National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration May 1, 2008 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

NMFS establishes fishery management measures for the 2008 ocean salmon fisheries off Washington, Oregon, California and the 2009 salmon seasons opening earlier than May 1, 2009. The temporary rule for emergency action (emergency rule), under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act), implements the 2008 annual management measures for the west coast ocean salmon fisheries for the area from Cape Falcon, OR, to the Oregon/California Border from June 22 to August 31, 2008. The emergency rule is required because Sacramento River fall Chinook (SRFC) are projected to not meet their conservation objective of 122,000 to 180,000 natural and hatchery adult spawners established in the Pacific Coast Salmon Fishery Management Plan (Salmon FMP). 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 nm) 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 to provide for inside fisheries (fisheries occurring in state internal waters).

The National Weather Service (NWS) proposes to update its policy regarding NWS support for special events such as athletic competitions and festivals. These events can put large numbers of spectators and participants in harm's way if adverse weather conditions occur. This policy update is intended to clarify the role of NWS in providing products and services as well as address the role of private sector weather providers in providing complementary services.

The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is scheduling a public meeting of its Habitat/MPA/Ecosystem Committee, in May, 2008, to consider actions affecting New England fisheries in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Recommendations from this group will be brought to the full Council for formal consideration and action, if appropriate.

NMFS announces approval by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) of collection-of-information requirements contained in regulations implementing amendments to the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan.