the only coho stock for 
which an ACL is set, as the other coho stocks in the FMP are either 
ESA-listed, hatchery produced, or managed under the PST.
    ACLs for salmon stocks are escapement-based, which means they 
establish a number of adults that must escape the fisheries to return 
to the spawning grounds. ACLs are set based on the annual potential 
spawner abundance forecast and a fishing rate reduced to account for 
scientific uncertainty. For SRFC in 2018, the overfishing limit (OFL) 
is SOFL = 229,432 (potential spawner abundance forecast) 
multiplied by 1-FMSY (1-0.78) or 50,475 returning spawners 
(FMSY is the fishing mortality rate that would result in 
maximum sustainable yield-MSY). SABC is 229,432 multiplied 
by 1-FABC (1-0.70) (FMSY reduced for scientific 
uncertainty = 0.70) or 68,830. The SACL is set equal to 
SABC, i.e., 68,830 spawners. The adopted management measures 
provide for a projected SRFC spawning escapement of 151,000. For KRFC 
in 2018, SOFL is 59,733 (potential spawner abundance 
forecast) multiplied by 1-FMSY (1-0.71), or 17,323 returning 
spawners. SABC is 59,733 multiplied by 1-FABC (1-
0.68) (FMSY reduced for scientific uncertainty = 0.68) or 
19,115 returning spawners. SACL is set equal to 
SABC, i.e., 19,115 spawners. The adopted management measures 
provide for a projected KRFC spawning escapement of 40,700. For Willapa 
Bay natural coho in 2018, SOFL = 20,645 (potential spawner 
abundance forecast) multiplied by 1-FMSY (1-0.74) or 5,368 
returning spawners. SABC is 20,645 multiplied by 1-
FABC (1-0.70) (FMSY reduced for scientific 
uncertainty = 0.70) or 6,194. SACL is set equal to 
SABC, i.e., 6,194 spawners. The adopted management measures 
provide for a projected Willapa Bay natural coho ocean escapement of 
19,000.
    As explained in more detail above under ``Stocks of Concern,'' 
fisheries north and south of Cape Falcon are constrained by impact 
limits necessary to protect ESA-listed salmon stocks including LCR and 
Puget Sound Chinook salmon, as well as four salmon stocks that are not 
ESA-listed. For 2018, projected abundance of the three stocks with ACLs 
(SRFC, KRFC, and Willapa Bay natural coho), in combination with the 
constraints for ESA-listed and non-ESA-listed stocks, are expected to 
result in escapements greater than required to meet the ACLs for all 
three stocks with defined ACLs.

Emergency Rule

    The Council's final recommendation for the ocean salmon fishing 
seasons that commence May 1, 2018, deviates from the FMP specifically 
with regard to the FMP's allocation schedule for coho harvest in the 
area north of Cape Falcon, between commercial and recreational 
fisheries. The total allowable catch (TAC) of coho in non-treaty 
commercial and recreational fisheries north of Cape Falcon is 47,600 
marked coho in 2018. At that TAC level, the FMP allocates 25 percent 
(16 percent marked coho equivalent) of coho to the commercial fishery 
and 75 percent (84 percent marked coho equivalent) of coho to the 
recreational fishery. To limit fishery impacts on coho consistent with 
the adopted spawning escapement and exploitation rates described above, 
the Council recommended the following allocations of marked coho TAC: 
12 percent commercial and 88 percent recreational. Recreational 
fisheries are more dependent on coho, while commercial fisheries are 
more dependent on Chinook salmon. Additionally, in mark-selective 
fisheries, recreational fisheries have a lower impact rate than 
commercial fisheries due to lower hook and release mortality. This 
deviation from the FMP allocation schedule should provide fishing 
opportunity on abundant stocks while limiting fishery impacts on Queets 
coho.
    The Council considered three alternative fishery management schemes 
for the fisheries north of Cape Falcon; one of the three alternatives 
was inconsistent with the FMP coho allocation schedule. Alternative I 
would have limited the commercial fishery to 12 percent of the north of 
Falcon marked coho TAC, inconsistent with the FMP allocation schedule 
between commercial and recreational fisheries; Alternatives II and III 
would have been consistent with the FMP coho allocation schedule. The 
Council's state and tribal representatives, and industry advisory 
committee, supported consideration of these three alternatives. The 
Council's final recommended management measures are within the range of 
the three alternatives in terms of impacts to coho and they meet the 
FMP conservation objectives. The Council voted unanimously to adopt 
these measures, and members spoke about the need to conserve Queets and 
Grays Harbor coho while providing harvest opportunity on abundant 
stocks to provide economic benefit to fishery dependent communities.
    The proposed fisheries are designed to minimize impacts on Queets 
and Grays Harbor coho and are not expected to jeopardize the capacity 
of the fishery to produce maximum sustainable yield on a continuing 
basis. The FMP defines overfishing and overfished status for these 
stocks. No coho stock would be subject to overfishing under the 
proposed management measures. Queets coho currently meet the FMP's SDC 
for an overfished condition based on escapements in 2014, 2015, and 
2016. Escapement for Queets coho is not yet available for 2017; 
however, fisheries in 2017 were managed similar to the Council's 
proposed 2018 fisheries, to conserve fishery impacts to Queets and 
other coho stocks.
    The temporary rule for emergency action implements the 2018 annual 
management measures for the West Coast ocean salmon fisheries for the 
area from the U.S./Canada border to Cape Falcon, OR, for 180 days, from 
May 1, 2018, through October 28, 2018 (16 U.S.C. 1855(c)).

Public Comments

    The Council invited written comments on developing 2018 salmon 
management measures in their notice announcing public meetings and 
hearings (82 FR 61268, December 27, 2017). At its March meeting, the 
Council adopted three alternatives for 2018 salmon management measures 
having a range of quotas, season structure, and impacts, from the least 
restrictive in Alternative I to the most restrictive in Alternative 
III. These alternatives are described in detail in PRE II. 
Subsequently, comments were taken at three public hearings held in 
March, staffed by representatives of the Council and NMFS. The Council 
received several written comments directly. The three public hearings 
were attended by a total of 229 people; 80 people provided oral 
comments. Comments came from individual fishers, fishing associations, 
fish buyers, and processors. Written and oral comments addressed the 
2018 management alternatives described in PRE II, and generally 
expressed preferences for a specific alternative or for particular 
season structures as well as concern over economic impacts of 
restricting fisheries for conservation of weak stocks. All comments 
were included in the Council's briefing book for their April 2018 
meeting and were considered by the Council, which includes a 
representative from NMFS, in developing the recommended management 
measures transmitted to

[[Page 19009]]

NMFS on April 19, 2018. In addition to comments collected at the public 
hearings and those submitted directly to the Council, several people 
provided oral comments at the April 2018 Council meeting. NMFS also 
invited comments to be submitted directly to the Council or to NMFS, 
via the Federal Rulemaking Portal (www.regulations.gov) in a notice (83 
FR 3133, January 23, 2018). Twenty comments were submitted via 
www.regulations.gov; of these, two were relevant to the 2018 ocean 
salmon fishery.
    Comments on alternatives for fisheries north of Cape Falcon. For 
fisheries north of Cape Falcon, Alternative I was favored by most 
commercial and recreational fishery commenters at the public hearing in 
Westport, WA. A variety of modifications to the alternatives were 
presented, most designed to maximize fishing opportunity or extend the 
season in both commercial and recreational fisheries.
    Comments on alternatives for fisheries south of Cape Falcon. 
Comments supporting a particular alternative south of Cape Falcon 
varied with geographic location of the meeting or commenter. Those 
attending the meeting in Coos Bay, OR, largely favored Alternative I 
for both commercial and recreational fisheries, while those attending 
the meeting in Salinas, CA, did not express support for any of the 
commercial fishery alternatives and the few attendees who expressed a 
preference for any of the recreational alternatives favored Alternative 
I. Comments on fisheries south of Cape Falcon largely focused on the 
economic consequences of continuing constrained fisheries.
    Comments on incidental halibut retention in the commercial salmon 
fisheries. At its March meeting, the Council identified three 
alternatives for landing limits for incidentally caught halibut that 
are retained in the salmon troll fishery. The alternatives included: 
(1) A range of trip limits for halibut possession and landing, (2) two 
alternatives for the ratio of halibut to Chinook salmon landed in a 
trip, and (3) the number of halibut that could be retained prior to 
catching any Chinook salmon. There were a few comments received on 
halibut and these focused on the ability to access the full halibut 
allocation as Chinook salmon landing limits will be constrained in many 
areas (severely constrained salmon fisheries in 2016 resulted in the 
commercial fleet being unable to access all of the incidental halibut 
allocation available).
    Comments from treaty tribe representatives. At its March and April 
meetings, the Council heard testimony from members of several treaty 
tribes; additional comments were submitted in writing. There was strong 
concern about environmental conditions in the Klamath and Trinity 
Rivers that are deleterious to salmon survival, including promoting 
increased rates of infection by the parasite Ceratonova shasta. 
Comments were made on the need for sufficient spawning escapement in 
the Columbia River Basin and in support of successful artificial 
propogation and reintroduction efforts implemented there by the tribes. 
Comments were made on the reserved treaty rights of tribes to fish and 
frustration with insufficient salmon for tribal needs.
    The Council, including the NMFS representative, took all of these 
comments into consideration. The Council's final recommendation 
generally includes aspects of all three alternatives, while taking into 
account the best available scientific information and ensuring that 
fisheries are consistent with impact limits for ESA-listed stocks, 
ACLs, PST obligations, and tribal fishing rights. These management 
tools assist the Council in meeting impact limits on weak stocks. The 
Council adopted an alternative for incidental halibut retention that is 
within the range of the alternatives considered, including a per trip 
landing limit that is lower than was adopted for 2017 salmon fisheries 
(82 FR 19631, April 28, 2017).

