Fisheries Off West Coast States; Modification of the West Coast Salmon Fisheries; Inseason Actions #32 Through #35, 53530-53532 [2024-14113]
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Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 124 / Thursday, June 27, 2024 / Rules and Regulations
be submitted within 24 hours of
landing.
—Point Arena to Pigeon Point (San
Francisco)
Closed in 2024.
In 2025, the season opens May 1 for
all salmon except coho salmon. Chinook
salmon minimum size limit of 27 inches
(68.5 cm) total length). Gear restrictions
same as in 2022. Harvest guidelines and
vessel-based landing and possession
limits may be considered inseason.
Inseason action to close fisheries,
modify season dates, or modify vesselbased landing and possession limits
may be considered when total
commercial harvest in this management
area is approaching its harvest
guideline. Electronic Fish Tickets must
be submitted within 24 hours of
landing.
—Pigeon Point to the U.S./Mexico
border (Monterey)
Closed in 2024.
In 2025, the season opens May 1 for
all salmon except coho salmon. Chinook
salmon minimum size limit of 27 inches
(68.5 cm) total length. Gear restrictions
same as in 2022. Harvest guidelines and
vessel-based landing and possession
limits may be considered inseason.
Inseason action to close fisheries,
modify season dates, or modify vesselbased landing and possession limits
may be considered when total
commercial harvest in this management
area is approaching its harvest
guideline. Electronic Fish Tickets must
be submitted within 24 hours of
landing.
On page 44562, in the third column,
the description of the recreational ocean
salmon fishery in the area from the
Oregon/California border to the U.S./
Mexico border is correct to read as
follows:
—Oregon/California border to latitude
40°10′ N (California KMZ)
Closed in 2024.
In 2025, the season opens April 5 for
all salmon except coho salmon, two
salmon per day. Chinook salmon
minimum size limit of 20 inches (50.8
cm) total length. Gear restrictions same
as in 2022. Harvest guidelines and bag
limits may be considered inseason.
Inseason action to close fisheries,
modify season dates, or modify the bag
limit may be considered when total
sport harvest is approaching a harvest
guideline.
—Latitude 40°10′ N to Point Arena (Fort
Bragg)
Closed in 2024.
In 2025, the season opens April 5 for
all salmon except coho salmon, two
salmon per day. Chinook salmon
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minimum size limit of 20 inches (50.8
cm) total length. Gear restrictions same
as in 2022. Harvest guidelines and bag
limits may be considered inseason.
Inseason action to close fisheries,
modify season dates, or modify the bag
limit may be considered when total
sport harvest is approaching a harvest
guideline.
—Point Arena to Pigeon Point (San
Francisco)
Closed in 2024.
In 2025, the season opens April 5 for
all salmon except coho salmon, two
salmon per day. Chinook salmon
minimum size limit of 24 inches (61.0
cm) total length. Gear restrictions same
as in 2022. Harvest guidelines and bag
limits may be considered inseason.
Inseason action to close fisheries,
modify season dates, or modify the bag
limit may be considered when total
sport harvest is approaching a harvest
guideline.
—Pigeon Point to U.S./Mexico border
(Monterey)
Closed in 2024.
In 2025, the season opens April 5 for
all salmon except coho salmon, two
salmon per day. Chinook salmon
minimum size limit of 24 inches (61.0
cm) total length. Gear restrictions same
as in 2022. Harvest guidelines and bag
limits may be considered inseason.
Inseason action to close fisheries,
modify season dates, or modify the bag
limit may be considered when total
sport harvest is approaching a harvest
guideline.
Dated: June 21, 2024.
Samuel D. Rauch III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for
Regulatory Programs, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2024–14063 Filed 6–26–24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
50 CFR Part 660
[Docket No. 230508–0124; RTID 0648–
XD952]
Fisheries Off West Coast States;
Modification of the West Coast Salmon
Fisheries; Inseason Actions #32
Through #35
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
AGENCY:
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Inseason modification of 2023–
2024 management measures.
ACTION:
NMFS announces four
inseason actions for the 2024 portion of
the 2023–2024 ocean salmon fisheries.
