80 FR 53015 - Fisheries Off West Coast States; Modifications of the West Coast Commercial and Recreational Salmon Fisheries; Inseason Actions #22 through #29
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 170 (September 2, 2015)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 170 (September 2, 2015)
| Page Range | 53015-53018 | |
| FR Document | 2015-21770 |
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 170 (Wednesday, September 2, 2015)] [Rules and Regulations] [Pages 53015-53018] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2015-21770] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 660 [Docket No. 150316270-5270-01] RIN 0648-XE121 Fisheries Off West Coast States; Modifications of the West Coast Commercial and Recreational Salmon Fisheries; Inseason Actions #22 through #29 AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Modification of fishing seasons; request for comments. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: NMFS announces eight inseason actions in the ocean salmon fisheries. These inseason actions modified the commercial and recreational salmon fisheries in the area from the U.S./Canada border to the U.S./Mexico border. DATES: The effective dates for the inseason actions are set out in this document under the heading Inseason Actions. Comments will be accepted through September 17, 2015. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by NOAA-NMFS-2015-0001, by any one of the following methods:Electronic Submissions: Submit all electronic public comments via the Federal eRulemaking Portal. Go to www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2015-0001, click the ``Comment Now!'' icon, complete the required fields, and enter or attach your comments. Mail: William W. Stelle, Jr., Regional Administrator, West Coast Region, NMFS, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115-6349. Instructions: Comments sent by any other method, to any other address or individual, or received after the end of the comment period, may not be considered by NMFS. All comments received are a part of the public record and will generally be posted for public viewing on www.regulations.gov without change. All personal identifying information (e.g., name, address, etc.), confidential business information, or otherwise sensitive information submitted voluntarily by the sender will be publicly accessible. NMFS will accept anonymous comments (enter ``N/A'' in the required fields if you wish to remain anonymous). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Peggy Mundy at 206-526-4323. [[Page 53016]] SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background In the 2015 annual management measures for ocean salmon fisheries (80 FR 25611, May 5, 2015), NMFS announced the commercial and recreational fisheries in the area from the U.S./Canada border to the U.S./Mexico border, beginning May 1, 2015, and 2016 salmon fisheries opening earlier than May 1, 2016. NMFS is authorized to implement inseason management actions to modify fishing seasons 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 Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) and the appropriate State Directors (50 CFR 660.409(b)--Flexible inseason management provisions). The state management agencies that participated in the consultations described in this document were: Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). Management of the salmon fisheries is generally divided into two geographic areas: north of Cape Falcon (U.S./Canada border to Cape Falcon, OR) and south of Cape Falcon (Cape Falcon, OR, to the U.S./ Mexico border). The inseason actions reported in this document affect fisheries north and south of Cape Falcon. All times mentioned refer to Pacific daylight time. Inseason Actions Inseason Action #22 Description of action: Inseason action #22 adjusted the daily bag limit in the recreational salmon fishery in the Westport Subarea (Queets River, WA to Leadbetter Point, WA) to allow retention of two Chinook salmon; previously, only one Chinook salmon could be retained daily. Effective dates: Inseason action #22 took effect on August 15, 2015, and remains in effect until the end of the 2015 recreational salmon fishery, or until modified by further inseason action. Reason and authorization for the action: The Regional Administrator (RA) considered fishery effort and Chinook salmon landings to date, and determined that sufficient quota remained to allow an increase in the Chinook salmon bag limit without exceeding the quota. Inseason action to modify recreational bag limits is authorized by 50 CFR 660.409(b)(1)(iii). Consultation date and participants: Consultation on inseason action #22 occurred on August 12, 2015. Participants in this consultation were staff from NMFS, Council, WDFW, and ODFW. Inseason Action #23 Description of action: Inseason action #23 modified the daily bag limit in the recreational salmon fishery in the Neah Bay Subarea (U.S./ Canada border to Cape Alava, WA) to