Fisheries Off West Coast States; Modification of the West Coast Salmon Fisheries; Inseason Actions #17 Through #18, 13840-13842 [2025-05259]
Download as PDF
<![CDATA[
13840
Federal Register / Vol. 90, No. 58 / Thursday, March 27, 2025 / Rules and Regulations
IV. Statutory and Executive Order
Reviews
Additional information about these
statutes and Executive Orders can be
found at https://www.epa.gov/lawsregulations/laws-and-executive-orders.
A. Executive Order 12866: Regulatory
Planning and Review
This action is exempt from review
under Executive Order 12866 (58 FR
51735, October 4, 1993), because it
establishes or modifies a pesticide
tolerance or a tolerance exemption
under FFDCA section 408 in response to
a petition submitted to the Agency. The
Office of Management and Budget
(OMB) has exempted these types of
actions from review under Executive
Order 12866.
B. Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA)
This action does not impose an
information collection burden under the
PRA, 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq., because it
does not contain any information
collection activities.
C. Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA)
This action is not subject to the RFA,
5 U.S.C. 601 et seq. The RFA applies
only to rules subject to notice and
comment rulemaking requirements
under the Administrative Procedure Act
(APA), 5 U.S.C. 553, or any other
statute. This rule is not subject to the
APA but is subject to FFDCA section
408(d), which does not require notice
and comment rulemaking to take this
action in response to a petition.
D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
(UMRA)
This action does not contain an
unfunded mandate of $100 million or
more (in 1995 dollars and adjusted
annually for inflation) as described in
UMRA, 2 U.S.C. 1531–1538, and does
not significantly or uniquely affect small
governments. The action imposes no
enforceable duty on any state, local or
tribal governments or the private sector.
lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with RULES1
E. Executive Order 13132: Federalism
This action does not have federalism
implications as specified in Executive
Order 13132 (64 FR 43255, August 10,
1999), because it will not have
substantial direct effects on the states,
on the relationship between the national
government and the states, or on the
distribution of power and
responsibilities among the various
levels of government.
VerDate Sep<11>2014
15:57 Mar 26, 2025
Jkt 265001
F. Executive Order 13175: Consultation
and Coordination With Indian Tribal
Governments
This action does not have tribal
implications as specified in Executive
Order 13175 (65 FR 67249, November 9,
2000), because it will not have
substantial direct effects on tribal
governments, on the relationship
between the Federal government and
the Indian tribes, or on the distribution
of power and responsibilities between
the Federal government and Indian
tribes.
G. Executive Order 13045: Protection of
Children From Environmental Health
Risks and Safety Risks
This action is not subject to Executive
Order 13045 (62 FR 19885, April 23,
1997) because it is not a significant
regulatory action under section 3(f)(1) of
Executive Order 12866 (See Unit IV.A.),
and because EPA does not believe the
environmental health or safety risks
addressed by this action present a
disproportionate risk to children.
However, EPA’s 2021 Policy on
Children’s Health applies to this action.
This rule finalizes an exemption from
the requirement of a tolerance under the
FFDCA, which requires EPA to give
special consideration to exposure of
infants and children to the pesticide
chemical residue in establishing a
tolerance and to ‘‘ensure that there is a
reasonable certainty that no harm will
result to infants and children from
aggregate exposure to the pesticide
chemical residue . . .’’ (FFDCA
408(b)(2)(C)). The Agency’s
consideration is documented in Unit
III.A.
H. Executive Order 13211: Actions
Concerning Regulations That
Significantly Affect Energy Supply,
Distribution or Use
This action is not subject to Executive
Order 13211 (66 FR 28355) (May 22,
2001) because it is not a significant
regulatory action under Executive Order
12866.
I. National Technology Transfer
Advancement Act (NTTAA)
This action does not involve technical
standards that would require Agency
consideration under NTTAA section
12(d), 15 U.S.C. 272.
J. Congressional Review Act (CRA)
This action is subject to the CRA, 5
U.S.C. 801 et seq., and EPA will submit
a rule report to each House of the
Congress and to the Comptroller General
of the United States. This action not a
‘‘major rule’’ as defined by 5 U.S.C.
804(2).
PO 00000
Frm 00008
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 180
Environmental protection,
Administrative practice and procedure,
Agricultural commodities, Pesticides
and pests, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements.
Dated: March 19, 2025.
Edward Messina,
Director, Office of Pesticide Programs.
Therefore, for the reasons stated in the
preamble, the EPA is amending 40 CFR
chapter I as follows:
PART 180—TOLERANCES AND
EXEMPTIONS FOR PESTICIDE
CHEMICAL RESIDUES IN FOOD
1. The authority citation for part 180
continues to read as follows:
■
Authority: 21 U.S.C. 321(q), 346a and 371.