Management Measures for 2018 Fisheries

    The Council's recommended ocean harvest levels and management 
measures for the 2018 fisheries are designed to apportion the burden of 
protecting the weak stocks identified and discussed in PRE I equitably 
among ocean fisheries and to allow maximum harvest of natural and 
hatchery runs surplus to inside fishery and spawning needs. NMFS finds 
the Council's recommendations to be responsive to the goals of the FMP, 
the requirements of the resource, and the socioeconomic factors 
affecting resource users. The recommendations are consistent with the 
requirements of the MSA, U.S. obligations to Indian tribes with 
federally recognized fishing rights, and U.S. international obligations 
regarding Pacific salmon. The Council's recommended management measures 
are consistent with the proposed actions analyzed in NMFS' ESA 
consultations for those ESA-listed salmon species that may be affected 
by Council fisheries. Accordingly, NMFS, through this final rule and 
temporary rule, approves and implements the Council's recommendations.
    North of Cape Falcon, 2018 management measures for non-Indian 
commercial troll and recreational fisheries have decreased quotas for 
Chinook salmon compared to 2017, and coho quotas are the same as in 
2017.
    Quotas for the 2018 treaty-Indian commercial troll fishery North of 
Cape Falcon are 40,000 Chinook salmon and 12,500 coho in ocean 
management areas and Washington State Statistical Area 4B combined. 
These quotas are unchanged from 2017. The treaty-Indian commercial 
fisheries include a May and June fishery with a quota of 16,000 
Chinook, and a July and August fishery, with quotas of 24,000 Chinook 
and 12,500 coho.
    Recreational fisheries south of Cape Falcon will be directed 
primarily at Chinook salmon and are shaped to meet conservation and 
management goals for KRFC and SRFC spawning escapement. Commercial 
fisheries south of Cape Falcon will be directed at Chinook and have no 
coho retention.

Management Measures for 2019 Fisheries

    The timing of the March and April Council meetings makes it 
impracticable for the Council to recommend fishing seasons that begin 
before May 1 of the same year. Therefore, this action also establishes 
the 2019 fishing seasons that open earlier than May 1. The Council 
recommended, and NMFS concurs, that the commercial season off Oregon 
from Cape Falcon to the Oregon/California border, the commercial season 
off California from Horse Mountain to Point Arena, the recreational 
season off Oregon from Cape Falcon to Humbug Mountain, and the 
recreational season off California from Horse Mountain to the U.S./
Mexico border will open in 2019 as indicated in the ``Season 
Description'' section of this document. At the March 2019 meeting, NMFS 
may take inseason action, if recommended by the Council or the states, 
to adjust the commercial and recreational seasons prior to May 1 in the 
areas off Oregon and California.
    The following sections set out the management regime for the ocean 
salmon fishery. Open seasons and days are described in Sections 1, 2, 
and 3 of the 2018 management measures. Inseason closures in the 
commercial and recreational fisheries are announced on the NMFS hotline 
and through the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Notice to Mariners as described 
in Section 6. Other inseason adjustments to management measures are 
also announced on the hotline and through the Notice to

[[Page 19010]]

Mariners. Inseason actions will also be published in the Federal 
Register as soon as practicable.
    The following are the management measures recommended by the 
Council, approved, and implemented here for 2018 and, as specified, for 
2019.

Section 1. Commercial Management Measures for 2018 Ocean Salmon 
Fisheries

    Parts A, B, and C of this section contain restrictions that must be 
followed for lawful participation in the fishery. Part A identifies 
each fishing area and provides the geographic boundaries from north to 
south, the open seasons for the area, the salmon species allowed to be 
caught during the seasons, and any other special restrictions effective 
in the area. Part B specifies minimum size limits. Part C specifies 
special requirements, definitions, restrictions, and exceptions.

A. Season Description

North of Cape Falcon, OR
--U.S./Canada Border to Cape Falcon
May 1 through the earlier of June 30 or 16,500 Chinook, no more than 
5,200 of which may be caught in the area between the U.S./Canada border 
and the Queets River and no more than 4,600 of which may be caught in 
the area between Leadbetter Point and Cape Falcon (C.8). Open seven 
days per week (C.1). All salmon except coho may be retained (C.4, C.7). 
Chinook minimum size limit of 28 inches total length (B). See 
compliance requirements (C.1) and gear restrictions and definitions 
(C.2, C.3). Chinook landing and possession limits per vessel per 
landing week (Thursday through Wednesday) are in place:
U.S./Canada border to the Queets River: 50 Chinook;
Queets River to Leadbetter Point: 100 Chinook;
Leadbetter Point to Cape Falcon: 50 Chinook (C.1, C.6).

    When it is projected that approximately 60 percent of the overall 
Chinook guideline has been landed, or approximately 60 percent of the 
Chinook subarea guideline has been landed in the area between the U.S./
Canada border and the Queets River, or approximately 60 percent of the 
Chinook subarea guideline has been landed in the area between 
Leadbetter Point and Cape Falcon, inseason action will be considered to 
ensure the guideline is not exceeded.
    July 1 through the earlier of September 19 or 11,000 Chinook or 
5,600 coho, no more than 4,600 Chinook may be caught in the area 
between the U.S./Canada border and the Queets River, and no more than 
1,300 Chinook may be caught in the area between Leadbetter Point and 
Cape Falcon (C.8). Open seven days per week. All salmon may be 
retained, except no chum retention north of Cape Alava, Washington, in 
August and September (C.4, C.7). Chinook minimum size limit of 28 
inches total length. Coho minimum size limit of 16 inches total length 
(B, C.1). All coho must be marked with a healed adipose fin clip 
(C.8.e). See compliance requirements (C.1) and gear restrictions and 
definitions (C.2, C.3). In the area between the U.S./Canada border and 
the Queets River and the area between Leadbetter Point and Cape Falcon, 
a landing and possession limit of 50 Chinook per vessel per landing 
week (Thursday through Wednesday) will be in place (C.1, C.6). Landing 
and possession limit of 10 coho per vessel per landing week (C.1). When 
it is projected that approximately 60 percent of the overall Chinook 
guideline has been landed, or approximately 60 percent of the Chinook 
subarea guideline has been landed in the area between the U.S./Canada 
border and the Queets River, or approximately 60 percent of the Chinook 
subarea guideline has been landed in the area between Leadbetter Point 
and Cape Falcon, inseason action will be considered to ensure the 
guideline is not exceeded.
    For all commercial troll fisheries north of Cape Falcon: Mandatory 
closed areas include: Salmon Troll Yelloweye Rockfish Conservation Area 
(YRCA), Cape Flattery and Columbia Control Zones, and, beginning August 
13, Grays Harbor Control Zone (C.5). Vessels must land and deliver 
their salmon within 24 hours of any closure of this fishery. Vessels 
fishing, or in possession of salmon while fishing, north of Leadbetter 
Point must land and deliver all species of fish within the area and 
north of Leadbetter Point. Vessels fishing, or in possession of salmon 
while fishing, south of Leadbetter Point must land and deliver all 
species of fish within the area and south of Leadbetter Point, except 
that Oregon permitted vessels may also land all species of fish in 
Garibaldi, OR. Under state law, vessels must report their catch on a 
state fish receiving ticket. Oregon State regulations require all 
fishers landing salmon into Oregon from any fishery between Leadbetter 
Point, WA, and Cape Falcon, OR, must notify Oregon Department of Fish 
and Wildlife (ODFW) within one hour of delivery or prior to transport 
away from the port of landing by either calling (541) 867-0300 ext. 271 
or sending notification via email to [email protected]. 
Notification shall include vessel name and number, number of salmon by 
species, port of landing and location of delivery, and estimated time 
of delivery. Inseason actions may modify harvest guidelines in later 
fisheries to achieve or prevent exceeding the overall allowable troll 
harvest impacts (C.8). Vessels in possession of salmon north of the 
Queets River may not cross the Queets River line without first 
notifying WDFW at (360) 249-1215 with area fished, total Chinook, coho, 
and halibut catch aboard, and destination. Vessels in possession of 
salmon south of the Queets River may not cross the Queets River line 
without first notifying WDFW at (360) 249-1215 with area fished, total 
Chinook, coho, and halibut catch aboard, and destination.
South of Cape Falcon, OR
--Cape Falcon to Humbug Mountain
May 4-14, and 19-31;
June 4-12, and 16-30;
July 5-12, and 16-31;
August 3-7, 13-17, and 25-29;
September 1-October 31 (C.9.a).