allow retention of one Chinook salmon per day for two days, beginning at 12:01 a.m., August 14, 2015 through 11:59 p.m., August 15, 2015. Effective 12:01 a.m., August 16, 2015, non-retention of Chinook salmon in this subarea resumed. This action superseded inseason action #18. Effective dates: Inseason action #23 took effect on August 14, 2015, and remained in effect until it was superseded by inseason action #28 on August 21, 2015. Reason and authorization for the action: Under inseason action #18, which took effect August 2, 2015, NMFS implemented non-retention of Chinook salmon in the recreational salmon fishery in the Neah Bay Subarea, to prevent exceeding the subarea guideline for Chinook salmon harvest. In the consultation on August 12, 2015, that lead to inseason action #23, the RA considered fishery effort and updated Chinook salmon landings to date and determined that the subarea guideline had sufficient Chinook salmon available to allow limited Chinook salmon retention. This action also made regulations in the Neah Bay Subarea consistent with regulations in adjacent state waters that allow Chinook retention through August 15, 2015. Inseason action to modify recreational bag limits is authorized by 50 CFR 660.409(b)(1)(iii). Consultation date and participants: Consultation on inseason action #23 occurred on August 12, 2015. Participants in this consultation were staff from NMFS, Council, WDFW, and ODFW. Inseason Action #24 Description of action: Inseason action #24 adjusted the summer quota (July through September) for the commercial salmon fishery north of Cape Falcon. Unutilized quota from the spring season was rolled over to the summer season. The adjusted summer quota is 27,830 Chinook salmon. Effective dates: Inseason action #24 took effect August 12, 2015, and remains in effect until the end of the 2015 commercial salmon fishery. Reason and authorization for the action: The quota for the spring commercial salmon fishing season north of Cape Falcon was 40,200 Chinook salmon, of which, 39,170 Chinook salmon were harvested, leaving 1,030 Chinook salmon unutilized. The STT calculated the quota rollover from the spring fishing season to the summer fishing season on an impact-neutral basis for the lower Columbia River natural tule Chinook salmon stock, and determined the rollover could be implemented on a 1 to 1 basis, with no adjustment needed. Therefore, 1,030 Chinook salmon were added to the summer quota that was set preseason at 26,800 Chinook salmon, resulting in an adjusted summer quota of 27,830 Chinook salmon. Modification of quotas and/or fishing seasons is authorized by 50 CFR 660.409(b)(1)(i). Consultation date and participants: Consultation on inseason action #24 occurred on August 12, 2015. Participants in this consultation were staff from NMFS, Council, WDFW, and ODFW. Inseason Action #25 Description of action: Inseason action #25 modified the landing and possession limit for Chinook salmon in the commercial salmon fishery north of Cape Falcon to 50 Chinook salmon per vessel per open period in all areas north of Cape Falcon. This action superseded inseason action #15 (80 FR 43336). Effective dates: Inseason action #25 took effect on August 14, 2015, and remained in effect until it was superseded by inseason action #29 on August 21, 2015. Reason and authorization for the action: The annual management measures (80 FR 25611) set the landing and possession limits for the summer commercial salmon fishery north of Cape Falcon at 50 Chinook salmon and 50 marked coho per vessel per open period. Inseason action #15, which took effect on July 10, 2015 (80 FR 43336), modified the Chinook salmon landing and possession limit to 60 Chinook salmon north of the Queets River or 75 Chinook salmon south of the Queets River. On August 12, the RA considered fishery effort and Chinook salmon and coho landings to date, and determined that adjusting the Chinook salmon landing limit to 50 Chinook salmon per vessel per open period, in all areas north of Cape Falcon, would allow access to remaining quota without exceeding the quota. Inseason action to modify quotas and/or fishing seasons is authorized by 50 CFR 660.409(b)(1)(i). [[Page 53017]] Consultation date and participants: Consultation on inseason action #25 occurred on August 12, 2015. Participants in this consultation were staff from NMFS, Council, WDFW, and ODFW. Inseason Action #26 Description of action: Inseason action #26 adjusted the quota for the Cape Falcon to Humbug Mountain recreational non-mark-selective coho fishery that begins September 4, 2015. Unutilized quota from the June through August mark-selective coho fishery was rolled over to the non- mark-selective coho fishery on an impact-neutral basis. The adjusted quota is 20,700 non-mark-selective coho. Effective dates: Inseason action #26 is effective from September 4, 2015 to the end of the 2015 recreational salmon fishery. Reason and authorization for the action: The annual management measures (80 FR 