These inseason actions modify the
recreational and commercial salmon
fisheries in the area from the United
States/Canada border to the United
States/Mexico border.
DATES: The effective dates for these
inseason actions are set out in this
document under the heading ‘‘Inseason
Actions’’ and the actions remain in
effect until superseded or modified.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Shannon Penna, 562–980–4239,
Shannon.Penna@noaa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
SUMMARY:
Background
The annual management measures for
the 2023–2024 ocean salmon fisheries
(88 FR 30235, May 11, 2023) govern the
commercial and recreational fisheries in
the area from the United States/Canada
border to the United States/Mexico
border, effective from 0001 hours Pacific
Daylight Time (PDT), May 16, 2023,
until the effective date of the 2024–2025
management measures, as published in
the Federal Register. These measures
include early season fisheries in March
through mid-May of 2024 that may be
adjusted through inseason action when
abundance forecasts for 2024 salmon
returns become available. NMFS is
authorized to implement inseason
management actions to modify fishing
seasons, catch limits, and quotas as
necessary to provide fishing opportunity
while meeting management objectives
for the affected species (50 CFR
660.409). Inseason actions in the salmon
fishery may be taken directly by NMFS
(50 CFR 660.409(a)—Fixed inseason
management provisions) or upon
consultation with the Chairman of the
Pacific Fishery Management Council
(Council), and the appropriate State
Directors (50 CFR 660.409(b)—Flexible
inseason management provisions).
Management of the salmon fisheries is
divided into two geographic areas: north
of Cape Falcon (NOF) (United States/
Canada border to Cape Falcon, OR), and
south of Cape Falcon (SOF) (Cape
Falcon, OR, to the United States/Mexico
border). The actions described in this
document affect the SOF and NOF
commercial and recreational fisheries,
as set out under the heading Inseason
Actions below.
Consultation with the Council
Chairman on these inseason actions
occurred on March 10, 2024, and April
23, 2024. These consultations included
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Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 124 / Thursday, June 27, 2024 / Rules and Regulations
representatives from NMFS, Washington
Department of Fish and Wildlife,
Oregon Department of Fish and
Wildlife, and California Department of
Fish and Wildlife. Representatives from
the Salmon Advisory Subpanel and
Salmon Technical Team (STT) were also
present. A Council representative was
present on March 10, 2024, and April
23, 2024.
These inseason actions were
announced on NMFS’ telephone hotline
and U.S. Coast Guard radio broadcast on
the date of the consultations (50 CFR
660.411(a)(2)).
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Inseason Actions
Reason and Authorization for Inseason
Actions #32–#34
At its March 5–11, 2024, meeting, the
STT presented updated stock
abundance forecasts for salmon stocks
managed under the Pacific Coast
Salmon Fishery Management Plan
(FMP). Based on the STT’s report, SOF
ocean salmon fisheries will be
constrained in 2024 by the very low
abundance forecasts for Klamath River
fall-run Chinook (KRFC) salmon and
Sacramento River fall-run Chinook
(SRFC) salmon. KRFC salmon continue
to meet the criteria for overfished,
which was determined under the
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Conservation and Management Act
(MSA) in 2018. In 2021, NMFS
determined that SRFC had achieved
rebuilt status (87 FR 25429) due to
several years of higher escapements.
However, the Sacramento River has
been experiencing low flows and high
temperatures in recent years associated
with decades of frequent droughts; these
conditions have adversely affected the
stock. KRFC Chinook salmon expected
abundance is low enough that the stock
will be managed under the de minimus
provisions of the harvest control rule in
the FMP. In addition, the abundance of
these stocks has been substantially overforecast in recent years, and escapement
have been much lower than anticipated
preseason. To reduce the impacts on
KRFC salmon and SRFC salmon given
the low forecasts, NMFS took three
inseason actions on March 11, 2024,
concurrent with the March Council
meeting to restrict some fisheries that
were previously scheduled to open prior
to May 16, 2023 (88 FR 30235, May 11,
2023).
