80_FR_57924 80 FR 57738 - Fisheries Off West Coast States; Modifications of the West Coast Commercial and Recreational Salmon Fisheries; Inseason Actions #30 Through #36

80 FR 57738 - Fisheries Off West Coast States; Modifications of the West Coast Commercial and Recreational Salmon Fisheries; Inseason Actions #30 Through #36

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 186 (September 25, 2015)

Page Range57738-57740
FR Document2015-24442

NMFS announces seven 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 Cape Falcon, OR.

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 186 (Friday, September 25, 2015)
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 186 (Friday, September 25, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 57738-57740]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-24442]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 660

[Docket No. 150316270-5270-01]
RIN 0648-XE187


Fisheries Off West Coast States; Modifications of the West Coast 
Commercial and Recreational Salmon Fisheries; Inseason Actions #30 
Through #36

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Modification of fishing seasons; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: NMFS announces seven 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 Cape Falcon, OR.

DATES: The effective dates for the inseason actions are set out in this 
document under the heading Inseason Actions. Comments will be accepted 
through October 13, 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.

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 of Cape Falcon. The north of Cape Falcon area is 
further subdivided into four management subareas: Neah Bay Subarea 
(U.S./Canada border to Cape Alava, WA), La Push Subarea (Cape Alava, 
WA, to Queets River, WA), Westport Subarea (Queets River, WA, to 
Leadbetter Point, WA), and Columbia River Subarea (Leadbetter Point, 
WA, to Cape Falcon, OR). All times mentioned refer to Pacific daylight 
time.

Inseason Actions

Inseason Action #30

    Description of action: Inseason action #30 reduced the landing and 
possession limit for Chinook salmon in the commercial salmon fishery 
north of Cape Falcon from 40 to 35 Chinook salmon per vessel per open 
period. This action superseded inseason action #29 (80 FR 53015, 
September 2, 2015).
    Effective dates: Inseason action #30 took effect on August 28, 
2015, and remained in effect until superseded by inseason action #34 on 
September 4, 2015.

[[Page 57739]]

    Reason and authorization for the action: The Regional Administrator 
(RA) considered fishery effort and Chinook salmon landings to date, and 
determined that reducing the landing and possession limit at this time 
was necessary to maintain the season schedule set preseason, while 
allowing access to remaining Chinook salmon 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 
#30 occurred on August 27, 2015. Participants in this consultation were 
staff from NMFS, Council, WDFW, and ODFW.

Inseason Action #31

    Description of action: Inseason action #31 modified the daily bag 
limit in the recreational salmon fishery in the Columbia River Subarea 
to allow retention of two Chinook salmon per day; previously only one 
Chinook salmon could be retained.
    Effective dates: Inseason action #31 took effect on August 29, 
2015, and remains in effect until the end of the recreational salmon 
fishing season, or until superseded by further inseason action.
    Reason and authorization for the action: The RA considered fishery 
effort and Chinook salmon landings to date and determined that the 
subarea guideline had sufficient Chinook salmon available to increase 
the daily bag limit at this time without exceeding the guideline. 
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 
#31 occurred on August 27, 2015. Participants in this consultation were 
staff from NMFS, Council, WDFW, and ODFW.

Inseason Action #32

    Description of action: Inseason action #32 adjusted the remaining 
coho quota in the recreational salmon fishery north of Cape Falcon, on 
an impact-neutral basis by subarea, from mark-selective to non-mark-
selective. The adjusted non-mark-selective coho quotas by management 
subarea, as of the effective date, are:

 Neah Bay Subarea: 4,100
 La Push Subarea: 625
 Westport Subarea: 13,000
 Columbia River Subarea: 15,300

    Effective dates: Inseason action #32 took effect on September 4, 
2015, and remains in effect until the end of the 2015 recreational 
salmon fishery.
    Reason and authorization for the action: The annual management 
measures (80 FR 25611, May 5, 2015) provide for inseason action to 
modify the regulations that restrict retention of unmarked coho. To 
accommodate modifying the regulations from a mark-selective to non-
mark-selective coho fishery while still achieving management 
objectives, including not exceeding allowable impacts on constraining 
stocks, the Council's Salmon Technical Team (STT) calculated the 
necessary adjustments to the coho quota on an impact-neutral basis for 
the constraining stocks for each subarea. For the Neah Bay Subarea, 
impacts to the Thompson River (Canada) coho stock were most 
constraining. For the LaPush Subarea, impacts to Thompson River 
(Canada) and Queets River coho stocks were most constraining. For the 
Westport Subarea, impacts to Queets River coho were most constraining. 
For the Columbia River Subarea, impacts to Columbia River natural coho 
were most constraining. The RA approved the STT's impact-neutral 
conversion of the remaining recreational mark-selective coho quota to 
non-mark-selective coho quota. 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 
#32 occurred on September 2, 2015. Participants in this consultation 
were staff from NMFS, Council, WDFW, and ODFW.

Inseason Action #33

    Description of action: Inseason action #33 modified daily bag 
limits in the recreational salmon fishery north of Cape Falcon to allow 
retention of unmarked coho salmon.
    Effective dates: Inseason action #33 took effect on September 4, 
2015, and remains in effect until the end of the recreational salmon 
fishing season, or until superseded by further inseason action. The 
portion of this action that applies to the Neah Bay Subarea was 
superseded by inseason action #35 on September 11, 2015.
    Reason and authorization for the action: The annual management 
measures (80 FR 25611, May 5, 2015) provide for inseason action to 
modify the regulations that restrict retention of unmarked coho. The RA 
considered fishery effort, coho catch to date, and the non-mark-
selective quota conversions implemented under inseason action #32, and 
determined that modifying the fishery to allow retention of unmarked 
coho could be implemented within the allowable impacts on the 
constraining stocks and without exceeding the non-mark-selective coho 
quota. Inseason action to modify limited retention regulations is 
authorized by 50 CFR 660.409(b)(1)(i).
    Consultation date and participants: Consultation on inseason action 
#33 occurred on September 2, 2015. Participants in this consultation 
were staff from NMFS, Council, WDFW, and ODFW.

Inseason Action #34

    Description of action: Inseason action #34 increased the landing 
and possession limit for Chinook salmon in the commercial salmon 
fishery north of Cape Falcon from 35 to 40 Chinook salmon per vessel 
per open period. This action superseded inseason action #30.
    Effective dates: Inseason action #34 took effect on September 4, 
2015, and remains in effect until the end of the 2015 commercial salmon 
fishery, or until superseded by further inseason action.
    Reason and authorization for the action: The RA considered fishery 
effort and Chinook salmon landings to date, both of which decreased 
substantially since the implementation of inseason action #30, largely 
due to unfavorable weather conditions. The RA determined that 
increasing the landing and possession limit would allow access to 
remaining Chinook quota without exceeding the quota. 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 
#34 occurred on September 2, 2015. Participants in this consultation 
were staff from NMFS, Council, WDFW, and ODFW.

Inseason Action #35

    Description of action: Inseason action #35 reinstated the 
prohibition on retaining unmarked coho in the recreational salmon 
fishery in the Neah Bay Subarea. This action superseded that portion of 
inseason action #33 that applied to the Neah Bay Subarea.
    Effective dates: Inseason action #35 took effect on September 11, 
2015, and remains in effect through the end of the 2015 recreational 
salmon fishery, or until superseded by further inseason action.
    Reason and authorization for the action: The RA considered effort 
and coho landings to date, both of which increased dramatically in the 
Neah Bay Subarea after the implementation of inseason action #33. The 
RA determined that it was necessary to reinstate mark-selective coho 
regulations to avoid exceeding the coho quota in the Neah

[[Page 57740]]

Bay Subarea. Inseason action to modify limited retention regulations is 
authorized by 50 CFR 660.409(b)(1)(i).
    Consultation date and participants: Consultation on inseason action 
#35 occurred on September 9, 2015. Participants in this consultation 
were staff from NMFS, Council, WDFW, and ODFW.

