83_FR_63824 83 FR 63587 - Fisheries Off West Coast States; Modifications of the West Coast Recreational and Commercial Salmon Fisheries; Inseason Actions #12 through #37

83 FR 63587 - Fisheries Off West Coast States; Modifications of the West Coast Recreational and Commercial Salmon Fisheries; Inseason Actions #12 through #37

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 237 (December 11, 2018)

Page Range63587-63593
FR Document2018-26720

NMFS announces 26 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.

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 237 (Tuesday, December 11, 2018)
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 237 (Tuesday, December 11, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 63587-63593]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-26720]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 660

[Docket No. 170831849-8404-01]
RIN 0648-XG563


Fisheries Off West Coast States; Modifications of the West Coast 
Recreational and Commercial Salmon Fisheries; Inseason Actions #12 
through #37

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

ACTION: Modification of fishing seasons.

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SUMMARY: NMFS announces 26 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.

[[Page 63588]]


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Peggy Mundy at 206-526-4323.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    In the 2018 annual management measures for ocean salmon fisheries 
(83 FR 19005, May 1, 2018), NMFS announced management measures for the 
commercial and recreational fisheries in the area from the U.S./Canada 
border to the U.S./Mexico border, beginning May 1, 2018, through April 
30, 2019. 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: California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), 
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW), and Washington 
Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW).

Management Areas

    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). Within the north and south of Cape Falcon areas, there 
are further subarea divisions used to manage impacts on salmon stocks 
or stock groups as well as economic impacts to communities. The 
management areas affected by the inseason actions in this document are 
described here.
    North of Cape Falcon: Recreational fisheries north of Cape Falcon 
are divided into four subareas: U.S./Canada border to Cape Alava, WA 
(Neah Bay subarea), Cape Alava, WA, to Queets River, WA (La Push 
subarea), Queets River, WA, to Leadbetter Point, WA (Westport subarea), 
and Leadbetter Point, WA, to Cape Falcon, OR (Columbia River subarea). 
Commercial fisheries north of Cape Falcon are divided at Queets River, 
WA, and Leadbetter Point, WA.
    South of Cape Falcon: South of Cape Falcon, the area from Humbug 
Mountain, OR, to Horse Mountain, CA, is the Klamath Management Zone 
(KMZ) and is managed in two subareas, Oregon KMZ and California KMZ, 
divided at the Oregon/California border. The Oregon KMZ is the area 
from Humbug Mountain, OR, to the Oregon/California border. The 
California KMZ is the area from the Oregon/California border to Horse 
Mountain, CA. However, the area from Humboldt South Jetty, CA, to Horse 
Mountain, CA, has been closed to commercial salmon fishing since 1992.

Inseason Actions

Inseason Action #12

    Description of the action: Inseason action #12 adjusted the daily 
bag limit in the recreational salmon fishery in the Neah Bay subarea to 
allow retention of two Chinook salmon. Previously, the two salmon per 
day bag limit in this fishery allowed retention of only one Chinook 
salmon.
    Effective dates: Inseason action #12 took effect on July 14, 2018, 
and remained in effect until the recreational fishery in the Neah Bay 
subarea closed for the season under inseason action #24 on August 12, 
2018.
    Reason and authorization for the action: The purpose of this action 
was to allow greater access to the available Chinook salmon quota in 
the recreational fishery. The NMFS West Coast Regional Administrator 
(RA) considered Chinook and coho salmon landings and fishery effort in 
the Neah Bay subarea and determined that this inseason action was 
necessary to meet management objectives set preseason. Inseason 
modification of recreational bag limits is authorized by 50 CFR 
660.409(b)(1)(iii).
    Consultation date and participants: Consultation on inseason action 
#12 occurred on July 12, 2018. Representatives from NMFS, WDFW, ODFW, 
and the Council participated in this consultation.

Inseason Action #13

    Description of the action: Inseason action #13 suspended retention 
of Pacific halibut caught incidental to the commercial salmon fishery 
from the U.S./Canada border to the U.S./Mexico border.
    Effective dates: Inseason action #13 took effect at 11:59 p.m., 
July 14, 2018, and remained in effect until superseded by inseason 
action #15 on July 26, 2018.
    Reason and authorization for the action: The purpose of this action 
was to avoid exceeding the allocation of Pacific halibut allowed to be 
retained in the commercial salmon fishery. The RA considered Chinook 
salmon and Pacific halibut landings and fishery effort in the 
commercial salmon fishery and determined that the fishery was at risk 
of exceeding the allocation of Pacific halibut if retention continued 
at the current rate. Retention of Pacific halibut was suspended by 
inseason action to allow the states to update landings data and 
determine the amount of Pacific halibut allocation that remained. The 
annual management measures require NMFS to take inseason action to 
prohibit retention of Pacific halibut in the commercial salmon fishery 
if the landings are projected to exceed the preseason allocation (83 FR 
19005, May 1, 2018). Modification of the species that may be caught and 
landed during specific seasons is authorized by 50 CFR 
660.409(b)(1)(ii).
    Consultation date and participants: Consultation on inseason action 
#13 occurred on July 13, 2018. Representatives from NMFS, WDFW, ODFW, 
CDFW, and the Council participated in this consultation.

Inseason Action #14

    Description of the action: Inseason action #14 adjusted the landing 
and possession limit for the commercial salmon fishery in the 
California KMZ from 20 Chinook salmon per day to 40 Chinook salmon per 
day.
    Effective dates: Inseason action #14 took effect on July 20, 2018 
and remained in effect through July 31, 2013.
    Reason and authorization for the action: The purpose of inseason 
action #14 was to allow greater access to available Chinook salmon 
quota for July in the commercial salmon fishery in the California KMZ; 
this fishery had monthly Chinook salmon quotas from May through August 
in 2018. The RA considered Chinook salmon landings and fishery effort 
and determined that inseason action was necessary to meet management 
objectives set preseason. Inseason action to modify limited retention 
regulations is authorized by 50 CFR 660.409(b)(1)(ii).
    Consultation date and participants: Consultation on inseason action 
#14 occurred on July 17, 2018. Representatives from NMFS, ODFW, CDFW, 
and the Council participated in this consultation.

Inseason Action #15

    Description of the action: Inseason action #15 allowed retention of 
Pacific halibut caught incidental to the commercial salmon fishery to 
resume from the U.S./Canada border to the U.S./Mexico border with 
revised landing and possession limits of no more than one Pacific 
halibut per each three Chinook salmon, except one Pacific halibut could 
be possessed or landed without meeting

[[Page 63589]]

the ratio requirement, and no more than 10 halibut could be possessed 
or landed per trip.
    Effective dates: Inseason action #15 took effect on July 26, 2018, 
superseding inseason action #13, above. Inseason action #15 remained in 
effect until superseded by inseason action #22 on August 8, 2018.
    Reason and authorization for the action: The purpose of inseason 
action #15 was to allow access to the remaining allocation of Pacific 
halibut without exceeding the allocation. The RA considered Pacific 
halibut and Chinook salmon landings to date and fishery effort and 
determined that inseason action was needed to meet management 
objectives set preseason. Modification of the species that may be 
caught and landed during specific seasons is authorized by 50 CFR 
660.409(b)(1)(ii).
    Consultation date and participants: Consultation on inseason action 
#15 occurred on July 24, 2018. Representatives from NMFS, WDFW, ODFW, 
CDFW, and the Council participated in this consultation.

Inseason Action #16

    Description of the action: Inseason action #16 adjusted the landing 
and possession limit in the commercial salmon fishery in the areas from 
the U.S./Canada border to Queets River, WA, and from Leadbetter Point, 
WA, to Cape Falcon, OR, from 50 to 75 Chinook salmon per vessel per 
landing week.
    Effective dates: Inseason action #16 took effect on July 26, 2018, 
and remained in effect until superseded by inseason action #18 on 
August 2, 2018, which affected the area from the U.S./Canada border to 
Queets River, and inseason action #31 on August 23, 2018, which 
affected the area from Leadbetter Point, OR to Cape Falcon, OR.
    Reason and authorization for the action: The purpose of inseason 
action #16 was to allow greater access to available Chinook salmon 
quota in the commercial salmon fishery. The RA considered Chinook 
salmon landings to date and fishery effort and determined that inseason 
action was necessary to meet management objectives set preseason. 
Inseason action to modify limited retention regulations is authorized 
by 50 CFR 660.409(b)(1)(ii).
    Consultation date and participants: Consultation on inseason action 
#16 occurred on July 24, 2018. Representatives from NMFS, WDFW, ODFW, 
and the Council participated in this consultation.