The NMFS West Coast Regional
Administrator (RA) considered the
abundance forecasts for Chinook salmon
stocks and the projected impacts in the
ocean salmon fisheries, as modeled by
the STT, and determined that the
inseason actions described below are
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necessary to meet management and
conservation goals set preseason. These
inseason actions modify landing and
possession limits, quotas and/or fishing
seasons under 50 CFR 660.409(b)(1)(i).
Inseason Action #32
Description of the action: Inseason
action #32 modifies the SOF
commercial salmon troll fishery. In the
area between Cape Falcon, OR, and
Humbug Mountain, OR, the commercial
salmon troll fishery, is closed from
March 15, 2024, at 12:01 a.m. through
April 16, 2024, at 11:59 p.m.
Effective dates: Inseason action #32
takes effect on March 15, 2024, at 12:01
a.m. and remains in effect until April
16, 2024, at 11:59 p.m.
Inseason Action #33
Description of the action: Inseason
action #32 modifies the SOF
commercial salmon troll fishery. In the
area between Humbug Mountain and
the Oregon/California border, the
commercial salmon troll fishery is
closed from March 15, 2024, at 12:01
a.m. through April 16, 2024, at 11:59
p.m.
Effective dates: Inseason action #33
takes effect on March 15, 2024, at 12:01
a.m. and remains in effect until April
16, 2024, at 11:59 p.m.
Inseason Action #34
Description of the action: Inseason
action #34 modifies the ocean salmon
recreational fishery and the ocean
salmon troll commercial fishery from
the Oregon/California border to the
United States/Mexico border. These
fisheries are closed through May 15,
2024 or until superseded.
Effective dates: Inseason action #34
takes effect for the following areas and
dates, and remains in effect until
superseded.
• Effective May 1, 2024, at 12:01 a.m.
for the ocean salmon troll commercial
fishery from the Oregon/California
border to Humboldt South Jetty
(California Klamath Management Zone).
• Effective April 16, 2024, at 12:01
a.m. for the ocean salmon troll
commercial fishery from lat. 40°10′ N to
Point Arena, CA (Fort Bragg
management area).
• Effective May 1, 2024, at 12:01 a.m.
for the ocean salmon troll commercial
fishery from Point Arena, CA, to Pigeon
Point, CA (San Francisco management
area).
• Effective May 1, 2024, at 12:01 a.m.
for the ocean salmon troll commercial
fishery from Pigeon Point, CA, to the
United States/Mexico border (Monterey
management area).
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• Effective May 1, 2024, at 12:01 a.m.
for the ocean salmon recreational
fishery from the Oregon/California
border to latitude 40°10’ N (California
Klamath Management Zone).
• Effective April 6, 2024, at 12:01
a.m. for the ocean salmon recreational
fishery from latitude 40°10′ N and Point
Arena, CA (Fort Bragg management
area).
• Effective April 6, 2024, at 12:01
a.m. for the ocean salmon recreational
fishery from Point Arena, CA to Pigeon
Point, CA (San Francisco Management
Area),
• Effective April 6, 2024, at 12:01
a.m. for the ocean salmon recreation
fishery from Pigeon Point, CA to the
United States/Mexico border (Monterey
Management Area),
Inseason Action #35
Reason and authorization for the
action: The 2023–2024 annual
management measures for ocean salmon
fisheries (88 FR 30235, May 11, 2023)
established a May–June commercial
salmon fishery that included NOF
subarea quotas that were based on
information available at the time the
2023 management measures were
adopted. The 2023 management
measures allow for inseason action to
adjust fisheries scheduled to occur from
March 15, 2024, through May 15, 2024
(or until the effective date of the 2024
management measures), in response to
new information on 2024 salmon stock
abundance forecasts and northern
salmon fisheries impacts, to keep
fisheries impacts within management
objectives and consistent with
conservation needs. In addition to
adjusted quotas, the Council adopted a
weekly landing and possession limit
based on the calendar week (Thursday–
Wednesday). Under the 2023–2024
regulations, the fishery opens on May 1,
2024, with an 8-day calendar week
(Wednesday–Wednesday). Inseason
action adjusts the landing and
possession limits for the week of May 1,
2024, through May 8, 2024. Beginning
May 9, 2024, the fishery reverts to the
Thursday–Wednesday landing week.