Inseason Action #36

    Description of action: Inseason action #36 implemented an impact-
neutral quota trade between the commercial and recreational salmon 
fisheries north of Cape Falcon. The first part of the trade transferred 
3,000 mark-selective coho quota from the commercial fishery to the 
recreational fishery, which resulted in an addition of 1,700 mark-
selective coho recreational quota added to the Neah Bay Subarea on an 
impact-neutral basis. The second part of the trade transferred 1,500 
Chinook salmon from the recreational guidelines of the Westport and 
Columbia River Subareas, which resulted in an addition of 1,000 Chinook 
quota added to the commercial fishery south of Queets River.
    Effective dates: Inseason action #36 took effect on September 11, 
2015, and remains in effect until the end of the 2015 commercial and 
recreational salmon fisheries, or until modified by further inseason 
action.
    Reason and authorization for the action: The annual management 
measures (80 FR 25611, May 5, 2015) provide for quota transfers between 
the recreational and commercial salmon fisheries north of Cape Falcon 
if there is agreement among the areas' representatives on the Salmon 
Advisory Subpanel (SAS), and if the transfer would not result in 
exceeding the preseason impact expectations on any salmon stocks. The 
RA considered landings and effort to date and the recommendations of 
the SAS, and took this action to sustain fisheries while remaining 
within overall quotas and impacts to coho and Chinook salmon stocks. 
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 
#36 occurred on September 9, 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) and as modified 
by prior inseason actions.
    The RA determined that the best available information indicated 
that 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, 
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: September 22, 2015.
Emily H. Menashes,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-24442 Filed 9-24-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P



                                                57738            Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 186 / Friday, September 25, 2015 / Rules and Regulations

                                                List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 600                     DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE                                SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