    Open seven days per week. All salmon except coho may be retained 
(C.4, C.7). Chinook minimum size limit of 28 inches total length (B, 
C.1). All vessels fishing in the area must land their fish in the state 
of Oregon. See gear restrictions and definitions (C.2, C.3) and Oregon 
State regulations for a description of special regulations at the mouth 
of Tillamook Bay. Beginning September 1, no more than 50 Chinook 
allowed per vessel per landing week (Thursday through Wednesday); and 
only open shoreward of the 40 fathom management line beginning October 
1.
    In 2019, the season will open March 15 for all salmon except coho. 
Chinook minimum size limit of 28 inches total length. Gear restrictions 
same as in 2018. This opening could be modified following Council 
review at its March 2019 meeting.
--Humbug Mountain to Oregon/California Border (Oregon KMZ)
May 4-14, and 19-31;
June 4-12, and 16-30, or a 1,500 Chinook quota;
July 5-12, and 16-31, or a 2,000 Chinook quota;
August 3-7, 13-17, and 25-29, or a 500 Chinook quota; (C.9.a).

    Open seven days per week. All salmon except coho may be retained 
(C.4, C.7). Chinook minimum size limit of 28 inches total length (B, 
C.1). See compliance requirements (C.1) and gear

[[Page 19011]]

restrictions and definitions (C.2, C.3). Prior to June 1, all salmon 
caught in this area must be landed and delivered in the state of 
Oregon. June 4 through August 29 weekly landing and possession limit of 
50 Chinook per vessel per landing week (Thursday through Wednesday). 
Any remaining portion of a monthly Chinook quota may be transferred 
inseason on an impact neutral basis to the next open quota period 
(C.8.b). All vessels fishing in this area from June through August must 
land and deliver all salmon within this area or into Port Orford, 
within 24 hours of any closure of this fishery, and prior to fishing 
outside of this area. For all quota managed seasons, Oregon state 
regulations require fishers to notify ODFW within one hour of landing 
and prior to transport away from the port of landing by calling (541) 
867-0300 extension 252 or sending notification via email to 
[email protected], with vessel name and number, number of 
salmon by species, location of delivery, and estimated time of 
delivery. In 2019, the season will open March 15 for all salmon except 
coho. Chinook minimum size limit of 28 inches total length. Gear 
restrictions same as in 2018. This opening could be modified following 
Council review at its March 2019 meeting.
--Oregon/California Border to Humboldt South Jetty (California KMZ)
May 1 through the earlier of May 29, or a 3,600 Chinook quota;
June 1 through the earlier of June 30, or a 4,000 Chinook quota;
July 1 through the earlier of July 31, or a 4,000 Chinook quota;
August 3 through the earlier of August 31, or a 4,000 Chinook quota 
(C.9.b).

    Open five days per week (Friday through Tuesday). All salmon except 
coho may be retained (C.4, C.7). Chinook minimum size limit of 26 
inches total length (B, C.1). Landing and possession limit of 20 
Chinook per vessel per day (C.8.f). Any remaining portion of a monthly 
Chinook quota may be transferred inseason on an impact neutral basis to 
the next open quota period (C.8.g). See compliance requirements (C.1) 
and gear restrictions and definitions (C.2, C.3). All fish caught in 
this area must be landed within the area and within 24 hours of any 
closure of the fishery and prior to fishing outside the area (C.10). 
Klamath Control Zone closed (C.5.e). See California State regulations 
for additional closures adjacent to the Smith and Klamath Rivers.
--Humboldt South Jetty to Horse Mt.
Closed.

    For all commercial fisheries south of Cape Falcon: When the fishery 
is closed between the Oregon/California border and Humbug Mountain and 
open to the south, vessels with fish on board caught in the open area 
off California may seek temporary mooring in Brookings, OR, prior to 
landing in California, only if such vessels first notify the Chetco 
River Coast Guard Station via VHF channel 22A between the hours of 0500 
and 2200 and provide the vessel name, number of fish on board, and 
estimated time of arrival (C.6).
--Horse Mt. to Point Arena (Fort Bragg)
July 26-31;
August 3-29;
September 1-30 (C.9.b).

    Open seven days per week. All salmon except coho may be retained 
(C.4, C.7). Chinook minimum size limit of 26 inches total length (B, 
C.1). See compliance requirements (C.1) and gear restrictions and 
definitions (C.2, C.3). All salmon must be landed in California. All 
salmon caught in the area prior to September 1 must be landed and 
offloaded no later than 11:59 p.m., August 30 (C.6). When the 
California KMZ fishery is open, all fish caught in the area must be 
landed south of Horse Mountain until the California KMZ fishery has 
been closed for at least 24 hours (C.6). During September, all fish 
must be landed north of Point Arena (C.6). In 2019, the season will 
open April 16-30 for all salmon except coho, with a 27 inch Chinook 
minimum size limit and the same gear restrictions as in 2018. All 
salmon caught in the area must be landed in the area. This opening 
could be modified following Council review at its March 2019 meeting.
--Point Arena to Pigeon Point (San Francisco)
July 26-31;
August 3-29;
September 1-30 (C.9.b).

    Open seven days per week. All salmon except coho may be retained 
(C.4, C.7). Chinook minimum size limit of 26 inches total length (B, 
C.1). See compliance requirements (C.1) and gear restrictions and 
definitions (C.2, C.3). All salmon must be landed in California. All 
salmon caught in the area prior to September 1 must be landed and 
offloaded no later than 11:59 p.m., August 30 (C.6). When the 
California KMZ fishery is open, all fish caught in the area must be 
landed south of Horse Mountain until the California KMZ fishery has 
been closed for at least 24 hours (C.6). During September, all fish 
must be landed south of Point Arena (C.6).
--Point Reyes to Point San Pedro (Fall Area Target Zone)
October 1-5 and 8-12.

    Open five days per week, Monday through Friday. All salmon except 
coho may be retained (C.4, C.7). Chinook minimum size limit of 26 
inches total length (B, C.1). All salmon caught in this area must be 
landed between Point Arena and Pigeon Point (C.6). See compliance 
requirements (C.1) and gear restrictions and definitions (C.2, C.3).
--Pigeon Point to U.S./Mexico Border (Monterey)
May 1-7;
June 19-30 (C.9.b).

    Open seven days per week. All salmon except coho may be retained 
(C.4, C.7). Chinook minimum size limit of 26 inches total length (B, 
C.1). See compliance requirements (C.1) and gear restrictions and 
definitions (C.2, C.3). All fish must be landed in California. All 
salmon caught in the area must be landed and offloaded no later than 
11:59 p.m., July 15 (C.6). When the California KMZ fishery is open, all 
fish caught in the area must be landed south of Horse Mountain until 
the California KMZ fishery has been closed for at least 24 hours (C.6).
    For all commercial troll fisheries in California: California State 
regulations require all salmon be made available to a California 
Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) representative for sampling 
immediately at port of landing. Any person in possession of a salmon 
with a missing adipose fin, upon request by an authorized agent or 
employee of the CDFW, shall immediately relinquish the head of the 
salmon to the state (California Fish and Game Code Sec.  8226).

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

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          Chinook                          Coho
      Area  (when open)      ----------------------------------------------------------------        Pink
                               Total length      Head-off      Total length      Head-off
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
North of Cape Falcon, OR....            28.0            21.5              16              12  None.
Cape Falcon to Humbug                   28.0            21.5  ..............  ..............  None.
 Mountain.

[[Page 19012]]

 
Humbug Mountain to OR/CA                28.0            21.5  ..............  ..............  None.
 border.
OR/CA border to Humboldt                26.0            19.5  ..............  ..............  26.
 South Jetty.
Horse Mountain to Point                 26.0            19.5  ..............  ..............  26.
 Arena.
Point Arena to Pigeon Point.            26.0            19.5  ..............  ..............  26.
Pigeon Point to U.S./Mexico             26.0            19.5  ..............  ..............  26.
 border.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Metric equivalents: 28.0 in = 71.1 cm, 26.0 in = 66.0 cm, 21.5 in = 54.6 cm, 19.5 in = 49.5 cm, 16.0 in = 40.6
  cm, and 12.0 in = 30.5 cm.