The RA considered the abundance
forecasts for Chinook salmon stocks, the
timing of the action relative to the
length of the season, and determined
that the inseason action described above
is necessary to meet management and
conservation goals set preseason. This
inseason action modifies quotas and/or
fishing seasons, and landing boundaries
under 50 CFR 660.409(b)(1)(i) and (v).
Description of the action: Inseason
action #35 modifies the ocean salmon
troll commercial fishery from the United
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States/Canada border to Cape Falcon,
OR.
Effective dates: Inseason action #35
takes effect for the following areas and
dates, and remains in effect until
superseded.
• Effective May 1, 2024, at 12:01 a.m.,
the quota for the May–June fishery is
modified to 24,600 Chinook salmon, no
more than 5,600 of which may be caught
in the area between the United States/
Canada border and the Queets River and
no more than 5,710 of which may be
caught in the area between Leadbetter
Point and Cape Falcon.
• Effective May 1, 2024, at 12:01 a.m.,
the landing and possession limit for the
entire area between Cape Falcon and the
United States/Canada border is 150
Chinook salmon per vessel for the
period May 1, 2024, through May 8,
2024, and 150 Chinook salmon per
vessel per landing week (Thursday
through Wednesday) beginning May 9,
2024, at 12:01 a.m.
• Effective May 1, 2024, at 12:01 a.m.,
the landing and possession limit in the
area between the United States/Canada
border and the Queets River is 60
Chinook salmon per vessel for the
period May 1, 2024, through May 8,
2024, and 60 Chinook salmon per vessel
per landing week (Thursday through
Wednesday) beginning May 9, 2024, at
12:01 a.m.
• Effective May 1, 2024, at 12:01 a.m.,
the landing and possession limit in the
area between the Queets River and
Leadbetter Point is 150 Chinook salmon
per vessel for the period May 1, 2024,
through May 8, 2024, and 150 Chinook
salmon per vessel per landing week
(Thursday through Wednesday)
beginning May 9, 2024, at 12:01 a.m.
• Effective May 1, 2024, at 12:01 a.m.,
the landing and possession limit in the
area between Leadbetter Point and Cape
Falcon is 60 Chinook salmon per vessel
for the period May 1, 2024, through May
8, 2024, and 60 Chinook salmon per
vessel per landing week (Thursday
through Wednesday) beginning May 9,
2024, 12:01 a.m.
• Effective May 1, 2024, at 12:01 a.m.,
vessels fishing in a subarea north of
Cape Falcon with a higher landing and
possession limit may transit through
and land in a subarea with a lower
landing and possession limit, provided
they meet reporting requirements when
crossing the subarea boundary lines at
Leadbetter Point or Queets River.
All other restrictions and regulations
remain in effect as announced for the
2023–2024 ocean salmon fisheries (88
FR 30235, May 11, 2023; 88 FR 44737,
July 13, 2023; 88 FR 51250, August 3,
2023; 88 FR 53813, August 9, 2023; 88
FR 58522, August 28, 2023; 88 FR
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15:47 Jun 26, 2024
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65824, September 26, 2023; 88 FR
77533, November 13, 2023) except as
previously modified by inseason
actions.
The states and Tribes manage the
fisheries in state waters adjacent to the
areas of the U.S. exclusive economic
zone (3–200 nautical miles; 5.6–370.4
kilometers) off the coasts of the States of
Washington, Oregon, and California
consistent with these Federal actions.
As provided by the inseason notice
procedures at 50 CFR 660.411, actual
notice of the described regulatory
actions was given, prior to the time the
actions became effective, by telephone
hotline numbers 206–526–6667 and
800–662–9825, and by U.S. Coast Guard
Notice to Mariners broadcasts on
Channel 16 VHF–FM and 2182 kHz.