                                                  Administrative practice and                           National Oceanic and Atmospheric                      Background
                                                procedure, Confidential business                        Administration                                           In the 2015 annual management
                                                information, Fisheries, Reporting and                                                                         measures for ocean salmon fisheries (80
                                                recordkeeping requirements.                             50 CFR Part 660                                       FR 25611, May 5, 2015), NMFS
                                                  Dated: September 21, 2015.                                                                                  announced the commercial and
                                                                                                        [Docket No. 150316270–5270–01]
                                                                                                                                                              recreational fisheries in the area from
                                                Samuel D. Rauch III,                                    RIN 0648–XE187                                        the U.S./Canada border to the U.S./
                                                Deputy Assistant Administrator for                                                                            Mexico border, beginning May 1, 2015,
                                                Regulatory Programs, National Marine                    Fisheries Off West Coast States;                      and 2016 salmon fisheries opening
                                                Fisheries Service.                                      Modifications of the West Coast                       earlier than May 1, 2016. NMFS is
                                                                                                        Commercial and Recreational Salmon                    authorized to implement inseason
                                                  For the reasons set out in the                        Fisheries; Inseason Actions #30
                                                preamble, NMFS amends 50 CFR part                                                                             management actions to modify fishing
                                                                                                        Through #36                                           seasons and quotas as necessary to
                                                600 as follows:
                                                                                                        AGENCY:  National Marine Fisheries                    provide fishing opportunity while
                                                PART 600—MAGNUSON-STEVENS                               Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and                  meeting management objectives for the
                                                ACT PROVISIONS                                          Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),                    affected species (50 CFR 660.409).
                                                                                                        Commerce.                                             Inseason actions in the salmon fishery
                                                ■ 1. The authority citation for part 600                ACTION: Modification of fishing seasons;
                                                                                                                                                              may be taken directly by NMFS (50 CFR
                                                                                                        request for comments.                                 660.409(a)—Fixed inseason
                                                continues to read as follows:
                                                                                                                                                              management provisions) or upon
                                                   Authority: 5 U.S.C 561 and 16 U.S.C. 1801            SUMMARY: NMFS announces seven                         consultation with the Pacific Fishery
                                                et seq.                                                 inseason actions in the ocean salmon                  Management Council (Council) and the
                                                                                                        fisheries. These inseason actions                     appropriate State Directors (50 CFR
                                                ■ 2. Section 600.155 is revised to read                                                                       660.409(b)—Flexible inseason
                                                                                                        modified the commercial and
                                                as follows:                                                                                                   management provisions). The state
                                                                                                        recreational salmon fisheries in the area
                                                § 600.155 Freedom of Information Act                    from the U.S./Canada border to Cape                   management agencies that participated
                                                (FOIA) requests.                                        Falcon, OR.                                           in the consultations described in this
                                                                                                        DATES: The effective dates for the                    document were: Oregon Department of
                                                  (a) FOIA requests received by a                                                                             Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) and
                                                                                                        inseason actions are set out in this
                                                Council should be coordinated                           document under the heading Inseason                   Washington Department of Fish and
                                                promptly with the appropriate NMFS                      Actions. Comments will be accepted                    Wildlife (WDFW).
                                                Regional Office. The Region will                        through October 13, 2015.                                Management of the salmon fisheries is
                                                forward the request to the NOAA FOIA                    ADDRESSES: You may submit comments,                   generally divided into two geographic
                                                Officer to secure a FOIA number and log                 identified by NOAA–NMFS–2015–0001,                    areas: north of Cape Falcon (U.S./
                                                the request into FOIAonline. The Region                 by any one of the following methods:                  Canada border to Cape Falcon, OR) and
                                                will also obtain clearance from the                        • Electronic Submissions: Submit all               south of Cape Falcon (Cape Falcon, OR,
                                                NOAA General Counsel’s Office                           electronic public comments via the                    to the U.S./Mexico border). The
                                                concerning initial determination for                    Federal eRulemaking Portal. Go to                     inseason actions reported in this
                                                denial of requested information.                        www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=                 document affect fisheries north of Cape
                                                                                                        NOAA-NMFS-2015-0001, click the                        Falcon. The north of Cape Falcon area
                                                  (b) FOIA request processing will be
                                                                                                        ‘‘Comment Now!’’ icon, complete the                   is further subdivided into four
                                                controlled and documented in the
                                                                                                        required fields, and enter or attach your             management subareas: Neah Bay
                                                Region. The requests should be                                                                                Subarea (U.S./Canada border to Cape
                                                forwarded to the NOAA FOIA Officer                      comments.
                                                                                                           • Mail: William W. Stelle, Jr.,                    Alava, WA), La Push Subarea (Cape
                                                who will enter the request into                                                                               Alava, WA, to Queets River, WA),
                                                FOIAonline. The request will be                         Regional Administrator, West Coast
                                                                                                        Region, NMFS, 7600 Sand Point Way                     Westport Subarea (Queets River, WA, to
                                                assigned an official FOIA number and                                                                          Leadbetter Point, WA), and Columbia
                                                                                                        NE., Seattle WA 98115–6349.
                                                due date. In the event the Region                          Instructions: Comments sent by any                 River Subarea (Leadbetter Point, WA, to
                                                determines that the requested                           other method, to any other address or                 Cape Falcon, OR). All times mentioned
                                                information is exempt from disclosure,                  individual, or received after the end of              refer to Pacific daylight time.
                                                in full or in part, under the FOIA, the                 the comment period, may not be
                                                denial letter prepared for the Assistant                                                                      Inseason Actions
                                                                                                        considered by NMFS. All comments
                                                Administrator’s signature, along with                   received are a part of the public record              Inseason Action #30
                                                the ‘‘Foreseeable Harm’’ Memo and list                  and will generally be posted for public                 Description of action: Inseason action
                                                of documents to be withheld, must be                    viewing on www.regulations.gov                        #30 reduced the landing and possession
                                                cleared through the NMFS FOIA                           without change. All personal identifying              limit for Chinook salmon in the
                                                Liaison. Upon completion, a copy of the                 information (e.g., name, address, etc.),              commercial salmon fishery north of
                                                signed letter transmitting the                          confidential business information, or                 Cape Falcon from 40 to 35 Chinook
                                                information to the requester should be                  otherwise sensitive information                       salmon per vessel per open period. This
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with RULES




                                                posted to FOIAonline by NMFS.                           submitted voluntarily by the sender will              action superseded inseason action #29
                                                [FR Doc. 2015–24364 Filed 9–24–15; 8:45 am]             be publicly accessible. NMFS will                     (80 FR 53015, September 2, 2015).
                                                BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
                                                                                                        accept anonymous comments (enter                        Effective dates: Inseason action #30
                                                                                                        ‘‘N/A’’ in the required fields if you wish            took effect on August 28, 2015, and
                                                                                                        to remain anonymous).                                 remained in effect until superseded by
                                                                                                        FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:                      inseason action #34 on September 4,
                                                                                                        Peggy Mundy at 206–526–4323.                          2015.