Inseason Action #17

    Description of the action: Inseason action #17 transferred quota of 
1,000 coho from the commercial salmon fishery in the area north of Cape 
Falcon, OR, to the recreational fishery in the Neah Bay subarea. This 
action included the provision that, when the recreational fishery in 
the Neah Bay subarea closed for the season, any remaining Chinook quota 
from that fishery would be transferred to the commercial fishery on an 
impact-neutral basis to complete the trade (see inseason action #28, 
below).
    Effective dates: Inseason action #17 took effect on July 24, 2018, 
and remained in effect through August 12, 2018, when the recreational 
fishery in the Neah Bay subarea closed for the season under inseason 
action #24.
    Reason and authorization for the action: The purpose of inseason 
action #17 was to prolong the recreational salmon season in Neah Bay, 
which was scheduled preseason to remain open until September 3, 2018, 
and to utilize available coho and Chinook salmon quota. The RA 
considered Chinook salmon and coho landings to date and fishery effort 
and determined that inseason was necessary to keep the recreational 
fishery in Neah Bay open and meet management objectives set preseason. 
Inseason trades and transfers of quota between commercial and 
recreational fisheries north of Cape Falcon, OR, are authorized by 50 
CFR 660.408(d)(1)(vi). Inseason action to modify quotas or fishing 
seasons is authorized by 50 CFR 660.409(b)(1)(i).
    Consultation date and participants: Consultation on inseason action 
#17 occurred on July 24, 2018. Representatives from NMFS, WDFW, ODFW, 
and the Council participated in this consultation.

Inseason Action #18

    Description of the action: Inseason action #18 adjusted the landing 
and possession limit in the commercial salmon fishery in the area from 
the U.S./Canada border to Queets River, WA, from 75 to 50 Chinook 
salmon per vessel per landing week.
    Effective dates: Inseason action #18 took effect August 2, 2018, 
and remained in effect until superseded by inseason action #30 on 
August 23, 2018.
    Reason and authorization for the action: The purpose of the 
proposed action was to keep commercial Chinook salmon landings in the 
affected area within the quota set preseason. The RA considered Chinook 
salmon landings to date and fishery effort and determined that inseason 
action was necessary to meet management objectives set preseason. 
Inseason action to modify limited retention regulations is authorized 
by 50 CFR 660.409(b)(1)(ii).
    Consultation date and participants: Consultation on inseason action 
#18 occurred on August 1, 2018. Representatives from NMFS, WDFW, ODFW, 
and the Council participated in this consultation.

Inseason Action #19

    Description of the action: Inseason action #19 adjusted the August 
quota in the commercial salmon fishery in the California KMZ to account 
for an impact-neutral rollover of unused July quota. The August quota 
was adjusted from 4,000 Chinook salmon to 9,423 Chinook salmon.
    Effective dates: Inseason action #19 took effect on August 2, 2018, 
and remained in effect through August 31, 2018.
    Reason and authorization for the action: The purpose of inseason 
action #19 was to be consistent with the annual management measures, 
which state that any remaining portion of a monthly Chinook salmon 
quota in the commercial salmon fishery in the California KMZ may be 
transferred inseason on an impact-neutral basis to the next open quota 
period (83 FR 19005, May 1, 2018). The RA considered Chinook salmon 
landings to date and the calculations of the Council's Salmon Technical 
Team (STT) for rolling over quota on an impact-neutral basis for 
impacts to Sacramento and Klamath River fall-run Chinook salmon stocks, 
and fifty-fifty tribal/nontribal sharing of Klamath River fall-run 
Chinook salmon allowable catch. The RA determined inseason action was 
necessary to meet management objectives set preseason. Inseason action 
to modify quotas is authorized by 50 CFR 660.409(b)(1)(i).
    Consultation date and participants: Consultation on inseason action 
#19 occurred on August 2, 2018. Representatives from NMFS, CDFW, ODFW, 
and the Council participated in this consultation.

Inseason Action #20

    Description of the action: Inseason action #20 adjusted the landing 
and possession limit in the commercial salmon fishery in the California 
KMZ from 20 to 50 Chinook per vessel per day.
    Effective dates: Inseason action #20 took effect August 3, 2018, 
and remained in effect through the end of the season on August 31, 
2018.
    Reason and authorization for the action: The purpose of inseason 
action #20 was to provide greater access to

[[Page 63590]]

available quota. The RA considered catch of Chinook salmon to date and 
fishery effort, as well as the available quota and limited remaining 
time for the fishery, which was scheduled to close at the end of 
August, and determined that inseason action was necessary to meet 
management objectives set preseason. Inseason action to modify limited 
retention regulations is authorized by 50 CFR 660.409(b)(1)(ii).
    Consultation date and participants: Consultation on inseason action 
#20 occurred on August 2, 2018. Representatives from NMFS, CDFW, ODFW, 
and the Council participated in this consultation.