C. Requirements, Definitions, Restrictions, or Exceptions

C.1. Compliance With Minimum Size or Other Special Restrictions
    All salmon on board a vessel must meet the minimum size, landing/
possession limit, or other special requirements for the area being 
fished and the area in which they are landed if the area is open or has 
been closed less than 48 hours for that species of salmon. Salmon may 
be landed in an area that has been closed for a species of salmon more 
than 48 hours only if they meet the minimum size, landing/possession 
limit, or other special requirements for the area in which they were 
caught. Salmon may not be filleted prior to landing.
    Any person who is required to report a salmon landing by applicable 
state law must include on the state landing receipt for that landing 
both the number and weight of salmon landed by species. States may 
require fish landing/receiving tickets be kept on board the vessel for 
90 days or more after landing to account for all previous salmon 
landings.
C.2. Gear Restrictions
    a. Salmon may be taken only by hook and line using single point, 
single shank, barbless hooks.
    b. Cape Falcon, Oregon, to the Oregon/California border: No more 
than 4 spreads are allowed per line.
    c. Oregon/California border to U.S./Mexico border: No more than 6 
lines are allowed per vessel, and barbless circle hooks are required 
when fishing with bait by any means other than trolling.
C.3. Gear Definitions
    Trolling defined: Fishing from a boat or floating device that is 
making way by means of a source of power, other than drifting by means 
of the prevailing water current or weather conditions.
    Troll fishing gear defined: One or more lines that drag hooks 
behind a moving fishing vessel engaged in trolling. In that portion of 
the fishery management area off Oregon and Washington, the line or 
lines must be affixed to the vessel and must not be intentionally 
disengaged from the vessel at any time during the fishing operation.
    Spread defined: A single leader connected to an individual lure 
and/or bait.
    Circle hook defined: A hook with a generally circular shape and a 
point which turns inward, pointing directly to the shank at a 90' 
angle.
C.4. Vessel Operation in Closed Areas With Salmon on Board
    a. Except as provided under C.4.b below, it is unlawful for a 
vessel to have troll or recreational gear in the water while in any 
area closed to fishing for a certain species of salmon, while 
possessing that species of salmon; however, fishing for species other 
than salmon is not prohibited if the area is open for such species, and 
no salmon are in possession.
    b. When Genetic Stock Identification (GSI) samples will be 
collected in an area closed to commercial salmon fishing, the 
scientific research permit holder shall notify NOAA Office of Law 
Enforcement, USCG, CDFW, WDFW, and Oregon State Police at least 24 
hours prior to sampling and provide the following information: The 
vessel name, date, location and time collection activities will be 
done. Any vessel collecting GSI samples in a closed area shall not 
possess any salmon other than those from which GSI samples are being 
collected. Salmon caught for collection of GSI samples must be 
immediately released in good condition after collection of samples.
C.5. Control Zone Definitions
    a. Cape Flattery Control Zone--The area from Cape Flattery 
(48[deg]23'00'' N lat.) to the northern boundary of the U.S. EEZ; and 
the area from Cape Flattery south to Cape Alava (48[deg]10'00'' N lat.) 
and east of 125[deg]05'00'' W long.
    b. Salmon Troll YRCA (50 CFR 660.70(c))--The area in Washington 
Marine Catch Area 3 from 48[deg]00.00' N lat.; 125[deg]14.00' W long. 
to 48[deg]02.00' N lat.; 125[deg]14.00' W long. to 48[deg]02.00' N 
lat.; 125[deg]16.50' W long. to 48[deg]00.00' N lat.; 125[deg]16.50' W 
long. and connecting back to 48[deg]00.00' N lat.; 125[deg]14.00' W 
long.
    c. Grays Harbor Control Zone--The area defined by a line drawn from 
the Westport Lighthouse (46[deg]53'18'' N lat., 124[deg]07'01'' W 
long.) to Buoy #2 (46[deg]52'42'' N lat., 124[deg]12'42'' W long.) to 
Buoy #3 (46[deg]55'00'' N lat., 124[deg]14'48'' W long.) to the Grays 
Harbor north jetty (46[deg]55'36'' N lat., 124[deg]10'51'' W long.).
    d. Columbia Control Zone--An area at the Columbia River mouth, 
bounded on the west by a line running northeast/southwest between the 
red lighted Buoy #4 (46[deg]13'35'' N lat., 124[deg]06'50'' W long.) 
and the green lighted Buoy #7 (46[deg]15'09'' N lat., 124[deg]06'16'' W 
long.); on the east, by the Buoy #10 line which bears north/south at 
357[deg] true from the south jetty at 46[deg]14'00'' N lat., 
124[deg]03'07'' W long. to its intersection with the north jetty; on 
the north, by a line running northeast/southwest between the red 
lighted Buoy #4 and tip of the south jetty (46[deg]14'03'' N lat., 
124[deg]04'05'' W long.), and then along the south jetty to the point 
of intersection with the Buoy #10 line.
    e. Klamath Control Zone--The ocean area at the Klamath River mouth 
bounded on the north by 41[deg]38'48'' N lat. (approximately 6 nautical 
miles north of the Klamath River mouth); on the west by 124[deg]23'00'' 
W long. (approximately 12 nautical miles off shore); and on the south 
by 41[deg]26'48'' N lat. (approximately 6 nautical miles south of the 
Klamath River mouth).
    f. Waypoints for the 40 fathom regulatory line from Cape Falcon to 
Humbug Mountain (50 CFR 660.71(k)).

(12) 45[deg]46.00' N lat., 124[deg]04.49' W long.;
(13) 45[deg]44.34' N lat., 124[deg]05.09' W long.;
(14) 45[deg]40.64' N lat., 124[deg]04.90' W long.;
(15) 45[deg]33.00' N lat., 124[deg]04.46' W long.;
(16) 45[deg]32.27' N lat., 124[deg]04.74' W long.;
(17) 45[deg]29.26' N lat., 124[deg]04.22' W long.;
(18) 45[deg]20.25' N lat., 124[deg]04.67' W long.;
(19) 45[deg]19.99' N lat., 124[deg]04.62' W long.;
(20) 45[deg]17.50' N lat., 124[deg]04.91' W long.;
(21) 45[deg]11.29' N lat., 124[deg]05.20' W long.;
(22) 45[deg]05.80' N lat., 124[deg]05.40' W long.;
(23) 45[deg]05.08' N lat., 124[deg]05.93' W long.;
(24) 45[deg]03.83' N lat., 124[deg]06.47' W long.;
(25) 45[deg]01.70' N lat., 124[deg]06.53' W long.;
(26) 44[deg]58.75' N lat., 124[deg]07.14' W long.;
(27) 44[deg]51.28' N lat., 124[deg]10.21' W long.;
(28) 44[deg]49.49' N lat., 124[deg]10.90' W long.;
(29) 44[deg]44.96' N lat., 124[deg]14.39' W long.;

[[Page 19013]]

(30) 44[deg]43.44' N lat., 124[deg]14.78' W long.;
(31) 44[deg]42.26' N lat., 124[deg]13.81' W long.;
(32) 44[deg]41.68' N lat., 124[deg]15.38' W long.;
(33) 44[deg]34.87' N lat., 124[deg]15.80' W long.;
(34) 44[deg]33.74' N lat., 124[deg]14.44' W long.;
(35) 44[deg]27.66' N lat., 124[deg]16.99' W long.;
(36) 44[deg]19.13' N lat., 124[deg]19.22' W long.;
(37) 44[deg]15.35' N lat., 124[deg]17.38' W long.;
(38) 44[deg]14.38' N lat., 124[deg]17.78' W long.;
(39) 44[deg]12.80' N lat., 124[deg]17.18' W long.;
(40) 44[deg]09.23' N lat., 124[deg]15.96' W long.;
(41) 44[deg]08.38' N lat., 124[deg]16.79' W long.;
(42) 44[deg]08.30' N lat., 124[deg]16.75' W long.;
(43) 44[deg]01.18' N lat., 124[deg]15.42' W long.;
(44) 43[deg]51.61' N lat., 124[deg]14.68' W long.;
(45) 43[deg]42.66' N lat., 124[deg]15.46' W long.;
(46) 43[deg]40.49' N lat., 124[deg]15.74' W long.;
(47) 43[deg]38.77' N lat., 124[deg]15.64' W long.;
(48) 43[deg]34.52' N lat., 124[deg]16.73' W long.;
(49) 43[deg]28.82' N lat., 124[deg]19.52' W long.;
(50) 43[deg]23.91' N lat., 124[deg]24.28' W long.;
(51) 43[deg]20.83' N lat., 124[deg]26.63' W long.;
(52) 43[deg]17.96' N lat., 124[deg]28.81' W long.;
(53) 43[deg]16.75' N lat., 124[deg]28.42' W long.;
(54) 43[deg]13.97' N lat., 124[deg]31.99' W long.;
(55) 43[deg]13.72' N lat., 124[deg]33.25' W long.;
(56) 43[deg]12.26' N lat., 124[deg]34.16' W long.;
(57) 43[deg]10.96' N lat., 124[deg]32.33' W long.;
(58) 43[deg]05.65' N lat., 124[deg]31.52' W long.;
(59) 42[deg]59.66' N lat., 124[deg]32.58' W long.;
(60) 42[deg]54.97' N lat., 124[deg]36.99' W long.;
(61) 42[deg]53.81' N lat., 124[deg]38.57' W long.;
(62) 42[deg]50.00' N lat., 124[deg]39.68' W long.;
(63) 42[deg]49.13' N lat., 124[deg]39.70' W long.;
(64) 42[deg]46.47' N lat., 124[deg]38.89' W long.;
(65) 42[deg]45.74' N lat., 124[deg]38.86' W long.;
(66) 42[deg]44.79' N lat., 124[deg]37.96' W long.;
(67) 42[deg]45.01' N lat., 124[deg]36.39' W long.;
(68) 42[deg]44.14' N lat., 124[deg]35.17' W long.;
(69) 42[deg]42.14' N lat., 124[deg]32.82' W long.;
(70) 42[deg]40.50' N lat., 124[deg]31.98' W long.
C.6. Notification When Unsafe Conditions Prevent Compliance With 
Regulations
    If prevented by unsafe weather conditions or mechanical problems 
from meeting special management area landing restrictions, vessels must 
notify the USCG and receive acknowledgment of such notification prior 
to leaving the area. This notification shall include the name of the 
vessel, port where delivery will be made, approximate number of salmon 
(by species) on board, the estimated time of arrival, and the specific 
reason the vessel is not able to meet special management area landing 
restrictions.
    In addition to contacting the USCG, vessels fishing south of the 
Oregon/California border must notify CDFW within one hour of leaving 
the management area by calling (800) 889-8346 and providing the same 
information as reported to the USCG. All salmon must be offloaded 
within 24 hours of reaching port.
C.7. Incidental Halibut Harvest
    During authorized periods, the operator of a vessel that has been 
issued an incidental halibut harvest license by the International 
Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) may retain Pacific halibut caught 
incidentally in Area 2A while trolling for salmon. Halibut retained 
must be no less than 32 inches in total length, measured from the tip 
of the lower jaw with the mouth closed to the extreme end of the middle 
of the tail, and must be landed with the head on. When halibut are 
caught and landed incidental to commercial salmon fishing by an IPHC 
license holder, any person who is required to report the salmon landing 
by applicable state law must include on the state landing receipt for 
that landing both the number of halibut landed, and the total dressed, 
head-on weight of halibut landed, in pounds, as well as the number and 
species of salmon landed.
    License applications for incidental harvest must be obtained from 
the IPHC (phone: 206-634-1838). Applicants must apply prior to mid-
March 2019 for 2019 permits (exact date to be set by the IPHC in early 
2019). Incidental harvest is authorized only during April, May, and 
June of the 2018 troll seasons and after June 30 in 2018 if quota 
remains and if announced on the NMFS hotline (phone: (800) 662-9825 or 
(206) 526-6667). WDFW, ODFW, and CDFW will monitor landings. If the 
landings are projected to exceed the IPHC's 35,620 pound preseason 
allocation or the total Area 2A non-Indian commercial halibut 
allocation, NMFS will take inseason action to prohibit retention of 
halibut in the non-Indian salmon troll fishery.
    May 1, 2018, until the end of the 2018 salmon troll season, and 
April 1-30, 2019, license holders may land or possess no more than one 
Pacific halibut per each two Chinook, except one Pacific halibut may be 
possessed or landed without meeting the ratio requirement, and no more 
than 25 halibut may be possessed or landed per trip. Pacific halibut 
retained must be no less than 32 inches in total length (with head on). 
IPHC license holders must comply with all applicable IPHC regulations.
    Incidental Pacific halibut catch regulations in the commercial 
salmon troll fishery adopted for 2018, prior to any 2018 inseason 
action, will be in effect when incidental Pacific halibut retention 
opens on April 1, 2019, unless otherwise modified by inseason action at 
the March 2019 Council meeting.
    a. ``C-shaped'' YRCA is an area to be voluntarily avoided for 
salmon trolling. NMFS and the Council request salmon trollers 
voluntarily avoid this area in order to protect yelloweye rockfish. The 
area is defined in the Pacific Council Halibut Catch Sharing Plan in 
the North Coast subarea (Washington marine area 3), with the following 
coordinates in the order listed:

48[deg]18' N lat.; 125[deg]18' W long.;
48[deg]18' N lat.; 124[deg]59' W long.;
48[deg]11' N lat.; 124[deg]59' W long.;
48[deg]11' N lat.; 125[deg]11' W long.;
48[deg]04' N lat.; 125[deg]11' W long.;
48[deg]04' N lat.; 124[deg]59' W long.;
48[deg]00' N lat.; 124[deg]59' W long.;
48[deg]00' N lat.; 125[deg]18' W long.;
and connecting back to
48[deg]18' N lat.; 125[deg]18' W long.
C.8. Inseason Management
    In addition to standard inseason actions or modifications already 
noted under the season description, the following inseason guidance 
applies:
    a. Chinook remaining from the May through June non-Indian 
commercial troll harvest guideline north of Cape Falcon may be 
transferred to the July through September harvest guideline if the 
transfer would not result in exceeding preseason impact expectations on 
any stocks.
    b. Chinook remaining from the June or July non-Indian commercial 
troll quotas in the Oregon KMZ may be transferred to the Chinook quota 
for the next open quota period if the transfer would not result in 
exceeding preseason impact expectations on any stocks.
    c. NMFS may transfer salmon between the recreational and commercial 
fisheries north of Cape Falcon if there is agreement among the areas' 
representatives on the Salmon Advisory Subpanel (SAS), and if the 
transfer would not result in exceeding preseason impact expectations on 
any stocks.
    d. At the March 2019 meeting, the Council will consider inseason 
recommendations for special regulations for any experimental fisheries 
(proposals must meet Council protocol and be received in November 
2018).
    e. If retention of unmarked coho (adipose fin intact) is permitted 
by inseason action, the allowable coho quota will be adjusted to ensure 
preseason projected impacts on all stocks is not exceeded.
    f. Landing limits may be modified inseason to sustain season length 
and keep harvest within overall quotas.
    g. Chinook remaining from the remaining May, June, and/or July non-
Indian commercial troll quotas in the California KMZ may be transferred 
to the Chinook quota for the next open period if the transfer would not 
result in exceeding preseason impact expectations on any stocks.
C.9. State Waters Fisheries
    Consistent with Council management objectives:

[[Page 19014]]

    a. The State of Oregon may establish additional late-season 
fisheries in state waters.
    b. The State of California may establish limited fisheries in 
selected state waters. Check state regulations for details.
C.10. For the Purposes of California Fish and Game Code, Section 
8232.5, the Definition of the KMZ for the Ocean Salmon Season Shall Be 
That Area From Humbug Mountain, Oregon, to Horse Mountain, California.

Section 2. Recreational Management Measures for 2018 Ocean Salmon 
Fisheries

    Parts A, B, and C of this section contain restrictions that must be 
followed for lawful participation in the fishery. Part A identifies 
each fishing area and provides the geographic boundaries from north to 
south, the open seasons for the area, the salmon species allowed to be 
caught during the seasons, and any other special restrictions effective 
in the area. Part B specifies minimum size limits. Part C specifies 
special requirements, definitions, restrictions and exceptions.

A. Season Description

North of Cape Falcon, OR
--U.S./Canada border to Cape Alava (Neah Bay Subarea)
    June 23 through earlier of September 3 or 4,370 marked coho subarea 
quota with a subarea guideline of 4,900 Chinook (C.5).
    Open seven days per week. All salmon may be retained, except no 
chum beginning August 1; two salmon per day, no more than one of which 
may be a Chinook. All coho must be marked with a healed adipose fin 
clip (C.1). Beginning August 1, Chinook non-retention east of the 
Bonilla-Tatoosh line (C.4.a) during Council managed ocean fishery. See 
gear restrictions and definitions (C.2, C.3).
--Cape Alava to Queets River (La Push Subarea)
    June 23 through earlier of September 3 or 1,090 marked coho subarea 
quota with a subarea guideline of 1,500 Chinook (C.5).
    Open seven days per week. All salmon may be retained, two salmon 
per day. All coho must be marked with a healed adipose fin clip (C.1). 
See gear restrictions and definitions (C.2, C.3).
--Queets River to Leadbetter Point (Westport Subarea)
    July 1 through earlier of September 3 or 15,540 marked coho subarea 
quota with a subarea guideline of 13,100 Chinook (C.5).
    Open five days per week (Sunday through Thursday). All salmon may 
be retained; two salmon per day, no more than one of which may be a 
Chinook. All coho must be marked with a healed adipose fin clip (C.1). 
See gear restrictions and definitions (C.2, C.3). Grays Harbor Control 
Zone closed beginning August 13 (C.4.b).
--Leadbetter Point to Cape Falcon (Columbia River Subarea)
    June 23 through earlier of September 3 or 21,000 marked coho 
subarea quota with a subarea guideline of 8,000 Chinook (C.5).
    Open seven days per week. All salmon may be retained; two salmon 
per day, no more than one of which may be a Chinook. All coho must be 
marked with a healed adipose fin clip (C.1). See gear restrictions and 
definitions (C.2, C.3). Columbia Control Zone closed (C.4.c).
    For all recreational fisheries north of Cape Falcon: Inseason 
management may be used to sustain season length and keep harvest within 
the overall Chinook and coho recreational TACs for north of Cape Falcon 
(C.5).

South of Cape Falcon, OR

--Cape Falcon to Humbug Mountain.
    March 15 through October 31 (C.6), except as provided below during 
the mark-selective coho fishery and the non-mark-selective coho fishery 
(C.5).
    Open seven days per week. All salmon except coho may be retained; 
two salmon per day (C.1). Chinook minimum size limit of 24 inches total 
length (B). See gear restrictions and definitions (C.2, C.3). October 
1-31: The fishery is only open shoreward of the 40 fathom management 
line.
    In 2019, the season will open March 15 for all salmon except coho; 
two salmon per day (C.1). Chinook minimum size limit of 24 inches total 
length (B); and the same gear restrictions as in 2018 (C.2, C.3). This 
opening could be modified following Council review at the March 2019 
Council meeting.
--Cape Falcon to Humbug Mountain
    Mark-selective coho fishery: June 30 through the earlier of 
September 3, or a landed catch of 35,000 marked coho (C.6). Open seven 
days per week. All salmon may be retained, except all retained coho 
must be marked with a healed adipose fin clip, two salmon per day 
(C.1). See minimum size limits (B). See gear restrictions and 
definitions (C.2, C.3, C.5.e).
    Non-mark-selective coho fishery: September 7-8, and each Friday 
through Saturday thereafter through the earlier of September 29 or a 
landed catch of a 3,500 non-mark-selective coho quota (C.6). Open days 
may be modified inseason. All salmon may be retained, two salmon per 
day (C.1). See minimum size limits (B). See gear restrictions and 
definitions (C.2, C.3).
--Humbug Mountain to Oregon/California border (Oregon KMZ)
    May 19-August 26 (C.6).