                                           VerDate Sep<11>2014   18:56 Sep 24, 2015   Jkt 235001   PO 00000   Frm 00046   Fmt 4700   Sfmt 4700   E:\FR\FM\25SER1.SGM   25SER1


                                                                 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 186 / Friday, September 25, 2015 / Rules and Regulations                                      57739

                                                   Reason and authorization for the                        Reason and authorization for the                   impacts on the constraining stocks and
                                                action: The Regional Administrator (RA)                 action: The annual management                         without exceeding the non-mark-
                                                considered fishery effort and Chinook                   measures (80 FR 25611, May 5, 2015)                   selective coho quota. Inseason action to
                                                salmon landings to date, and                            provide for inseason action to modify                 modify limited retention regulations is
                                                determined that reducing the landing                    the regulations that restrict retention of            authorized by 50 CFR 660.409(b)(1)(i).
                                                and possession limit at this time was                   unmarked coho. To accommodate                           Consultation date and participants:
                                                necessary to maintain the season                        modifying the regulations from a mark-                Consultation on inseason action #33
                                                schedule set preseason, while allowing                  selective to non-mark-selective coho                  occurred on September 2, 2015.
                                                access to remaining Chinook salmon                      fishery while still achieving                         Participants in this consultation were
                                                quota without exceeding the quota.                      management objectives, including not                  staff from NMFS, Council, WDFW, and
                                                Inseason action to modify quotas and/or                 exceeding allowable impacts on                        ODFW.
                                                fishing seasons is authorized by 50 CFR                 constraining stocks, the Council’s
                                                                                                                                                              Inseason Action #34
                                                660.409(b)(1)(i).                                       Salmon Technical Team (STT)
                                                   Consultation date and participants:                  calculated the necessary adjustments to                 Description of action: Inseason action
                                                Consultation on inseason action #30                     the coho quota on an impact-neutral                   #34 increased the landing and
                                                occurred on August 27, 2015.                            basis for the constraining stocks for each            possession limit for Chinook salmon in
                                                Participants in this consultation were                  subarea. For the Neah Bay Subarea,                    the commercial salmon fishery north of
                                                staff from NMFS, Council, WDFW, and                     impacts to the Thompson River                         Cape Falcon from 35 to 40 Chinook
                                                ODFW.                                                   (Canada) coho stock were most                         salmon per vessel per open period. This
                                                                                                        constraining. For the LaPush Subarea,                 action superseded inseason action #30.
                                                Inseason Action #31                                                                                             Effective dates: Inseason action #34
                                                                                                        impacts to Thompson River (Canada)
                                                  Description of action: Inseason action                and Queets River coho stocks were most                took effect on September 4, 2015, and
                                                #31 modified the daily bag limit in the                 constraining. For the Westport Subarea,               remains in effect until the end of the
                                                recreational salmon fishery in the                      impacts to Queets River coho were most                2015 commercial salmon fishery, or
                                                Columbia River Subarea to allow                         constraining. For the Columbia River                  until superseded by further inseason
                                                retention of two Chinook salmon per                     Subarea, impacts to Columbia River                    action.
                                                day; previously only one Chinook                        natural coho were most constraining.                    Reason and authorization for the
                                                salmon could be retained.                               The RA approved the STT’s impact-                     action: The RA considered fishery effort
                                                  Effective dates: Inseason action #31                  neutral conversion of the remaining                   and Chinook salmon landings to date,
                                                took effect on August 29, 2015, and                     recreational mark-selective coho quota                both of which decreased substantially
                                                remains in effect until the end of the                  to non-mark-selective coho quota.                     since the implementation of inseason
                                                recreational salmon fishing season, or                  Modification of quotas and/or fishing                 action #30, largely due to unfavorable
                                                until superseded by further inseason                    seasons is authorized by 50 CFR                       weather conditions. The RA determined