Inseason Action #21

    Description of the action: Inseason action #21 adjusted the August 
quota in the commercial salmon fishery in the Oregon KMZ to account for 
an impact-neutral rollover of unused July quota. The August quota was 
adjusted from 500 Chinook salmon to 1,430 Chinook salmon.
    Effective dates: Inseason action #21 took effect on August 2, 2018, 
and remained in effect through the end of the season on August 29, 
2018.
    Reason and authorization for the action: The purpose of inseason 
action #21 was to be consistent with the annual management measures, 
which state that any remaining portion of a monthly Chinook salmon 
quota in the commercial salmon fishery in the Oregon KMZ may be 
transferred inseason on an impact neutral basis to the next open quota 
period (83 FR 19005, May 1, 2018). The RA considered Chinook salmon 
landings to date and the calculations of the Council's Salmon Technical 
Team (STT) for rolling over quota on an impact-neutral basis for 
impacts to Sacramento and Klamath River fall-run Chinook salmon stocks, 
and fifty-fifty tribal/nontribal sharing of Klamath River fall-run 
Chinook salmon allowable catch. The RA determined inseason action was 
necessary to meet management objectives set preseason. Inseason action 
to modify quotas is authorized by 50 CFR 660.409(b)(1)(i).
    Consultation date and participants: Consultation on inseason action 
#20 occurred on August 2, 2018. Representatives from NMFS, CDFW, ODFW, 
and the Council participated in this consultation.

Inseason Action #22

    Description of the action: Inseason action #22 closed retention of 
Pacific halibut caught incidental to the commercial salmon fishery from 
the U.S./Canada border to the U.S./Mexico border.
    Effective dates: Inseason action #22 took effect on August 8, 2018 
and remains in effect until all commercial salmon fisheries conclude 
for 2018.
    Reason and authorization for the action: The purpose of inseason 
action #22 was to prevent exceeding the 2018 allocation of Pacific 
halibut to the commercial salmon fishery. The RA considered Pacific 
halibut and salmon landings to date and fishery effort and determined 
that there was insufficient Pacific halibut allocation remaining to 
allow retention to continue and inseason action was required to avoid 
exceeding the Pacific halibut allocation. The annual management 
measures require NMFS to take inseason action to prohibit retention of 
Pacific halibut in the commercial salmon fishery if the landings are 
projected to exceed the preseason allocation (83 FR 19005, May 1, 
2018).
    Consultation date and participants: Consultation on inseason action 
#22 occurred on August 8, 2018. Representatives from NMFS, WDFW, ODFW, 
and the Council participated in this consultation. NMFS notified CDFW 
of the action immediately after the consultation.

Inseason Action #23

    Description of the action: Inseason action #23 transferred 3,000 
coho quota to the recreational salmon fishery in the Columbia River 
subarea. The coho quota transferred comprised 2,400 coho quota from the 
commercial salmon fishery in the area north of Cape Falcon, OR, and 600 
coho quota from the recreational salmon fishery in the Westport 
subarea.
    Effective dates: Inseason action #23 took effect on August 8, 2018, 
and remained in effect until reversed by inseason action #27 on August 
23, 2018.
    Reason and authorization for the action: The purpose of inseason 
action #23 was to prolong the Columbia River subarea recreational 
salmon fishery, which was scheduled to remain open through September 3, 
2018, but which was exhausting its coho quota. The RA considered coho 
and Chinook salmon landings to date and fishery effort and determined 
that inseason action was necessary to meet the management objectives 
set preseason. Inseason trades and transfers of quota between 
commercial and recreational fisheries north of Cape Falcon, OR, are 
authorized by 50 CFR 660.408(d)(1)(vi). Inseason action to modify 
quotas is authorized by 50 CFR 660.409(b)(1)(i).
    Consultation date and participants: Consultation on inseason action 
#23 occurred on August 8, 2018. Representatives from NMFS, WDFW, ODFW, 
and the Council participated in this consultation.

Inseason Action #24

    Description of the action: Inseason action #24 closed the 
recreational salmon fishery in the Neah Bay subarea.
    Effective dates: Inseason action #24 took effect on August 12, 
2018, and remained in effect through the end of the 2018 ocean salmon 
season.
    Reason and authorization for the action: The purpose inseason 
action #24 was to prevent exceeding the subarea quota for coho. The RA 
considered coho and Chinook salmon landings and fishery effort and 
determined that inseason action was necessary to close the fishery 
ahead of the scheduled date of September 3, 2018, to avoid exceeding 
the coho quota for the subarea. Inseason action to modify fishing 
seasons is authorized by 50 CFR 660.409(b)(1)(i).
    Consultation date and participants: Consultation on inseason action 
#24 occurred on August 8, 2018. Representatives from NMFS, WDFW, ODFW, 
and the Council participated in this consultation.