    Open seven days per week. All salmon except coho may be retained, 
two salmon per day (C.1). Chinook minimum size limit of 24 inches total 
length (B). See gear restrictions and definitions (C.2, C.3).
    For recreational fisheries from Cape Falcon to Humbug Mountain: 
Fishing in the Stonewall Bank YRCA restricted to trolling only on days 
the all depth recreational halibut fishery is open (call the halibut 
fishing hotline (800) 662-9825 for specific dates) (C.3.b, C.4.d).
--Oregon/California Border to Horse Mountain (California KMZ)
    June 1-September 3 (C.6).

    Open seven days per week. All salmon except coho may be retained, 
two salmon per day (C.1). Chinook minimum size limit of 20 inches total 
length (B). See gear restrictions and definitions (C.2, C.3). Klamath 
Control Zone closed in August (C.4.e). See California State regulations 
for additional closures adjacent to the Smith, Eel, and Klamath Rivers.
--Horse Mountain to Point Arena (Fort Bragg)
June 17-October 31 (C.6).

    Open seven days per week. All salmon except coho may be retained; 
two salmon per day (C.1). Chinook minimum size limit of 20 inches total 
length (B). See gear restrictions and definitions (C.2, C.3).
    In 2019, season opens April 6 for all salmon except coho, two 
salmon per day (C.1). Chinook minimum size limit of 20 inches total 
length (B); and the same gear restrictions as in 2018 (C.2, C.3). This 
opening could be modified following Council review at the March 2019 
Council meeting.
--Point Arena to Pigeon Point (San Francisco)
June 17-October 31 (C.6).

    Open seven days per week. All salmon except coho may be retained, 
two salmon per day (C.1). Chinook minimum size limit of 20 inches total 
length (B). See gear restrictions and definitions (C.2, C.3).

[[Page 19015]]

    In 2019, season opens April 6 for all salmon except coho; two 
salmon per day (C.1). Chinook minimum size limit of 24 inches total 
length (B); and the same gear restrictions as in 2018 (C.2, C.3). This 
opening could be modified following Council review at the March 2019 
Council meeting.
--Pigeon Point to U.S./Mexico border (Monterey)
April 7-July 2 (C.6).

    Open seven days per week. All salmon except coho may be retained; 
two salmon per day (C.1). Chinook minimum size limit of 24 inches total 
length (B). See gear restrictions and definitions (C.2, C.3).
    In 2019, season opens April 6 for all salmon except coho; two 
salmon per day (C.1). Chinook minimum size limit of 24 inches total 
length (B); and the same gear restrictions as in 2018 (C.2, C.3). This 
opening could be modified following Council review at the March 2019 
Council meeting.
    California State regulations require all salmon be made available 
to a CDFW representative for sampling immediately at port of landing. 
Any person in possession of a salmon with a missing adipose fin, upon 
request by an authorized agent or employee of the CDFW, shall 
immediately relinquish the head of the salmon to the state (California 
Code of Regulations Title 14 Section 1.73).

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

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

C. Requirements, Definitions, Restrictions, or Exceptions

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

[[Page 19016]]

intersection with the Buoy #10 line; and on the south, by a line 
running northeast/southwest between the red lighted Buoy #4 and tip of 
the south jetty (46[deg]14'03'' N lat., 124[deg]04'05'' W long.), and 
then along the south jetty to the point of intersection with the Buoy 
#10 line.
    d. Stonewall Bank YRCA: The area defined by the following 
coordinates in the order listed:

44[deg]37.46' N lat.; 124[deg]24.92' W long.
44[deg]37.46' N lat.; 124[deg]23.63' W long.
44[deg]28.71' N lat.; 124[deg]21.80' W long.
44[deg]28.71' N lat.; 124[deg]24.10' W long.
44[deg]31.42' N lat.; 124[deg]25.47' W long.
and connecting back to 44[deg]37.46' N lat.; 124[deg]24.92' W long.

    e. Klamath Control Zone: The ocean area at the Klamath River mouth 
bounded on the north by 41[deg]38'48'' N lat. (approximately 6 nautical 
miles north of the Klamath River mouth); on the west by 124[deg]23'00'' 
W long. (approximately 12 nautical miles off shore); and, on the south 
by 41[deg]26'48'' N lat. (approximately 6 nautical miles south of the 
Klamath River mouth).
    f. Waypoints for the 40 fathom regulatory line from Cape Falcon to 
Humbug Mountain (50 CFR 660.71(k)).

(12) 45[deg]46.00' N lat., 124[deg]04.49' W long.;
(13) 45[deg]44.34' N lat., 124[deg]05.09' W long.;
(14) 45[deg]40.64' N lat., 124[deg]04.90' W long.;
(15) 45[deg]33.00' N lat., 124[deg]04.46' W long.;
(16) 45[deg]32.27' N lat., 124[deg]04.74' W long.;
(17) 45[deg]29.26' N lat., 124[deg]04.22' W long.;
(18) 45[deg]20.25' N lat., 124[deg]04.67' W long.;
(19) 45[deg]19.99' N lat., 124[deg]04.62' W long.;
(20) 45[deg]17.50' N lat., 124[deg]04.91' W long.;
(21) 45[deg]11.29' N lat., 124[deg]05.20' W long.;
(22) 45[deg]05.80' N lat., 124[deg]05.40' W long.;
(23) 45[deg]05.08' N lat., 124[deg]05.93' W long.;
(24) 45[deg]03.83' N lat., 124[deg]06.47' W long.;
(25) 45[deg]01.70' N lat., 124[deg]06.53' W long.;
(26) 44[deg]58.75' N lat., 124[deg]07.14' W long.;
(27) 44[deg]51.28' N lat., 124[deg]10.21' W long.;
(28) 44[deg]49.49' N lat., 124[deg]10.90' W long.;
(29) 44[deg]44.96' N lat., 124[deg]14.39' W long.;
(30) 44[deg]43.44' N lat., 124[deg]14.78' W long.;
(31) 44[deg]42.26' N lat., 124[deg]13.81' W long.;
(32) 44[deg]41.68' N lat., 124[deg]15.38' W long.;
(33) 44[deg]34.87' N lat., 124[deg]15.80' W long.;
(34) 44[deg]33.74' N lat., 124[deg]14.44' W long.;
(35) 44[deg]27.66' N lat., 124[deg]16.99' W long.;
(36) 44[deg]19.13' N lat., 124[deg]19.22' W long.;
(37) 44[deg]15.35' N lat., 124[deg]17.38' W long.;
(38) 44[deg]14.38' N lat., 124[deg]17.78' W long.;
(39) 44[deg]12.80' N lat., 124[deg]17.18' W long.;
(40) 44[deg]09.23' N lat., 124[deg]15.96' W long.;
(41) 44[deg]08.38' N lat., 124[deg]16.79' W long.;
(42) 44[deg]08.30' N lat., 124[deg]16.75' W long.;
(43) 44[deg]01.18' N lat., 124[deg]15.42' W long.;
(44) 43[deg]51.61' N lat., 124[deg]14.68' W long.;
(45) 43[deg]42.66' N lat., 124[deg]15.46' W long.;
(46) 43[deg]40.49' N lat., 124[deg]15.74' W long.;
(47) 43[deg]38.77' N lat., 124[deg]15.64' W long.;
(48) 43[deg]34.52' N lat., 124[deg]16.73' W long.;
(49) 43[deg]28.82' N lat., 124[deg]19.52' W long.;
(50) 43[deg]23.91' N lat., 124[deg]24.28' W long.;
(51) 43[deg]20.83' N lat., 124[deg]26.63' W long.;
(52) 43[deg]17.96' N lat., 124[deg]28.81' W long.;
(53) 43[deg]16.75' N lat., 124[deg]28.42' W long.;
(54) 43[deg]13.97' N lat., 124[deg]31.99' W long.;
(55) 43[deg]13.72' N lat., 124[deg]33.25' W long.;
(56) 43[deg]12.26' N lat., 124[deg]34.16' W long.;
(57) 43[deg]10.96' N lat., 124[deg]32.33' W long.;
(58) 43[deg]05.65' N lat., 124[deg]31.52' W long.;
(59) 42[deg]59.66' N lat., 124[deg]32.58' W long.;
(60) 42[deg]54.97' N lat., 124[deg]36.99' W long.;
(61) 42[deg]53.81' N lat., 124[deg]38.57' W long.;
(62) 42[deg]50.00' N lat., 124[deg]39.68' W long.;
(63) 42[deg]49.13' N lat., 124[deg]39.70' W long.;
(64) 42[deg]46.47' N lat., 124[deg]38.89' W long.;
(65) 42[deg]45.74' N lat., 124[deg]38.86' W long.;
(66) 42[deg]44.79' N lat., 124[deg]37.96' W long.;
(67) 42[deg]45.01' N lat., 124[deg]36.39' W long.;
(68) 42[deg]44.14' N lat., 124[deg]35.17' W long.;
(69) 42[deg]42.14' N lat., 124[deg]32.82' W long.;
(70) 42[deg]40.50' N lat., 124[deg]31.98' W long.
C.5. Inseason Management
    Regulatory modifications may become necessary inseason to meet 
preseason management objectives such as quotas, harvest guidelines, and 
season duration. In addition to standard inseason actions or 
modifications already noted under the season description, the following 
inseason guidance applies:
    a. Actions could include modifications to bag limits, or days open 
to fishing, or extensions or reductions in areas open to fishing.
    b. Coho may be transferred inseason among recreational subareas 
north of Cape Falcon to help meet the recreational season duration 
objectives (for each subarea) after conferring with representatives of 
the affected ports and the Council's SAS recreational representatives 
north of Cape Falcon, and if the transfer would not result in exceeding 
preseason impact expectations on any stocks.
    c. Chinook and coho may be transferred between the recreational and 
commercial fisheries north of Cape Falcon if there is agreement among 
the representatives of the SAS, and if the transfer would not result in 
exceeding preseason impact expectations on any stocks.
    d. Fishery managers may consider inseason action modifying 
regulations restricting retention of unmarked (adipose fin intact) 
coho. To remain consistent with preseason expectations, any inseason 
action shall consider, if significant, the difference between observed 
and preseason forecasted (adipose-clipped) mark rates. Such a 
consideration may also include a change in bag limit of two salmon, no 
more than one of which may be a coho.
    e. Marked coho remaining from the Cape Falcon to Humbug Mountain 
recreational mark-selective coho quota may be transferred inseason to 
the Cape Falcon to Humbug Mountain non-mark-selective recreational 
fishery if the transfer would not result in exceeding preseason impact 
expectations on any stocks.
C.6. Additional Seasons in State Territorial Waters
    Consistent with Council management objectives, the States of 
Washington, Oregon, and California may establish limited seasons in 
state waters. Check state regulations for details.

