National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration September 27, 2006 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

NMFS announces that the commercial salmon fishery in the area from the U.S.-Canada Border to Cape Falcon, OR, was modified such that the fishery did not reopen on June 17, 2006, as scheduled and remained closed through Monday, June 26, 2006. The fishery then reopened on June 27 through midnight June 30, 2006, with a 20-Chinook per vessel possession and landing limit for the four day open period. On June 15, 2006, NMFS determined that available catch and effort data indicated that the quota of 22, 450 Chinook salmon for May and June would be exceeded unless modified by inseason action. This action was necessary to conform to the 2006 management goals.

NMFS announces that the commercial salmon fishery in the area from Cape Falcon, OR to U.S.-Canada border was modified such that the season was open from Friday, September 8, 2006, through Friday, September 15, 2006, with a modified landing and possession limit for the open period of 160 Chinook and 80 marked coho. This action was necessary to conform to the 2006 management goals, with the intended effect of allowing the fishery to operate within the seasons and quotas specified in the 2006, annual management measures.

NMFS announced that the recreational fishery from the U.S.- Canada Border, to Cape Falcon, OR was modified, effective Friday, August 11, 2006, in the following subareas: the La Push, Westport, and Columbia River Subarea's were open seven days per week, with a modified daily bag limit as follows: All salmon, two fish per day. The Neah Bay Subarea was open seven days per week with a modified daily bag limit as follows: All salmon, two fish per day, except no chum retention through September 17, 2006. All other restrictions remained in effect as announced for 2006 Ocean Salmon Fisheries. This action was necessary to conform to the 2006 management goals, and the intended effect was to allow the fishery to operate within the seasons and quotas specified in the 2006 annual management measures.

Notice is hereby given that Northeast Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, 166 Water Street, Woods Hole, MA 02543-1097, has requested a modification to scientific research Permit No. 1448.

NMFS proposes regulations to implement measures in Amendment 1 to the Atlantic Herring Fishery Management Plan (FMP). Amendment 1 was developed by the New England Fishery Management Council (Council) to establish a limited access program, and to make other changes in the management of the Atlantic herring fishery. The Amendment 1 measures being proposed include: A limited access program; an open access incidental catch permit; a change in the management area boundaries; establishment of a purse seine/fixed gear-only area; establishment of a maximum sustainable yield (MSY) proxy; an approach to determining the distribution of area-specific Total Allowable Catches (TACs); a multi- year specifications process; a research quota set-aside for herring- related research; a set-aside for fixed gear fisheries; a change in the midwater trawl gear definition; and additional measures that could be implemented through the framework adjustment process. The intent of this action is to provide efficient management of the Atlantic herring fishery and to meet conservation objectives.