Inseason Action #25

    Description of the action: Inseason action #25 closed the 
recreational salmon fishery in the Columbia River subarea.
    Effective dates: Inseason action #25 took effect on August 12, 
2018, and remained in effect until superseded by inseason action #34 on 
September 2, 2018.
    Reason and authorization for the action: The purpose inseason 
action #25 was to prevent exceeding the subarea quota for coho. The RA 
considered coho and Chinook salmon landings and fishery effort and 
determined that inseason action was necessary to close the fishery 
ahead of the scheduled date of September 3, 2018, to avoid exceeding 
the coho quota for the subarea. Inseason action to modify fishing 
seasons is authorized by 50 CFR 660.409(b)(1)(i).
    Consultation date and participants: Consultation on inseason action 
#25 occurred on August 8, 2018. Representatives from NMFS, WDFW, ODFW, 
and the Council participated in this consultation.

Inseason Action #26

    Description of the action: Inseason action #26 adjusted the landing 
and possession limit in the commercial salmon fishery in the Oregon KMZ 
from 50 to 80 Chinook salmon per vessel per landing week.

[[Page 63591]]

    Effective dates: Inseason action #26 took effect on August 13, 
2018, and remained in effect until the fishery closed on August 29, 
2018.
    Reason and authorization for the action: The purpose of inseason 
action #26 was to provide greater access to available Chinook salmon 
quota. The RA considered Chinook salmon landings to date and fishing 
effort and determined that inseason action was necessary to meet 
management goals set preseason. Inseason action to modify limited 
retention regulations is authorized by 50 CFR 660.409(b)(1)(ii).
    Consultation date and participants: Consultation on inseason action 
#26 occurred on August 9, 2018. Representatives from NMFS, ODFW, CDFW, 
and the Council participated in this consultation.

Inseason Action #27

    Description of the action: Inseason action #27 reversed the 
transfer of coho quota to the recreational salmon fishery in the 
Columbia River subarea that was implemented under inseason action #23. 
The coho quota was returned, without adjustment, as follows: 2,400 coho 
quota to the commercial salmon fishery in the area north of Cape 
Falcon, OR, and 600 coho quota to the recreational salmon fishery in 
the Westport subarea.
    Effective dates: Inseason action #27 took effect on August 23, 
2018, and remained in effect until superseded by inseason action #32 on 
August 30, 2018.
    Reason and authorization for the action: The purpose of inseason 
action #27 was to reverse the transfer of coho quota that was 
implemented under inseason action #23. The recreational fishery in the 
Columbia River subarea closed on August 12, 2018, with an estimated 
remaining coho quota of 3,558. The RA considered coho landings to date 
and determined that none of the 2,400 coho quota previously transferred 
under inseason action #23 was landed in the recreational fishery in the 
Columbia River subarea prior to the closure of that fishery and that 
inseason action to return the quota to the fisheries from which it was 
transferred it was warranted. Inseason trades and transfers of quota 
between commercial and recreational fisheries north of Cape Falcon, OR, 
are authorized by 50 CFR 660.408(d)(1)(vi). Inseason action to modify 
quotas is authorized by 50 CFR 660.409(b)(1)(i).
    Consultation date and participants: Consultation on inseason action 
#27 occurred on August 23, 2018. Representatives from NMFS, WDFW, ODFW, 
and the Council participated in this consultation.

Inseason Action #28

    Description of the action: Inseason action #28 transferred the 
remaining Chinook salmon guideline (1,876 Chinook salmon) from the 
recreational salmon fishery in the Neah Bay subarea, which closed 
August 12, 2018, under inseason action #24, to the commercial fishery 
in the area from the U.S./Canada border to the Queets River, WA, to 
complete the trade agreed to under inseason action #17.
    Effective dates: Inseason action #28 took effect on August 23, 
2018, and remained in effect until the commercial salmon fisheries 
north of Cape Falcon, OR, closed on September 19, 2018.
    Reason and authorization for the action: The purpose of inseason 
action #28 was to fulfill the quota trade agreement between the 
commercial and recreational salmon fisheries that began with inseason 
action #17. Under that trade agreement, the commercial salmon fishery 
traded 1,000 coho to the recreational salmon fishery in the Neah Bay 
subarea with the understanding that, when the Neah Bay recreational 
fishery closed for the season, any remaining Chinook salmon would be 
transferred to the commercial fishery. The RA considered the Chinook 
salmon landings in the recreational salmon fishery in the Neah Bay 
subarea and determined that the transfer was consistent with the 
decision made under inseason action #17. Inseason trades and transfers 
of quota between commercial and recreational fisheries north of Cape 
Falcon, OR, are authorized by 50 CFR 660.408(d)(1)(vi). Inseason action 
to modify quotas is authorized by 50 CFR 660.409(b)(1)(i).
    Consultation date and participants: Consultation on inseason action 
#28 occurred on August 23, 2018. Representatives from NMFS, WDFW, ODFW, 
and the Council participated in this consultation.

Inseason Action #29

    Description of the action: Inseason action #29 adjusted the 
recreational salmon fishery in the Westport subarea to be open seven 
days per week (previously, it was open Sunday through Thursday) with a 
daily bag limit of two salmon, both of which can be Chinook salmon 
(previously, the daily bag limit was two salmon, only one of which 
could be a Chinook salmon).
    Effective dates: Inseason action #29 took effect on August 24, 
2018, and remained in effect until the fishery closed on September 3, 
2018.
    Reason and authorization for the action: The purpose of inseason 
action #29 was to allow greater access to available quota. The RA 
considered Chinook salmon and coho landings to date and fishery effort 
and determined inseason action to allow more fishing opportunity to 
access available quota was warranted to meet management objectives set 
preseason. Inseason action to modify recreational bag limits and 
fishing days per calendar week is authorized by 50 CFR 
660.409(b)(1)(iii).
    Consultation date and participants: Consultation on inseason action 
#29 occurred on August 23, 2018. Representatives from NMFS, WDFW, ODFW, 
and the Council participated in this consultation.

Inseason Action #30

    Description of the action: Inseason action #30 adjusted the landing 
and possession limit in the commercial salmon fishery from the U.S./
Canada border to the Queets River, WA, from 50 to 85 Chinook salmon per 
vessel per landing week.
    Effective dates: Inseason action #30 superseded inseason action #18 
on August 23, 2018, and remained in effect until the fishery closed on 
September 19, 2018.
    Reason and authorization for the action: The purpose of inseason 
action #30 was to allow greater access to available Chinook salmon 
quota. The RA considered coho and Chinook landings and fishery effort 
and determined that inseason action to increase the landing and 
possession limit in the fishery was warranted to meet management 
objectives set preseason. Inseason action to modify limited retention 
regulations is authorized by 50 CFR 660.409(b)(1)(ii).
    Consultation date and participants: Consultation on inseason action 
#30 occurred on August 23, 2018. Representatives from NMFS, WDFW, ODFW, 
and the Council participated in this consultation.

Inseason Action #31

    Description of the action: Inseason action #31 adjusted the landing 
and possession limit in the commercial salmon fishery from Leadbetter 
Point, WA to Cape Falcon, OR, from 75 to 85 Chinook salmon per vessel 
per landing week.
    Effective dates: Inseason action #31 superseded inseason action #16 
on August 23, 2018, and remained in effect until the fishery closed on 
September 19, 2018.
    Reason and authorization for the action: The purpose of inseason 
action #31 was to allow greater access to available Chinook salmon 
quota. The RA considered coho and Chinook

[[Page 63592]]

landings and fishery effort and determined that inseason action to 
increase the landing and possession limit in the fishery was warranted 
to meet management objectives set preseason. Inseason action to modify 
limited retention regulations is authorized by 50 CFR 
660.409(b)(1)(ii).
    Consultation date and participants: Consultation on inseason action 
#31 occurred on August 23, 2018. Representatives from NMFS, WDFW, ODFW, 
and the Council participated in this consultation.

Inseason Action #32

    Description of the action: Inseason action #32 transferred 2,400 
coho quota from the commercial salmon fishery in the area north of Cape 
Falcon to the recreational salmon fishery in the Columbia River 
subarea.
    Effective dates: Inseason action #32 took effect on August 30, 
2018, and remained in effect until reversed under inseason action #36 
on September 12, 2018.
    Reason and authorization for the action: The purpose of inseason 
action #32 was to provide ample coho quota to support re-opening the 
recreational fishery in the Columbia River subarea during the Labor Day 
holiday weekend (see inseason action #34, below). Considering coho and 
Chinook salmon landings to date in the commercial and recreational 
fisheries and fishery effort, the RA determined that inseason action to 
transfer available coho quota from the commercial fishery to the 
recreational fishery was warranted to support the economic benefit of 
the fishery dependent community in the Columbia River subarea and 
consistent with management goals set preseason. Inseason trades and 
transfers of quota between commercial and recreational fisheries north 
of Cape Falcon, OR, are authorized by 50 CFR 660.408(d)(1)(vi). 
Inseason action to modify quotas is authorized by 50 CFR 
660.409(b)(1)(i).
    Consultation date and participants: Consultation on inseason action 
#32 occurred on August 30, 2018. Representatives from NMFS, WDFW, ODFW, 
and the Council participated in this consultation.