Classification
NMFS issues these actions pursuant
to section 305(d) of the MSA. These
actions are authorized by 50 CFR
660.409, which was issued pursuant to
section 304(b) of the MSA, and are
exempt from review under Executive
Order 12866.
Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(B),
there is good cause to waive prior notice
and an opportunity for public comment
on this action, as notice and comment
would be impracticable and contrary to
the public interest. Prior notice and
opportunity for public comment on this
action was impracticable because NMFS
had insufficient time to provide for
prior notice and the opportunity for
public comment between the time
Chinook and coho salmon abundance,
catch, and effort information were
developed and fisheries impacts were
calculated, and the time the fishery
modifications had to be implemented in
order to ensure that fisheries are
managed based on the best scientific
information available. As previously
noted, actual notice of the regulatory
action was provided to fishers through
telephone hotlines and radio
notifications. These actions comply
with the requirements of the annual
management measures for ocean salmon
fisheries (88 FR 30235, May 11, 2024),
the Pacific Salmon Fishery Management
Plan (FMP), and regulations
implementing the FMP under 50 CFR
660.409 and 660.411.
There is good cause under 5 U.S.C.
553(d)(3) to waive the 30-day delay in
effective date, as a delay in effectiveness
of this action would allow fishing at
levels inconsistent with the goals of the
FMP and the current management
measures.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
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Dated: June 24, 2024.
Karen H. Abrams,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2024–14113 Filed 6–26–24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
50 CFR Part 680
[Docket No. 240529–0147]
RIN 0648–BM81
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic
Zone; Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
Crab Rationalization Program;
Correction
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Final rule; correction.
AGENCY:
On June 4, 2024, NMFS
published a final rule to implement
amendment 55 to the Fishery
Management Plan for Bering Sea and
Aleutian Islands King and Tanner Crabs
(Crab FMP). The final rule inadvertently
omitted amendatory instructions for
regulations implementing amendment
55 for custom processing exemptions.
This correction fixes these errors.
DATES: Effective on July 5, 2024.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Andrew Olson, 907–586–7228,
andrew.olson@noaa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The final
rule to implement amendment 55 to the
Crab FMP (89 FR 47872, June 4, 2024)
inadvertently omitted amendatory
instructions to remove paragraphs 50
CFR 680.42(b)(7) and (8). NMFS is now
correcting the final rule to reflect this
omission and renumbering the
amendatory instructions for subsequent
changes to § 680.42.
SUMMARY:
Correction
In FR Doc. 2024–12230, published on
June 4, 2024, at 89 FR 47872, on page
47877, in the third column, amendatory
instruction 7 is corrected to read as
follows:
§ 680.42
[Corrected]
7. Effective July 5, 2024, amend
§ 680.42 by:
■ a. Removing the phrase ‘‘more than’’
in paragraph (a)(3)(i) introductory text;
■ b. Removing the phrase ‘‘more than’’
and adding in its place the phrase ‘‘PQS
in excess of’’ in the first sentence of
paragraph (b)(1)(i);
■
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 124 (Thursday, June 27, 2024)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 53530-53532]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-14113]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 660
[Docket No. 230508-0124; RTID 0648-XD952]
Fisheries Off West Coast States; Modification of the West Coast
Salmon Fisheries; Inseason Actions #32 Through #35
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Inseason modification of 2023-2024 management measures.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NMFS announces four inseason actions for the 2024 portion of
the 2023-2024 ocean salmon fisheries. These inseason actions modify the
recreational and commercial salmon fisheries in the area from the
United States/Canada border to the United States/Mexico border.
DATES: The effective dates for these inseason actions are set out in
this document under the heading ``Inseason Actions'' and the actions
remain in effect until superseded or modified.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shannon Penna, 562-980-4239,
[email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The annual management measures for the 2023-2024 ocean salmon
fisheries (88 FR 30235, May 11, 2023) govern the commercial and
recreational fisheries in the area from the United States/Canada border
to the United States/Mexico border, effective from 0001 hours Pacific
Daylight Time (PDT), May 16, 2023, until the effective date of the
2024-2025 management measures, as published in the Federal Register.
These measures include early season fisheries in March through mid-May
of 2024 that may be adjusted through inseason action when abundance
forecasts for 2024 salmon returns become available. NMFS is authorized
to implement inseason management actions to modify fishing seasons,
catch limits, and quotas as necessary to provide fishing opportunity
while meeting management objectives for the affected species (50 CFR
660.409). Inseason actions in the salmon fishery may be taken directly
by NMFS (50 CFR 660.409(a)--Fixed inseason management provisions) or
upon consultation with the Chairman of the Pacific Fishery Management
Council (Council), and the appropriate State Directors (50 CFR
660.409(b)--Flexible inseason management provisions).
Management of the salmon fisheries is divided into two geographic
areas: north of Cape Falcon (NOF) (United States/Canada border to Cape
Falcon, OR), and south of Cape Falcon (SOF) (Cape Falcon, OR, to the
United States/Mexico border). The actions described in this document
affect the SOF and NOF commercial and recreational fisheries, as set
out under the heading Inseason Actions below.
Consultation with the Council Chairman on these inseason actions
occurred on March 10, 2024, and April 23, 2024. These consultations
included
[[Page 53531]]
representatives from NMFS, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife,
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, and California Department of
Fish and Wildlife. Representatives from the Salmon Advisory Subpanel
and Salmon Technical Team (STT) were also present. A Council
representative was present on March 10, 2024, and April 23, 2024.
These inseason actions were announced on NMFS' telephone hotline
and U.S. Coast Guard radio broadcast on the date of the consultations
(50 CFR 660.411(a)(2)).
Inseason Actions
Reason and Authorization for Inseason Actions #32-#34
At its March 5-11, 2024, meeting, the STT presented updated stock
abundance forecasts for salmon stocks managed under the Pacific Coast
Salmon Fishery Management Plan (FMP). Based on the STT's report, SOF
ocean salmon fisheries will be constrained in 2024 by the very low
abundance forecasts for Klamath River fall-run Chinook (KRFC) salmon
and Sacramento River fall-run Chinook (SRFC) salmon. KRFC salmon
continue to meet the criteria for overfished, which was determined
under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act
(MSA) in 2018. In 2021, NMFS determined that SRFC had achieved rebuilt
status (87 FR 25429) due to several years of higher escapements.
However, the Sacramento River has been experiencing low flows and high
temperatures in recent years associated with decades of frequent
droughts; these conditions have adversely affected the stock. KRFC
Chinook salmon expected abundance is low enough that the stock will be
managed under the de minimus provisions of the harvest control rule in
the FMP. In addition, the abundance of these stocks has been
substantially over-forecast in recent years, and escapement have been
much lower than anticipated preseason. To reduce the impacts on KRFC
salmon and SRFC salmon given the low forecasts, NMFS took three
inseason actions on March 11, 2024, concurrent with the March Council
meeting to restrict some fisheries that were previously scheduled to
open prior to May 16, 2023 (88 FR 30235, May 11, 2023).
The NMFS West Coast Regional Administrator (RA) considered the
abundance forecasts for Chinook salmon stocks and the projected impacts
in the ocean salmon fisheries, as modeled by the STT, and determined
that the inseason actions described below are necessary to meet
management and conservation goals set preseason. These inseason actions
modify landing and possession limits, quotas and/or fishing seasons
under 50 CFR 660.409(b)(1)(i).
Inseason Action #32
Description of the action: Inseason action #32 modifies the SOF
commercial salmon troll fishery. In the area between Cape Falcon, OR,
and Humbug Mountain, OR, the commercial salmon troll fishery, is closed
from March 15, 2024, at 12:01 a.m. through April 16, 2024, at 11:59
p.m.
Effective dates: Inseason action #32 takes effect on March 15,
2024, at 12:01 a.m. and remains in effect until April 16, 2024, at
11:59 p.m.
Inseason Action #33
Description of the action: Inseason action #32 modifies the SOF
commercial salmon troll fishery. In the area between Humbug Mountain
and the Oregon/California border, the commercial salmon troll fishery
is closed from March 15, 2024, at 12:01 a.m. through April 16, 2024, at
11:59 p.m.