2. Add § 180.1416 to subpart D to read
as follows:
■
§ 180.1416 Pseudomonas oryzihabitans
strain SYM23945; exemption from the
requirement of a tolerance.
An exemption from the requirement
of a tolerance is established for residues
of Pseudomonas oryzihabitans strain
SYM23945 in or on all food
commodities when used in accordance
with label directions and good
agricultural practices.
[FR Doc. 2025–05173 Filed 3–26–25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
50 CFR Part 660
[Docket No. 240514–0137; RTID 0648–
XE743]
Fisheries Off West Coast States;
Modification of the West Coast Salmon
Fisheries; Inseason Actions #17
Through #18
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Inseason modification of 2024–
2025 management measures.
AGENCY:
NMFS announces two
inseason actions for the 2024 portion of
the 2024–2025 ocean salmon fisheries.
These inseason actions modify the
recreational and commercial salmon
fisheries in the area from Cape Falcon,
OR, to the United States/Mexico border.
DATES: The effective dates for these
inseason actions are set out in this
SUMMARY:
E:\FR\FM\27MRR1.SGM
27MRR1
Federal Register / Vol. 90, No. 58 / Thursday, March 27, 2025 / Rules and Regulations
lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with RULES1
document under the heading ‘‘Inseason
Actions’’ and the actions remain in
effect until superseded or modified.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Anna Heeter, (971) 361–8895,
Anna.Heeter@noaa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The annual management measures for
the 2024–2025 ocean salmon fisheries
(89 FR 44553, May 21, 2024; 89 FR
53529, June 27, 2024) 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, 2024,
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 2025 that may be
adjusted through inseason action when
abundance forecasts for 2025 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
opportunities 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 (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 commercial and
recreational fisheries, as set out under
the heading Inseason Actions below.
Consultation with the Council
Chairman and representatives for the
appropriate State Directors on these
inseason actions occurred on March 10,
2025. These consultations included
representatives from NMFS, Oregon
Department of Fish and Wildlife, and
California Department of Fish and
Wildlife. Representatives from the
Salmon Advisory Subpanel and the
Salmon Technical Team (STT) were also
present.
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)).
VerDate Sep<11>2014
15:57 Mar 26, 2025
Jkt 265001
Inseason Actions
Reason and Authorization for Inseason
Action #17–18
At its March 4–11, 2025 meeting, the
STT presented stock abundance
forecasts for 2025 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 2025 by the very low
abundance forecasts for Klamath River
fall-run Chinook (KRFC) salmon and
Sacramento River fall-run Chinook
(SRFC) salmon. KRFC salmon were
determined by NMFS to be overfished
under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Conservation and Management Act
(MSA) in 2018 and continue to meet the
criteria for overfished status. In 2021,
NMFS determined that SRFC, which
were previously determined to be
overfished, 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. The
preliminary 2025 Sacramento Index (SI)
forecast is 165,655. Application of this
forecast to the SRFC harvest control rule
results in a maximum allowable
exploitation rate of 26.4 percent (just
above the de minimus level of 25
percent) and a minimum hatchery and
natural area escapement of 122,000
adults. This fishery would need to be
severely constrained in order to meet
this lower escapement goal of 122,000
adults. Due to these circumstances and
the SI forecast being one of the lowest
since the 1970s, caution is warranted to
reduce the chances that the stock
becomes overfished again. 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
has been much lower than anticipated
preseason. To reduce the impacts on
KRFC salmon and SRFC salmon, given
the low forecasts, NMFS took inseason
action on March 10, 2025, concurrent
with the March Council meeting to
restrict some fisheries that were
previously scheduled to open prior to
May 16, 2024.
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
PO 00000
Frm 00009
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
13841
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 #17
Description of the action: Inseason
action #17 modifies the ocean salmon
recreational fishery and the ocean
salmon troll commercial fishery from
the Oregon/California border to the
U.S./Mexico border. These fisheries are
closed through May 15, 2025, or until
superseded.
Effective dates: Inseason action #17
takes effect for the following areas and
dates, and remains in effect until
superseded.
• Effective May 1, 2025, 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, 2025, 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, 2025, 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, 2025, at 12:01 a.m.,
for the ocean salmon troll commercial
fishery from Pigeon Point, CA, to the
U.S./Mexico border (Monterey
management area).
• Effective April 5, 2025, 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 5, 2025, 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 5, 2025, 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 5, 2025, at 12:01
a.m., for the ocean salmon recreation
fishery from Pigeon Point, CA, to the
U.S./Mexico border (Monterey
Management Area).
Inseason Action #18
Description of the action: Inseason
action #18 modifies the SOF
commercial salmon troll fishery. In the
area between Cape Falcon, OR, and the
Oregon/California border. These
fisheries are closed for some of the dates
E:\FR\FM\27MRR1.SGM
27MRR1
13842
Federal Register / Vol. 90, No. 58 / Thursday, March 27, 2025 / Rules and Regulations
lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with RULES1
they were originally scheduled to be
open, as described below.
Effective dates: Inseason action #18
takes effect for the following areas and
dates, and remains in effect until
superseded.
• Effective March 15, 2025, at 12:01
a.m., for the commercial salmon troll
fishery in the area between Cape Falcon,
OR, and Humbug Mountain, OR,
through April 9, 2025, at 11:59 p.m.
• Effective March 15, 2025, at 12:01
a.m., for the commercial salmon troll
fishery in the area between Humbug
Mountain and the Oregon/California
border through April 14, 2025, at 11:59
p.m.
All other restrictions and regulations
remain in effect as announced for the
2024–2025 ocean salmon fisheries (89
FR 44553, May 21, 2024; 89 FR 53529,
June 27, 2024; 89 FR 61355, July 31,
2024; 89 FR 104895, December 26, 2024)
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
VerDate Sep<11>2014
15:57 Mar 26, 2025
Jkt 265001
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 (89 FR 44553, May 21, 2024; 89
FR 53529, June 27, 2024), the 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: March 24, 2025.
Karen H. Abrams,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2025–05259 Filed 3–26–25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 250321–0045]
RIN 0648–BM77
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic
Zone; Authorizing Hook-and-Line
Catcher/Processors To Use Longline
Pot Gear in the Bering Sea Greenland
Turbot Fishery
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Final rule.
AGENCY:
NMFS issues regulations
authorizing hook-and-line catcher/
processors (C/Ps) to use longline pot
gear when directed fishing for
Greenland turbot in the Bering Sea (BS)
subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian
Islands (BSAI). This action is necessary
to improve efficiency, provide economic
benefits for the hook-and-line C/P
sector, and minimize potential fishery
interactions with killer whales. This
action promotes the goals and objectives
of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Conservation and Management Act
(Magnuson-Stevens Act), the Fishery
Management Plan (FMP) for Groundfish
of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
Management Area (BSAI FMP), and
other applicable laws.
DATES: Effective on April 28, 2025.
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
Frm 00010
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
Electronic copies of the
Environmental Assessment and
Regulatory Impact Review (RIR)
(collectively ‘‘the Analysis’’) and
Finding of No Significant Impact
(FONSI) prepared for this action are
available on https://
www.regulations.gov or from the NMFS
Alaska Region website at https://
www.fisheries.noaa.gov/region/alaska.
Written comments regarding the
burden-hour estimates or other aspects
of the collection-of-information
requirements contained in this final rule
may be submitted to https://
www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain.
Find the particular information
collection by using the search function
and entering either the title of the
collection or the Office of Management
and Budget OMB Control Number.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Andrew Olson, 907–586–7228,
andrew.olson@noaa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This final
rule implements regulations authorizing
hook-and-line C/Ps to use longline pot
gear when directed fishing for
Greenland turbot (Reinhardtius
hippoglossoides) in the BS subarea of
the BSAI. NMFS published a proposed
rule in the Federal Register on October
23, 2024 (89 FR 84514) with comments
invited through November 22, 2024. All
comments submitted on or before
November 22, 2024, were considered in
the development of this final rule, and
a technical change has been made from
the proposed rule in this final rule. A
summary of the comments and NMFS’s
responses are provided under the
heading ‘‘Comments and Responses’’
below.
The North Pacific Fishery
Management Council (Council) and
NMFS manage Greenland turbot as a
groundfish species under the BSAI
FMP. Section 3.4 of BSAI FMP
identifies authorized gear types for
groundfish fisheries as the following:
trawls, hook-and-line, pots, jigs, and
other gear as defined in regulations.
This section also states that further
restrictions on gear that are necessary
for conservation and management of
fishery resources and which are
consistent with the goals and objectives
of the FMP are found at 50 CFR part
679.
ADDRESSES:
Background
This final rule is intended to increase
operational flexibility for hook-and-line
C/Ps participating in the directed
fishery for Greenland turbot in the BS
subarea by authorizing the use of
longline pot gear to mitigate the impacts
of whale depredation, which should
E:\FR\FM\27MRR1.SGM
27MRR1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 58 (Thursday, March 27, 2025)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 13840-13842]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-05259]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 660
[Docket No. 240514-0137; RTID 0648-XE743]
Fisheries Off West Coast States; Modification of the West Coast
Salmon Fisheries; Inseason Actions #17 Through #18
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Inseason modification of 2024-2025 management measures.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NMFS announces two inseason actions for the 2024 portion of
the 2024-2025 ocean salmon fisheries. These inseason actions modify the
recreational and commercial salmon fisheries in the area from Cape
Falcon, OR, to the United States/Mexico border.
DATES: The effective dates for these inseason actions are set out in
this
[[Page 13841]]
document under the heading ``Inseason Actions'' and the actions remain
in effect until superseded or modified.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Anna Heeter, (971) 361-8895,
[email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The annual management measures for the 2024-2025 ocean salmon
fisheries (89 FR 44553, May 21, 2024; 89 FR 53529, June 27, 2024)
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, 2024,
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 2025 that may be adjusted through
inseason action when abundance forecasts for 2025 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 opportunities 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 (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 commercial and recreational fisheries, as set out under
the heading Inseason Actions below.
Consultation with the Council Chairman and representatives for the
appropriate State Directors on these inseason actions occurred on March
10, 2025. These consultations included representatives from NMFS,
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, and California Department of
Fish and Wildlife. Representatives from the Salmon Advisory Subpanel
and the Salmon Technical Team (STT) were also present.
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 Action #17-18
At its March 4-11, 2025 meeting, the STT presented stock abundance
forecasts for 2025 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 2025 by the very low
abundance forecasts for Klamath River fall-run Chinook (KRFC) salmon
and Sacramento River fall-run Chinook (SRFC) salmon. KRFC salmon were
determined by NMFS to be overfished under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Conservation and Management Act (MSA) in 2018 and continue to meet the
criteria for overfished status. In 2021, NMFS determined that SRFC,
which were previously determined to be overfished, 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. The
preliminary 2025 Sacramento Index (SI) forecast is 165,655. Application
of this forecast to the SRFC harvest control rule results in a maximum
allowable exploitation rate of 26.4 percent (just above the de minimus
level of 25 percent) and a minimum hatchery and natural area escapement
of 122,000 adults. This fishery would need to be severely constrained
in order to meet this lower escapement goal of 122,000 adults. Due to
these circumstances and the SI forecast being one of the lowest since
the 1970s, caution is warranted to reduce the chances that the stock
becomes overfished again. 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 has been much lower than anticipated preseason. To reduce
the impacts on KRFC salmon and SRFC salmon, given the low forecasts,
NMFS took inseason action on March 10, 2025, concurrent with the March
Council meeting to restrict some fisheries that were previously
scheduled to open prior to May 16, 2024.
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 #17
Description of the action: Inseason action #17 modifies the ocean
salmon recreational fishery and the ocean salmon troll commercial
fishery from the Oregon/California border to the U.S./Mexico border.
These fisheries are closed through May 15, 2025, or until superseded.
Effective dates: Inseason action #17 takes effect for the following
areas and dates, and remains in effect until superseded.
Effective May 1, 2025, 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, 2025, 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, 2025, 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, 2025, at 12:01 a.m., for the ocean salmon
troll commercial fishery from Pigeon Point, CA, to the U.S./Mexico
border (Monterey management area).
Effective April 5, 2025, 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 5, 2025, 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 5, 2025, 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 5, 2025, at 12:01 a.m., for the ocean
salmon recreation fishery from Pigeon Point, CA, to the U.S./Mexico
border (Monterey Management Area).
Inseason Action #18
Description of the action: Inseason action #18 modifies the SOF
commercial salmon troll fishery. In the area between Cape Falcon, OR,
and the Oregon/California border. These fisheries are closed for some
of the dates
[[Page 13842]]
they were originally scheduled to be open, as described below.
Effective dates: Inseason action #18 takes effect for the following
areas and dates, and remains in effect until superseded.
Effective March 15, 2025, at 12:01 a.m., for the
commercial salmon troll fishery in the area between Cape Falcon, OR,
and Humbug Mountain, OR, through April 9, 2025, at 11:59 p.m.
Effective March 15, 2025, at 12:01 a.m., for the
commercial salmon troll fishery in the area between Humbug Mountain and
the Oregon/California border through April 14, 2025, at 11:59 p.m.
All other restrictions and regulations remain in effect as
announced for the 2024-2025 ocean salmon fisheries (89 FR 44553, May
21, 2024; 89 FR 53529, June 27, 2024; 89 FR 61355, July 31, 2024; 89 FR
104895, December 26, 2024) 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 (89 FR 44553, May 21,
2024; 89 FR 53529, June 27, 2024), the 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: March 24, 2025.
Karen H. Abrams,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-05259 Filed 3-26-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