25611) provide that any remainder of the quota from the Cape Falcon to Oregon/California border mark-selective coho fishery (June 27, 2015 through August 9, 2015) will be transferred on an impact-neutral basis to the September non-selective coho quota from Cape Falcon to Humbug Mountain. The mark-selective coho fishery had 40,092 unutilized mark-selective coho. The STT calculated that the impact-neutral rollover of that remainder from the mark-selective coho fishery yielded 8,219 non-mark-selective coho. The state of Oregon requested a reduced rollover of 8,200 non-mark-selective coho, to allow a buffer for assumed, but not yet accounted impacts. The RA concurred with the rollover, which adjusted the non-mark-selective quota from 12,500 to 20,700 non-mark-selective coho. Modification of quotas and/or fishing seasons is authorized by 50 CFR 660.409(b)(1)(i). Consultation date and participants: Consultation on inseason action #26 occurred on August 19, 2015. Participants in this consultation were staff from NMFS, Council, WDFW, and ODFW. Inseason Action #27 Description of action: Inseason action #27 terminated retention of Pacific halibut caught incidental to the commercial salmon fishery, at 11:59 p.m., August 20, 2015, due to attainment of the allocation that was set by the International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC). All halibut must be landed within 24 hours of this closure. Effective dates: Inseason action #27 took effect August 20, 2015 and remains in effect through the end of the 2015 commercial salmon fishery. Reason and authorization for the action: The RA considered landings and effort to date, and took action to terminate retention of Pacific halibut caught incidental to the commercial salmon fishery due to projected attainment of the allocation set by the IPHC. Inseason action to modify fishing seasons is authorized by 50 CFR 660.409(b)(1)(i). Consultation date and participants: Consultation on inseason action #27 occurred on August 19, 2015. Participants in this consultation were staff from NMFS, Council, WDFW, ODFW, and IPHC. Inseason Action #28 Description of action: Inseason action #28 modified the daily bag limit in the recreational salmon fishery in the Neah Bay Subarea (U.S./ Canada border to Cape Alava, WA) to allow retention of one Chinook salmon per day. This action superseded inseason action #23. Effective dates: Inseason action #28 took effect August 21, 2015, and remains in effect until the end of the 2015 recreational salmon fishery, or until modified by further inseason action. Reason and authorization for the action: The RA considered landings and effort to date and took this action to allow access to remaining Chinook salmon without exceeding the guideline in the Neah Bay Subarea. Inseason action to modify recreational bag limits is authorized by 50 CFR 660.409(b)(1)(iii). Consultation date and participants: Consultation on inseason action #28 occurred on August 19, 2015. Participants in this consultation were staff from NMFS, Council, WDFW, and ODFW. Inseason Action #29 Description of action: Inseason action #29 modified the landing and possession limit for Chinook salmon in the commercial salmon fishery north of Cape Falcon to 40 Chinook salmon per vessel per open period in all areas north of Cape Falcon. This action superseded inseason action #25. Effective dates: Inseason action #29 took effect on August 21, 2015, and remains in effect until the end of the 2015 commercial salmon fishery, or until modified by further inseason action. Reason and authorization for the action: The RA considered fishery effort and Chinook salmon and coho landings to date, and determined that adjusting the Chinook salmon landing limit would allow access to remaining quota without exceeding the quota. Inseason action to modify quotas and/or fishing seasons is authorized by 50 CFR 660.409(b)(1)(i). Consultation date and participants: Consultation on inseason action #28 occurred on August 19, 2015. Participants in this consultation were staff from NMFS, Council, WDFW, and ODFW. All other restrictions and regulations remain in effect as announced for the 2015 ocean salmon fisheries and 2016 salmon fisheries opening prior to May 1, 2016 (80 FR 25611, May 5, 2015). The RA determined that the best available information indicated that halibut, coho, and Chinook salmon catch to date and fishery effort supported the above inseason actions recommended by the states of Washington and Oregon. The states manage the fisheries in state waters adjacent to the areas of the U.S. exclusive economic zone in accordance with these Federal actions. As provided by the inseason notice procedures of 50 CFR 660.411, actual notice of the described regulatory actions was given, prior to the time the action was 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 The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA (AA), finds that good cause exists for this notification to be issued without affording prior notice