Effective dates: Inseason action #33 takes effect on March 15,
2024, at 12:01 a.m. and remains in effect until April 16, 2024, at
11:59 p.m.
Inseason Action #34
Description of the action: Inseason action #34 modifies the ocean
salmon recreational fishery and the ocean salmon troll commercial
fishery from the Oregon/California border to the United States/Mexico
border. These fisheries are closed through May 15, 2024 or until
superseded.
Effective dates: Inseason action #34 takes effect for the following
areas and dates, and remains in effect until superseded.
Effective May 1, 2024, at 12:01 a.m. for the ocean salmon
troll commercial fishery from the Oregon/California border to Humboldt
South Jetty (California Klamath Management Zone).
Effective April 16, 2024, at 12:01 a.m. for the ocean
salmon troll commercial fishery from lat. 40[deg]10' N to Point Arena,
CA (Fort Bragg management area).
Effective May 1, 2024, at 12:01 a.m. for the ocean salmon
troll commercial fishery from Point Arena, CA, to Pigeon Point, CA (San
Francisco management area).
Effective May 1, 2024, at 12:01 a.m. for the ocean salmon
troll commercial fishery from Pigeon Point, CA, to the United States/
Mexico border (Monterey management area).
Effective May 1, 2024, at 12:01 a.m. for the ocean salmon
recreational fishery from the Oregon/California border to latitude
40[deg]10' N (California Klamath Management Zone).
Effective April 6, 2024, at 12:01 a.m. for the ocean
salmon recreational fishery from latitude 40[deg]10' N and Point Arena,
CA (Fort Bragg management area).
Effective April 6, 2024, at 12:01 a.m. for the ocean
salmon recreational fishery from Point Arena, CA to Pigeon Point, CA
(San Francisco Management Area),
Effective April 6, 2024, at 12:01 a.m. for the ocean
salmon recreation fishery from Pigeon Point, CA to the United States/
Mexico border (Monterey Management Area),
Inseason Action #35
Reason and authorization for the action: The 2023-2024 annual
management measures for ocean salmon fisheries (88 FR 30235, May 11,
2023) established a May-June commercial salmon fishery that included
NOF subarea quotas that were based on information available at the time
the 2023 management measures were adopted. The 2023 management measures
allow for inseason action to adjust fisheries scheduled to occur from
March 15, 2024, through May 15, 2024 (or until the effective date of
the 2024 management measures), in response to new information on 2024
salmon stock abundance forecasts and northern salmon fisheries impacts,
to keep fisheries impacts within management objectives and consistent
with conservation needs. In addition to adjusted quotas, the Council
adopted a weekly landing and possession limit based on the calendar
week (Thursday-Wednesday). Under the 2023-2024 regulations, the fishery
opens on May 1, 2024, with an 8-day calendar week (Wednesday-
Wednesday). Inseason action adjusts the landing and possession limits
for the week of May 1, 2024, through May 8, 2024. Beginning May 9,
2024, the fishery reverts to the Thursday-Wednesday landing week.
The RA considered the abundance forecasts for Chinook salmon
stocks, the timing of the action relative to the length of the season,
and determined that the inseason action described above is necessary to
meet management and conservation goals set preseason. This inseason
action modifies quotas and/or fishing seasons, and landing boundaries
under 50 CFR 660.409(b)(1)(i) and (v).
Description of the action: Inseason action #35 modifies the ocean
salmon troll commercial fishery from the United
[[Page 53532]]
States/Canada border to Cape Falcon, OR.
Effective dates: Inseason action #35 takes effect for the following
areas and dates, and remains in effect until superseded.
Effective May 1, 2024, at 12:01 a.m., the quota for the
May-June fishery is modified to 24,600 Chinook salmon, no more than
5,600 of which may be caught in the area between the United States/
Canada border and the Queets River and no more than 5,710 of which may
be caught in the area between Leadbetter Point and Cape Falcon.