Inseason Action #33

    Description of the action: Inseason action #33 adjusted the landing 
and possession limit in the commercial salmon fishery north of Cape 
Falcon, OR, from 10 to 25 coho, marked with a healed adipose fin clip, 
per vessel per landing week.
    Effective dates: Inseason action #33 took effect August 30, 2018, 
and remained in effect until the fishery closed on September 19, 2018.
    Reason and authorization for the action: The purpose of inseason 
action #33 was to allow greater access to available coho quota. 
Considering coho and Chinook salmon landings and fishery effort, the RA 
determined that inseason action to increase the landing and possession 
limit in the fishery was warranted to meet management objectives set 
preseason. Inseason action to modify limited retention regulations is 
authorized by 50 CFR 660.409(b)(1)(ii).
    Consultation date and participants: Consultation on inseason action 
#33 occurred on August 30, 2018. Representatives from NMFS, WDFW, ODFW, 
and the Council participated in this consultation.

Inseason Action #34

    Description of the action: Inseason action #34 reopened the 
recreational salmon fishery in the Columbia River subarea from 
September 2, 2018 through September 3, 2018.
    Effective dates: Inseason action #34 superseded inseason action #25 
on September 2, 2018, and remained in effect through September 3, 2018, 
the closing date of the 2018 recreational salmon fishery north of Cape 
Falcon, Oregon.
    Reason and authorization for the action: The purpose of inseason 
action #34 was to provide recreational fishing opportunity in the 
Columbia River subarea during the Labor Day holiday weekend. As 
described under inseason action #32, above, the RA considered landings 
to date, fishery effort, and available quota, and determined that 
inseason action to re-open the recreational fishery in the Columbia 
River subarea was warranted to provide economic benefit and to be 
consistent with management objectives set preseason. Inseason trades 
and transfers of quota between commercial and recreational fisheries 
north of Cape Falcon, OR, are authorized by 50 CFR 660.408(d)(1)(vi). 
Inseason action to modify quotas is authorized by 50 CFR 
660.409(b)(1)(i).
    Consultation date and participants: Consultation on inseason action 
#34 occurred on August 30, 2018. Representatives from NMFS, WDFW, ODFW, 
and the Council participated in this consultation.

Inseason Action #35

    Description of the action: Inseason action #35 rolled over 
remaining coho quota from the recreational mark-selective coho fishery 
in the area from Cape Falcon, OR, to Humbug Mountain, OR, to the 
recreational non-mark-selective coho fishery on an impact-neutral 
basis. This action adjusted the quota in the non-mark-selective coho 
fishery from 3,500 to 7,600 coho.
    Effective dates: Inseason action #35 took effect on September 12, 
2018, and remained in effect until the fishery was closed by inseason 
action #37 on September 21, 2018.
    Reason and authorization for the action: The purpose of inseason 
action was to provide access to available coho quota. The annual 
management measures (83 FR 19005, May 1, 2018) state that marked coho 
remaining from the Cape Falcon, OR, to Humbug Mountain, OR, 
recreational mark-selective coho quota may be transferred inseason to 
the Cape Falcon, OR, to Humbug Mountain, OR, non-mark-selective 
recreational fishery if the transfer would not result in exceeding 
preseason impact expectations on any stocks. The RA considered coho 
landings and the STT's calculations for the impact-neutral roll-over 
and determined that inseason action to roll over the coho quota between 
these fisheries was warranted to meet management objectives set 
preseason.
    Consultation date and participants: Consultation on inseason action 
#35 occurred on September 12, 2018. Representatives from NMFS, WDFW, 
ODFW, and the Council participated in this consultation.

Inseason Action #36

    Description of the action: Inseason action #36 reversed the 
transfer of coho quota to the recreational salmon fishery in the 
Columbia River subarea that was implemented under inseason action #32. 
The 2,400 coho quota was returned to the commercial salmon fishery in 
the area north of Cape Falcon, OR, without adjustment.
    Effective dates: Inseason action #36 took effect on September 12, 
2018, and remained in effect until the commercial salmon fishery north 
of Cape Falcon, OR, closed on September 19, 2018, as scheduled 
preseason.
    Reason and authorization for the action: The purpose of inseason 
action #36 was to reverse the transfer of coho quota that was 
implemented under inseason action #32. The recreational fishery in the 
Columbia River subarea closed on September 3, 2018, with an estimated 
remaining coho quota of 2,854. The RA considered coho landings to date 
and determined that none of the 2,400 coho quota previously transferred 
under inseason action #32 was landed in the recreational fishery in the 
Columbia River subarea prior to the closure of that fishery on 
September 3,

[[Page 63593]]

2018, and that inseason action to return the quota to the fisheries 
from which it was transferred it was warranted. Inseason trades and 
transfers of quota between commercial and recreational fisheries north 
of Cape Falcon, OR, are authorized by 50 CFR 660.408(d)(1)(vi). 
Inseason action to modify quotas is authorized by 50 CFR 
660.409(b)(1)(i).
    Consultation date and participants: Consultation on inseason action 
#36 occurred on September 12, 2018. Representatives from NMFS, WDFW, 
ODFW, and the Council participated in this consultation.