and opportunity for public comment under 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B) because such notification would be impracticable. As previously noted, actual notice of the regulatory actions was provided to fishers through telephone hotline and radio notification. These actions comply with the requirements of the annual management measures for ocean salmon fisheries (80 FR 25611, May 5, 2015), the West Coast Salmon Fishery Management Plan (Salmon FMP), and regulations implementing the Salmon FMP, 50 CFR 660.409 and 660.411. Prior notice and opportunity for public comment was impracticable because NMFS and the state agencies had insufficient time to provide for prior notice and the opportunity for public comment between the time Chinook salmon catch and effort assessments and projections 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 available scientific information, [[Page 53018]] ensuring that conservation objectives and ESA consultation standards are not exceeded. The AA also finds good cause to waive the 30-day delay in effectiveness required under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3), as a delay in effectiveness of these actions would allow fishing at levels inconsistent with the goals of the Salmon FMP and the current management measures. These actions are authorized by 50 CFR 660.409 and 660.411 and are exempt from review under Executive Order 12866. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: August 28, 2015. Emily H. Menashes, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2015-21770 Filed 9-1-15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 170 / Wednesday, September 2, 2015 / Rules and Regulations 53015
prescribed under Part 581 of this regulations. This announcement also DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
chapter, if applicable, and furnish informs the public of the revised
certification to the Administrator commercial quota for each state National Oceanic and Atmospheric
pursuant to paragraph (e) of this section, involved. Administration
within 120 calendar days after such
DATES: Effective September 1, 2015, 50 CFR Part 660
entry. For each motor vehicle, the
through December 31, 2015.
Registered Importer must furnish to the [Docket No. 150316270–5270–01]
Secretary of Homeland Security at the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Reid
time of importation a bond in an Lichwell, Fishery Management RIN 0648–XE121
amount equal to 150 percent of the Specialist, (978) 281–9112.
dutiable value of the vehicle, as Fisheries Off West Coast States;
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
determined by the Secretary of Modifications of the West Coast
Regulations governing the bluefish
Homeland Security, to ensure that such Commercial and Recreational Salmon
fishery are found at 50 CFR part 648.
vehicle either will be brought into Fisheries; Inseason Actions #22
The regulations require annual
conformity with all applicable Federal through #29
specification of a commercial quota that
motor vehicle safety and bumper is apportioned among the coastal states AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries
standards or will be exported (at no cost from Florida through Maine. The Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
to the United States) by the importer or process to set the annual commercial Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
the Secretary of Homeland Security or quota and the percent allocated to each Commerce.
abandoned to the United States. state are described in § 648.162. ACTION: Modification of fishing seasons;
However, if the Registered Importer has The final rule implementing request for comments.
procured a continuous entry bond, it Amendment 1 to the Bluefish Fishery
must furnish the Administrator with Management Plan published in the SUMMARY: NMFS announces eight
such bond, and must furnish the Federal Register on July 26, 2000 (65 FR inseason actions in the ocean salmon
Secretary of Homeland Security (acting 45844), provided a mechanism for fisheries. These inseason actions
on behalf of the Administrator) with a transferring bluefish quota from one modified the commercial and
paper or electronic copy, in a format state to another. Two or more states, recreational salmon fisheries in the area
accepted by U.S. Customs and Border under mutual agreement and with the from the U.S./Canada border to the U.S./
Protection, of such bond at the time of concurrence of the Administrator, Mexico border.
importation of each motor vehicle. Greater Atlantic Region, NMFS DATES: The effective dates for the
* * * * * (Regional Administrator), can transfer or inseason actions are set out in this
Issued in Washington, DC, on August 25, combine bluefish commercial quota document under the heading Inseason
2015 under authority delegated in 49 CFR under § 648.162(e). The Regional Actions. Comments will be accepted
Part 1.95. Administrator is required to consider through September 17, 2015.
Mark R. Rosekind, the criteria in § 648.162(e) in the ADDRESSES: You may submit comments,
Administrator. evaluation of requests for quota transfers identified by NOAA–NMFS–2015–0001,
[FR Doc. 2015–21505 Filed 9–1–15; 8:45 am]
or combinations. by any one of the following methods:
North Carolina has agreed to transfer • Electronic Submissions: Submit all
BILLING CODE 4910–59–P
100,000 lb (45,359 kg), and Virginia electronic public comments via the
50,000 lb (22,680 kg) of their 2015 Federal eRulemaking Portal. Go to
commercial bluefish quotas to Rhode www.regulations.gov/
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Island. This transfer was requested by #!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2015-
state officials in Rhode Island to ensure 0001, click the ‘‘Comment Now!’’ icon,
National Oceanic and Atmospheric complete the required fields, and enter
Administration their commercial bluefish quota is not
exceeded. The Regional Administrator or attach your comments.
has determined that the criteria set forth • Mail: William W. Stelle, Jr.,
50 CFR Part 648 Regional Administrator, West Coast
in § 648.162(e)(1) are met and approves
[Docket No. 140117052–4402–02] these transfers. The revised bluefish Region, NMFS, 7600 Sand Point Way
quotas for calendar year 2015 are: North NE, Seattle, WA 98115–6349.
RIN 0648–XE096 Instructions: Comments sent by any
Carolina, 1,380,371 lb (626,126 kg);
Virginia, 422,629 lb (191,701 kg); and other method, to any other address or
Fisheries of the Northeastern United individual, or received after the end of
States; Atlantic Bluefish Fishery; Rhode Island 506,826 lb (229,892 kg),
based on quota defined in the final 2015 the comment period, may not be
Quota Transfer considered by NMFS. All comments
Atlantic Bluefish Specifications (80 FR
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries 46848, published on August 6, 2015). received are a part of the public record
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and and will generally be posted for public
Classification viewing on www.regulations.gov
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce. This action is taken under 50 CFR without change. All personal identifying
ACTION: Temporary rule; quota transfer. part 648 and is exempt from review information (e.g., name, address, etc.),
under Executive Order 12866. confidential business information, or
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with RULES
SUMMARY: NMFS approves the transfer otherwise sensitive information
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
of 2015 commercial Atlantic bluefish submitted voluntarily by the sender will
quota from the State of North Carolina Dated: August 27, 2015. be publicly accessible. NMFS will
and the Commonwealth of Virginia to Alan D. Risenhoover, accept anonymous comments (enter ‘‘N/
the State of Rhode Island. These Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, A’’ in the required fields if you wish to
transfers comply with the Bluefish National Marine Fisheries Service. remain anonymous).
Fishery Management Plan quota transfer [FR Doc. 2015–21638 Filed 9–1–15; 8:45 am] FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
provisions, specified in federal BILLING CODE 3510–22–P Peggy Mundy at 206–526–4323.
VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:00 Sep 01, 2015 Jkt 235001 PO 00000 Frm 00081 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\02SER1.SGM 02SER1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/80_FR_53185/page/1.svg)
![53018 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 170 / Wednesday, September 2, 2015 / Rules and Regulations
ensuring that conservation objectives levels inconsistent with the goals of the Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
and ESA consultation standards are not Salmon FMP and the current Dated: August 28, 2015.
exceeded. The AA also finds good cause management measures. Emily H. Menashes,
to waive the 30-day delay in These actions are authorized by 50 Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
effectiveness required under 5 U.S.C. CFR 660.409 and 660.411 and are Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
553(d)(3), as a delay in effectiveness of exempt from review under Executive [FR Doc. 2015–21770 Filed 9–1–15; 8:45 am]
these actions would allow fishing at Order 12866. BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with RULES
VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:00 Sep 01, 2015 Jkt 235001 PO 00000 Frm 00084 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 9990 E:\FR\FM\02SER1.SGM 02SER1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/80_FR_53185/page/4.svg)
Document Created: 2018-02-26 10:11:04
Document Modified: 2018-02-26 10:11:04
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Rules and Regulations | |
| Action | Modification of fishing seasons; request for comments. | |
| Dates | The effective dates for the inseason actions are set out in this document under the heading Inseason Actions. Comments will be accepted through September 17, 2015. | |
| Contact | Peggy Mundy at 206-526-4323. | |
| FR Citation | 80 FR 53015 | |
| RIN Number | 0648-XE12 |
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