                                                action.                                                 660.409(b)(1)(i).                                     that increasing the landing and
                                                  Reason and authorization for the                         Consultation date and participants:                possession limit would allow access to
                                                action: The RA considered fishery effort                Consultation on inseason action #32                   remaining Chinook quota without
                                                and Chinook salmon landings to date                     occurred on September 2, 2015.                        exceeding the quota. Modification of
                                                and determined that the subarea                         Participants in this consultation were                quotas and/or fishing seasons is
                                                guideline had sufficient Chinook                        staff from NMFS, Council, WDFW, and                   authorized by 50 CFR 660.409(b)(1)(i).
                                                salmon available to increase the daily                  ODFW.                                                   Consultation date and participants:
                                                bag limit at this time without exceeding                                                                      Consultation on inseason action #34
                                                the guideline. Inseason action to modify                Inseason Action #33
                                                                                                                                                              occurred on September 2, 2015.
                                                recreational bag limits is authorized by                   Description of action: Inseason action             Participants in this consultation were
                                                50 CFR 660.409(b)(1)(iii).                              #33 modified daily bag limits in the                  staff from NMFS, Council, WDFW, and
                                                  Consultation date and participants:                   recreational salmon fishery north of                  ODFW.
                                                Consultation on inseason action #31                     Cape Falcon to allow retention of
                                                occurred on August 27, 2015.                            unmarked coho salmon.                                 Inseason Action #35
                                                Participants in this consultation were                     Effective dates: Inseason action #33                 Description of action: Inseason action
                                                staff from NMFS, Council, WDFW, and                     took effect on September 4, 2015, and                 #35 reinstated the prohibition on
                                                ODFW.                                                   remains in effect until the end of the                retaining unmarked coho in the
                                                                                                        recreational salmon fishing season, or                recreational salmon fishery in the Neah
                                                Inseason Action #32                                     until superseded by further inseason                  Bay Subarea. This action superseded
                                                  Description of action: Inseason action                action. The portion of this action that               that portion of inseason action #33 that
                                                #32 adjusted the remaining coho quota                   applies to the Neah Bay Subarea was                   applied to the Neah Bay Subarea.
                                                in the recreational salmon fishery north                superseded by inseason action #35 on                    Effective dates: Inseason action #35
                                                of Cape Falcon, on an impact-neutral                    September 11, 2015.                                   took effect on September 11, 2015, and
                                                basis by subarea, from mark-selective to                   Reason and authorization for the                   remains in effect through the end of the
                                                non-mark-selective. The adjusted non-                   action: The annual management                         2015 recreational salmon fishery, or
                                                mark-selective coho quotas by                           measures (80 FR 25611, May 5, 2015)                   until superseded by further inseason
                                                management subarea, as of the effective                 provide for inseason action to modify                 action.
                                                date, are:                                              the regulations that restrict retention of              Reason and authorization for the
                                                • Neah Bay Subarea: 4,100                               unmarked coho. The RA considered                      action: The RA considered effort and
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                                                • La Push Subarea: 625                                  fishery effort, coho catch to date, and               coho landings to date, both of which
                                                • Westport Subarea: 13,000                              the non-mark-selective quota                          increased dramatically in the Neah Bay
                                                • Columbia River Subarea: 15,300                        conversions implemented under                         Subarea after the implementation of
                                                  Effective dates: Inseason action #32                  inseason action #32, and determined                   inseason action #33. The RA determined
                                                took effect on September 4, 2015, and                   that modifying the fishery to allow                   that it was necessary to reinstate mark-
                                                remains in effect until the end of the                  retention of unmarked coho could be                   selective coho regulations to avoid
                                                2015 recreational salmon fishery.                       implemented within the allowable                      exceeding the coho quota in the Neah