Effective May 1, 2024, at 12:01 a.m., the landing and
possession limit for the entire area between Cape Falcon and the United
States/Canada border is 150 Chinook salmon per vessel for the period
May 1, 2024, through May 8, 2024, and 150 Chinook salmon per vessel per
landing week (Thursday through Wednesday) beginning May 9, 2024, at
12:01 a.m.
Effective May 1, 2024, at 12:01 a.m., the landing and
possession limit in the area between the United States/Canada border
and the Queets River is 60 Chinook salmon per vessel for the period May
1, 2024, through May 8, 2024, and 60 Chinook salmon per vessel per
landing week (Thursday through Wednesday) beginning May 9, 2024, at
12:01 a.m.
Effective May 1, 2024, at 12:01 a.m., the landing and
possession limit in the area between the Queets River and Leadbetter
Point is 150 Chinook salmon per vessel for the period May 1, 2024,
through May 8, 2024, and 150 Chinook salmon per vessel per landing week
(Thursday through Wednesday) beginning May 9, 2024, at 12:01 a.m.
Effective May 1, 2024, at 12:01 a.m., the landing and
possession limit in the area between Leadbetter Point and Cape Falcon
is 60 Chinook salmon per vessel for the period May 1, 2024, through May
8, 2024, and 60 Chinook salmon per vessel per landing week (Thursday
through Wednesday) beginning May 9, 2024, 12:01 a.m.
Effective May 1, 2024, at 12:01 a.m., vessels fishing in a
subarea north of Cape Falcon with a higher landing and possession limit
may transit through and land in a subarea with a lower landing and
possession limit, provided they meet reporting requirements when
crossing the subarea boundary lines at Leadbetter Point or Queets
River.
All other restrictions and regulations remain in effect as
announced for the 2023-2024 ocean salmon fisheries (88 FR 30235, May
11, 2023; 88 FR 44737, July 13, 2023; 88 FR 51250, August 3, 2023; 88
FR 53813, August 9, 2023; 88 FR 58522, August 28, 2023; 88 FR 65824,
September 26, 2023; 88 FR 77533, November 13, 2023) except as
previously modified by inseason actions.
The states and Tribes manage the fisheries in state waters adjacent
to the areas of the U.S. exclusive economic zone (3-200 nautical miles;
5.6-370.4 kilometers) off the coasts of the States of Washington,
Oregon, and California consistent with these Federal actions. As
provided by the inseason notice procedures at 50 CFR 660.411, actual
notice of the described regulatory actions was given, prior to the time
the actions became effective, by telephone hotline numbers 206-526-6667
and 800-662-9825, and by U.S. Coast Guard Notice to Mariners broadcasts
on Channel 16 VHF-FM and 2182 kHz.
Classification
NMFS issues these actions pursuant to section 305(d) of the MSA.
These actions are authorized by 50 CFR 660.409, which was issued
pursuant to section 304(b) of the MSA, and are exempt from review under
Executive Order 12866.
Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(B), there is good cause to waive
prior notice and an opportunity for public comment on this action, as
notice and comment would be impracticable and contrary to the public
interest. Prior notice and opportunity for public comment on this
action was impracticable because NMFS had insufficient time to provide
for prior notice and the opportunity for public comment between the
time Chinook and coho salmon abundance, catch, and effort information
were developed and fisheries impacts were calculated, and the time the
fishery modifications had to be implemented in order to ensure that
fisheries are managed based on the best scientific information
available. As previously noted, actual notice of the regulatory action
was provided to fishers through telephone hotlines and radio
notifications. These actions comply with the requirements of the annual
management measures for ocean salmon fisheries (88 FR 30235, May 11,
2024), the Pacific Salmon Fishery Management Plan (FMP), and
regulations implementing the FMP under 50 CFR 660.409 and 660.411.
There is good cause under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3) to waive the 30-day
delay in effective date, as a delay in effectiveness of this action
would allow fishing at levels inconsistent with the goals of the FMP
and the current management measures.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: June 24, 2024.
Karen H. Abrams,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-14113 Filed 6-26-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