Section 3. Treaty Indian Management Measures for 2018 Ocean Salmon 
Fisheries

    Parts A, B, and C of this section contain requirements that must be 
followed for lawful participation in the fishery.

A. Season Descriptions

    May 1 through the earlier of June 30 or 16,000 Chinook quota.
    All salmon may be retained except coho. If the Chinook quota is 
exceeded, the excess will be deducted from the later all-salmon season 
(C.5). See size limit (B) and other restrictions (C).
    July 1 through the earlier of September 15, or 24,000 Chinook quota 
(C.5), or 12,500 coho quota.
    All salmon. See size limit (B) and other restrictions (C).

B. Minimum Size (Inches)

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


[[Page 19017]]

C. Requirements, Restrictions, and Exceptions

C.1. Tribe and Area Boundaries
    All boundaries may be changed to include such other areas as may 
hereafter be authorized by a Federal court for that tribe's treaty 
fishery.
    S'KLALLAM--Washington State Statistical Area 4B (defined to include 
those waters of Puget Sound easterly of a line projected from the 
Bonilla Point Light on Vancouver Island to the Tatoosh Island light, 
thence to the most westerly point on Cape Flattery and westerly of a 
line projected true north from the fishing boundary marker at the mouth 
of the Sekiu River [WAC 220-301-030]).
    MAKAH--Washington State Statistical Area 4B and that portion of the 
fishery management area (FMA) north of 48[deg]02'15'' N lat. (Norwegian 
Memorial) and east of 125[deg]44'00'' W long.
    QUILEUTE--A polygon commencing at Cape Alava, located at latitude 
48[deg]10'00'' north, longitude 124[deg]43'56.9'' west; then proceeding 
west approximately forty nautical miles at that latitude to a 
northwestern point located at latitude 48[deg]10'00'' north, longitude 
125[deg]44'00'' west; then proceeding in a southeasterly direction 
mirroring the coastline at a distance no farther than 40 nmi from the 
mainland Pacific coast shoreline at any line of latitude, to a 
southwestern point at latitude 47[deg]31'42'' north, longitude 
125[deg]20'26'' west; then proceeding east along that line of latitude 
to the Pacific coast shoreline at latitude 47[deg]31'42'' north, 
longitude 124[deg]21'9.0'' west (per court order dated March 5, 2018, 
Federal District Court for the Western District of Washington).
    HOH--That portion of the FMA between 47[deg]54'18'' N lat. 
(Quillayute River) and 47[deg]21'00'' N lat. (Quinault River) and east 
of 125[deg]44'00'' W long.
    QUINAULT--A polygon commencing at the Pacific coast shoreline near 
Destruction Island, located at latitude 47[deg]40'06'' north, longitude 
124[deg]23'51.362'' west; then proceeding west approximately 30 nmi at 
that latitude to a northwestern point located at latitude 
47[deg]40'06'' north, longitude 125[deg]08'30'' west; then proceeding 
in a southeasterly direction mirroring the coastline no farther than 30 
nmi from the mainland Pacific coast shoreline at any line of latitude 
southwestern point at latitude 46[deg]53'18'' north, longitude 
124[deg]53'53'' west; then proceeding east along that line of latitude 
to the Pacific coast shoreline at latitude 46[deg]53'18'' north, 
longitude 124[deg]7'36.6'' west (per court order dated March 5, 2018, 
Federal District Court for the Western District of Washington).
C.2. Gear Restrictions
    a. Single point, single shank, barbless hooks are required in all 
fisheries.
    b. No more than eight fixed lines per boat.
    c. No more than four hand held lines per person in the Makah area 
fishery (Washington State Statistical Area 4B and that portion of the 
FMA north of 48[deg]02'15'' N lat. (Norwegian Memorial) and east of 
125[deg]44'00'' W long.).
C.3. Quotas
    a. The quotas include troll catches by the S'Klallam and Makah 
tribes in Washington State Statistical Area 4B from May 1 through 
September 15.
    b. The Quileute Tribe will continue a ceremonial and subsistence 
fishery during the time frame of October 1 through October 15 in the 
same manner as in 2004-2015. Fish taken during this fishery are to be 
counted against treaty troll quotas established for the 2018 season 
(estimated harvest during the October ceremonial and subsistence 
fishery: 20 Chinook; 40 coho).
C.4. Area Closures
    a. The area within a six nautical mile radius of the mouths of the 
Queets River (47[deg]31'42'' N lat.) and the Hoh River (47[deg]45'12'' 
N lat.) will be closed to commercial fishing.
    b. A closure within two nautical miles of the mouth of the Quinault 
River (47[deg]21'00'' N lat.) may be enacted by the Quinault Nation 
and/or the State of Washington and will not adversely affect the 
Secretary of Commerce's management regime.
C.5. Inseason Management
    In addition to standard inseason actions or modifications already 
noted under the season description, the following inseason guidance 
applies:
    a. Chinook remaining from the May through June treaty-Indian ocean 
troll harvest guideline north of Cape Falcon may be transferred to the 
July through September harvest guideline on a fishery impact equivalent 
basis.

Section 4. Halibut Retention

    Under the authority of the Northern Pacific Halibut Act, NMFS 
promulgated regulations governing the Pacific halibut fishery, which 
appear at 50 CFR part 300, subpart E. On March 9, 2018, NMFS published 
a final rule announcing the IPHC's regulations, including season dates, 
management measures, and Catch Sharing Plans for the U.S. waters off of 
Alaska (83 FR 10390). On March 26, 2018, NMFS published an interim 
final rule implementing Area 2A (U.S. West Coast) catch limits (83 FR 
13080) and a separate final rule approving and implementing the Area 2A 
Pacific halibut Catch Sharing Plan and management measures for 2018 (83 
FR 13090). The Area 2A Catch Sharing Plan, in combination with the IPHC 
regulations, provides that vessels participating in the salmon troll 
fishery in Area 2A, which have obtained the appropriate IPHC license, 
may retain halibut caught incidentally during authorized periods in 
conformance with provisions published with the annual salmon management 
measures. A salmon troller may participate in the halibut incidental 
catch fishery during the salmon troll season or in the directed 
commercial fishery targeting halibut, but not both.
    The following measures have been approved by the IPHC, and 
implemented by NMFS. During authorized periods, the operator of a 
vessel that has been issued an incidental halibut harvest license may 
retain Pacific halibut caught incidentally in Area 2A while trolling 
for salmon. Halibut retained must be no less than 32 inches (81.28 cm) 
in total length, measured from the tip of the lower jaw with the mouth 
closed to the extreme end of the middle of the tail, and must be landed 
with the head on.
    License applications for incidental harvest must be obtained from 
the IPHC (phone: 206-634-1838). Applicants must apply prior to mid-
March 2019 for 2019 permits (exact date to be set by the IPHC in early 
2019). Incidental harvest is authorized only during April, May, and 
June of the 2018 troll seasons and after June 30 in 2018 if quota 
remains and if announced on the NMFS hotline (phone: (800) 662-9825 or 
(206) 526-6667). WDFW, ODFW, and CDFW will monitor landings. If the 
landings are projected to exceed the 35,620 pound preseason allocation 
or the total Area 2A non-Indian commercial halibut allocation, NMFS 
will take inseason action to prohibit retention of halibut in the non-
Indian salmon troll fishery.
    May 1, 2018, through December 31, 2018, and April 1-30, 2019, 
license holders may land or possess no more than one Pacific halibut 
per each two Chinook, except one Pacific halibut may be possessed or 
landed without meeting the ratio requirement, and no more than 35 
halibut may be possessed or landed per trip. Pacific halibut retained 
must be no less than 32 inches in total length (with head on). IPHC 
license holders must comply with all applicable IPHC regulations.