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                                                57740            Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 186 / Friday, September 25, 2015 / Rules and Regulations

                                                Bay Subarea. Inseason action to modify                  landings and effort to date and the                   notification would be impracticable. As
                                                limited retention regulations is                        recommendations of the SAS, and took                  previously noted, actual notice of the
                                                authorized by 50 CFR 660.409(b)(1)(i).                  this action to sustain fisheries while                regulatory actions was provided to
                                                  Consultation date and participants:                   remaining within overall quotas and                   fishers through telephone hotline and
                                                Consultation on inseason action #35                     impacts to coho and Chinook salmon                    radio notification. These actions comply
                                                occurred on September 9, 2015.                          stocks. Inseason action to modify quotas              with the requirements of the annual
                                                Participants in this consultation were                  and/or fishing seasons is authorized by               management measures for ocean salmon
                                                staff from NMFS, Council, WDFW, and                     50 CFR 660.409(b)(1)(i).                              fisheries (80 FR 25611, May 5, 2015),
                                                ODFW.                                                      Consultation date and participants:                the West Coast Salmon Fishery
                                                                                                        Consultation on inseason action #36                   Management Plan (Salmon FMP), and
                                                Inseason Action #36
                                                                                                        occurred on September 9, 2015.                        regulations implementing the Salmon
                                                   Description of action: Inseason action               Participants in this consultation were                FMP, 50 CFR 660.409 and 660.411. Prior
                                                #36 implemented an impact-neutral                       staff from NMFS, Council, WDFW, and                   notice and opportunity for public
                                                quota trade between the commercial and                  ODFW.                                                 comment was impracticable because
                                                recreational salmon fisheries north of                     All other restrictions and regulations             NMFS and the state agencies had
                                                Cape Falcon. The first part of the trade                remain in effect as announced for the                 insufficient time to provide for prior
                                                transferred 3,000 mark-selective coho                   2015 ocean salmon fisheries and 2016                  notice and the opportunity for public
                                                quota from the commercial fishery to                    salmon fisheries opening prior to May 1,              comment between the time Chinook
                                                the recreational fishery, which resulted                2016 (80 FR 25611, May 5, 2015) and as                salmon catch and effort assessments and
                                                in an addition of 1,700 mark-selective                  modified by prior inseason actions.                   projections were developed and
                                                coho recreational quota added to the                       The RA determined that the best                    fisheries impacts were calculated, and
                                                Neah Bay Subarea on an impact-neutral                   available information indicated that                  the time the fishery modifications had
                                                basis. The second part of the trade                     coho and Chinook salmon catch to date                 to be implemented in order to ensure
                                                transferred 1,500 Chinook salmon from                   and fishery effort supported the above                that fisheries are managed based on the
                                                the recreational guidelines of the                      inseason actions recommended by the                   best available scientific information,
                                                Westport and Columbia River Subareas,                   states of Washington and Oregon. The                  ensuring that conservation objectives
                                                which resulted in an addition of 1,000                  states manage the fisheries in state                  and ESA consultation standards are not
                                                Chinook quota added to the commercial                   waters adjacent to the areas of the U.S.              exceeded. The AA also finds good cause
                                                fishery south of Queets River.                          exclusive economic zone in accordance                 to waive the 30-day delay in
                                                   Effective dates: Inseason action #36                 with these Federal actions. As provided               effectiveness required under 5 U.S.C.
                                                took effect on September 11, 2015, and                  by the inseason notice procedures of 50               553(d)(3), as a delay in effectiveness of
                                                remains in effect until the end of the                  CFR 660.411, actual notice of the                     these actions would allow fishing at
                                                2015 commercial and recreational                        described regulatory actions was given,               levels inconsistent with the goals of the
                                                salmon fisheries, or until modified by                  prior to the time the action was                      Salmon FMP and the current
                                                further inseason action.                                effective, by telephone hotline numbers               management measures.
                                                   Reason and authorization for the                     206–526–6667 and 800–662–9825, and                       These actions are authorized by 50
                                                action: The annual management                           by U.S. Coast Guard Notice to Mariners                CFR 660.409 and 660.411 and are
                                                measures (80 FR 25611, May 5, 2015)                     broadcasts on Channel 16 VHF–FM and                   exempt from review under Executive
                                                provide for quota transfers between the                 2182 kHz.                                             Order 12866.
                                                recreational and commercial salmon                                                                              Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
                                                fisheries north of Cape Falcon if there is              Classification
                                                agreement among the areas’                                 The Assistant Administrator for                      Dated: September 22, 2015.
                                                representatives on the Salmon Advisory                  Fisheries, NOAA (AA), finds that good                 Emily H. Menashes,
                                                Subpanel (SAS), and if the transfer                     cause exists for this notification to be              Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
                                                would not result in exceeding the                       issued without affording prior notice                 Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
                                                preseason impact expectations on any                    and opportunity for public comment                    [FR Doc. 2015–24442 Filed 9–24–15; 8:45 am]
                                                salmon stocks. The RA considered                        under 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B) because such                 BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
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Document Created: 2018-02-26 10:20:06
Document Modified: 2018-02-26 10:20:06
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionRules and Regulations
ActionModification of fishing seasons; request for comments.
DatesThe effective dates for the inseason actions are set out in this document under the heading Inseason Actions. Comments will be accepted through October 13, 2015.
ContactPeggy Mundy at 206-526-4323.
FR Citation80 FR 57738 
RIN Number0648-XE18

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