[[Page 19018]]

    Incidental Pacific halibut catch regulations in the commercial 
salmon troll fishery adopted for 2018, prior to any 2018 inseason 
action, will be in effect when incidental Pacific halibut retention 
opens on April 1, 2019, unless otherwise modified by inseason action at 
the March 2019 Council meeting.
    NMFS and the Council request that salmon trollers voluntarily avoid 
a ``C-shaped'' YRCA (also known as the Salmon Troll YRCA) in order to 
protect yelloweye rockfish. Coordinates for the Salmon Troll YRCA are 
defined at 50 CFR 660.70(a) in the North Coast subarea (Washington 
marine area 3). See Section 1.C.7 in this document for the coordinates.

Section 5. Geographical Landmarks

    Wherever the words ``nautical miles off shore'' are used in this 
document, the distance is measured from the baseline from which the 
territorial sea is measured.
    Geographical landmarks referenced in this document are at the 
following locations:

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

Section 6. Inseason Notice Procedures

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

Classification

    This final rule is necessary for conservation and management of 
Pacific coast salmon stocks and is consistent with the MSA and other 
applicable law. These regulations are being promulgated under the 
authority of 16 U.S.C. 1855(d) and 16 U.S.C. 773(c).
    This final rule has been determined to be not significant for 
purposes of Executive Order 12866.
    The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries finds good cause under 5 
U.S.C. 553(b)(B), to waive the requirement for prior notice and 
opportunity for public comment, as such procedures would be 
impracticable and contrary to the public interest.
    The annual salmon management cycle begins May 1 and continues 
through April 30 of the following year. May 1 was chosen because the 
pre-May harvests constitute a relatively small portion of the annual 
catch. The time frame of the preseason process for determining the 
annual modifications to ocean salmon fishery management measures 
depends on when the pertinent biological data are available. Salmon 
stocks are managed to meet annual spawning escapement goals or specific 
exploitation rates. Achieving either of these objectives requires 
designing management measures that are appropriate for the ocean 
abundance predicted for that year. These pre-season abundance 
forecasts, which are derived from previous years' observed spawning 
escapement, vary substantially from year to year, and are not available 
until January or February because spawning escapement continues through 
the fall.
    The preseason planning and public review process associated with 
developing Council recommendations is initiated in February as soon as 
the forecast information becomes available. The public planning process 
requires coordination of management actions of four states, numerous 
Indian tribes, and the Federal Government, all of which have management 
authority over the stocks. This complex process includes the affected 
user groups, as well as the general public. The process is compressed 
into a two-month period culminating with the April Council meeting at 
which the Council adopts a recommendation that is forwarded to NMFS for 
review, approval, and implementation of fishing regulations effective 
on May 1.
    Providing opportunity for prior notice and public comments on the 
Council's recommended measures through a proposed and final rulemaking 
process would require 30 to 60 days in addition to the two-month period 
required for development of the regulations. Delaying implementation of 
annual fishing regulations, which are based on the current stock 
abundance projections, for an additional 60 days would require that 
fishing regulations for May and June be set in the previous year, 
without the benefit of information regarding current stock abundance. 
For the 2018 fishing regulations, the current stock abundance was not 
available to the Council until February. Because a substantial amount 
of fishing occurs during May and June, managing the fishery with 
measures developed using the prior year's data could have significant 
adverse effects on the managed stocks, including ESA-listed stocks. 
Although salmon fisheries that open prior to May are managed under the 
prior year's measures, as modified by the Council at its March meeting, 
relatively little harvest occurs during that period (e.g., on average, 
less than 5 percent of commercial and recreational harvest occurred 
prior to May 1 during the years 2001 through 2017). Allowing the much 
more substantial harvest levels normally associated with the May and 
June salmon seasons to be promulgated under the prior year's 
regulations would impair NMFS' ability to protect weak and ESA-listed 
salmon stocks, and to provide harvest opportunity where appropriate. 
The choice of May 1 as the beginning of the regulatory season balances 
the need to gather and analyze the data needed to meet the management 
objectives of the Salmon FMP and the need to manage the fishery using 
the best available scientific information.
    If these measures are not in place on May 1, salmon fisheries will 
not open as scheduled, or would open based on 2017 management measures 
which do not account for 2018 abundance projections without inseason 
action by NMFS. This would result in lost fishing opportunity, negative 
economic impacts, potential harm to stocks at low abundance and ESA-
listed stocks, and confusion for the public as the state fisheries 
adopt concurrent regulations that conform to the Federal management 
measures.
    Overall, the annual population dynamics of the various salmon 
stocks require managers to adjust the season structure of the West 
Coast salmon fisheries to both protect weaker stocks and give fishers 
access to stronger salmon stocks, particularly hatchery produced fish. 
Failure to implement these measures immediately could compromise the 
status of certain stocks, or result in foregone opportunity to harvest 
stocks whose abundance has increased relative to the previous year

[[Page 19019]]

thereby undermining the purpose of this agency action.
    In addition, these measures were developed with significant public 
input. Public comment was received and considered by the Council and 
NMFS throughout the process of developing these management measures. As 
described above, the Council took comment at its March and April 
meetings, and heard summaries of comments received at public meetings 
held between the March and April meetings in each of the coastal 
states. NMFS also invited comments in a notice published prior to the 
March Council meeting, and considered comments received by the Council 
through its representative on the Council.
    Based upon the above-described need to have these measures 
effective on May 1 and the fact that there is limited time available to 
implement these new measures after the final Council meeting in April 
and before the commencement of the ocean salmon fishing year on May 1, 
NMFS has concluded it is impracticable and contrary to the public 
interest to provide an opportunity for prior notice and public comment 
under 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B).
    The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries also finds that good 
cause exists under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3), to waive the 30-day delay in 
effectiveness of this final rule. As previously discussed, data were 
not available until February and management measures were not finalized 
until mid-April. These measures are essential to conserve threatened 
and endangered ocean salmon stocks as well as potentially overfished 
stocks, and to provide for harvest of more abundant stocks. Delaying 
the effectiveness of these measures by 30 days could compromise the 
ability of some stocks to attain their conservation objectives, 
preclude harvest opportunity, and negatively impact anticipated 
international, state, and tribal salmon fisheries, thereby undermining 
the purposes of this agency action and the requirements of the MSA.
    To enhance the fishing industry's notification of these new 
measures, and to minimize the burden on the regulated community 
required to comply with the new regulations, NMFS is announcing the new 
measures over the telephone hotline used for inseason management 
actions and is posting the regulations on its West Coast Region website 
(https://www.westcoast.fisheries.noaa.gov). NMFS is also advising the 
states of Washington, Oregon, and California on the new management 
measures. These states announce the seasons for applicable state and 
Federal fisheries through their own public notification systems.
    Because prior notice and an opportunity for public comment are not 
required to be provided for this rule by 5 U.S.C. 553, or any other 
law, the analytical requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 
U.S.C. 601 et seq., are not applicable. Accordingly, no Regulatory 
Flexibility Analysis is required for this rule and none has been 
prepared.
    This action contains collection-of-information requirements subject 
to the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA), and which have been approved by 
the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under control number 0648-
0433. The current information collection approval expires on August 30, 
2020. The public reporting burden for providing notifications if 
landing area restrictions cannot be met is estimated to average 15 
minutes per response. This estimate includes the time for reviewing 
instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and 
maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the 
collection of information.
    Notwithstanding any other provision of the law, no person is 
required to respond to, nor shall any person be subject to a penalty 
for failure to comply with, a collection of information subject to the 
requirements of the PRA, unless that collection of information displays 
a currently valid OMB control number.
    NMFS has current ESA biological opinions that cover fishing under 
these regulations on all listed salmon species. NMFS provided guidance 
on the impact limits for all ESA-listed salmon and steelhead species, 
given annual abundance projections, in our annual guidance letter to 
the Council dated March 6, 2018, but noted that further guidance might 
be provided at the April meeting that would account for the year 
specific circumstances. NMFS did provide an update to its guidance at 
the April meeting for six Puget Sound management units. The management 
measures for 2018 are consistent with the biological opinions. The 
Council's recommended management measures therefore have been 
determined not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of any 
listed salmon species which may be affected by Council fisheries. In 
some cases, the recommended measures are more restrictive than 
necessary for ESA compliance.
    NMFS consulted on the effects of the ocean salmon fisheries on the 
ESA-listed Southern Resident killer whale (SRKW) distinct population 
segment in 2009. NMFS considered conservative scenarios of prey 
abundance, diet composition and prey selectivity to evaluate effects of 
fishery-related prey reduction on SRKW and considered factors such as 
the limited overlap of Council area fisheries and the whales. Based on 
that information, NMFS concluded in the 2009 opinion that the salmon 
fisheries were not likely to jeopardize SRKW. More recent information 
regarding coastal diet and selectivity of the whales indicates that the 
most conservative scenarios are not the most likely this upcoming 
season and therefore, the effects of the 2018 fisheries are consistent 
with the 2009 biological opinion. In addition, quotas for Chinook 
salmon in fisheries north of Cape Falcon in particular are reduced from 
those in 2017 and other recent years in order to meet management 
objectives. As mentioned above, impacts from the Council's recommended 
2018 fisheries to ESA-listed salmonids, including Chinook salmon are 
consistent with the applicable opinions for those ESUs.
    This final rule was developed after meaningful and collaboration 
with the affected tribes. The tribal representative on the Council made 
the motion for the regulations that apply to the tribal fisheries.

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

    Dated: April 26, 2018.
Samuel D. Rauch III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-09164 Filed 4-30-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P