Inseason Action #37

    Description of the action: Inseason action #37 closed the 
recreational non-mark-selective coho salmon fishery from Cape Falcon, 
OR, to Humbug Mountain, OR, due to projected attainment of the 
available coho quota.
    Effective dates: Inseason action #37 took effect on September 21, 
2018, and remained in effect through the end of the salmon fishing 
season.
    Reason and authorization for the action: The purpose of inseason 
action #37 was to prevent exceeding the coho quota in the fishery. The 
RA considered coho landings and remaining quota and determined inseason 
action was necessary to stay within the adjusted coho quota. Inseason 
action to modify fishing seasons is authorized by 50 CFR 
660.409(b)(1)(i).
    Consultation date and participants: Consultation on inseason action 
#37 occurred on September 19, 2018. Representatives from NMFS, ODFW, 
and the Council participated in this consultation.
    All other restrictions and regulations remain in effect as 
announced for the 2018 ocean salmon fisheries and 2019 salmon fisheries 
opening prior to May 1, 2019 (83 FR 19005, May 1, 2018), and as 
modified by prior inseason actions.
    The RA determined that the best available information indicated 
that coho, Chinook salmon, and Pacific halibut abundance forecasts and 
expected fishery effort in 2018 supported the above inseason actions 
recommended by the states of Washington, Oregon, and California. The 
states manage the fisheries in state waters adjacent to the areas of 
the U.S. exclusive economic zone consistent with these federal actions. 
As provided by the inseason notice procedures of 50 CFR 660.411, actual 
notice of the described regulatory action 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

    NOAA's Assistant Administrator (AA) for NMFS 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 action was provided to fishers through 
telephone hotline and radio notification. This action complies with the 
requirements of the annual management measures for ocean salmon 
fisheries (83 FR 19005, May 1, 2018), the Pacific Coast Salmon Fishery 
Management Plan (FMP), and regulations implementing the FMP under 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 coho, Chinook salmon, and Pacific 
halibut catch and effort projections and abundance forecasts 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 limits for 
impacts to salmon species listed under the Endangered Species Act 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 this action would allow fishing at levels inconsistent 
with the goals of the FMP and the current management measures.
    This action is authorized by 50 CFR 660.409 and 660.411 and is 
exempt from review under Executive Order 12866.

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

    Dated: December 4, 2018.
Alan D. Risenhoover,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-26720 Filed 12-10-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P



                                                                  Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 237 / Tuesday, December 11, 2018 / Rules and Regulations                                                                                                 63587

                                           ■ 19. Amend § 36.352 by revising the                                        § 36.371         [Amended]                                                   § 36.377         [Amended]
                                           section heading to read as follows:                                         ■ 21. Amend § 36.371, in the table, by                                       ■ 24. Amend § 36.377 by adding a
                                                                                                                       removing ‘‘(Class B telephone                                                reserved paragraph (b).
                                           § 36.352 Other property plant and
                                           equipment expenses—Account 6510.
                                                                                                                       companies); Accounts 6611 and 6613
                                                                                                                       (Class A telephone companies)’’.                                             ■ 25. Amend § 36.392 by revising
                                           *        *         *         *         *                                    ■ 22. Amend § 36.372 by revising the                                         paragraph (c) to read as follows:
                                           ■ 20. Amend § 36.353 by revising the                                        section heading to read as follows:                                          § 36.392 General and administrative—
                                           section heading to read as follows:                                         § 36.372         Marketing—Account 6610.                                     Account 6720.

                                           § 36.353 Network operations expenses—                                       *         *         *         *         *                                    *     *     *     *    *
                                           Account 6530.                                                                                                                                              (c) The expenses in this account are
                                                                                                                       § 36.375         [Amended]                                                   apportioned among the operations on
                                           *        *         *         *         *
                                                                                                                       ■  23. Amend § 36.375(b)(4) and (5) by                                       the basis of the separation of the cost of
                                                                                                                       removing ‘‘through (4)’’ and adding in                                       the combined Big Three Expenses
                                                                                                                       its place ‘‘through (3)’’.                                                   which include the following accounts:

                                                                                                                                  TABLE 1 TO PARAGRAPH (c)

                                                                                                                                        Plant Specific Expenses

                                           Central Office Switching Expenses ................................................................................................................................................                    Account   6210.
                                           Operators Systems Expenses ........................................................................................................................................................                   Account   6220.
                                           Central Office Transmission Expenses ..........................................................................................................................................                       Account   6230.
                                           Information Origination/Termination Expenses ...............................................................................................................................                          Account   6310.
                                           Cable and Wire Facilities Expense .................................................................................................................................................                   Account   6410.

                                                                                                                                     Plant Non-Specific Expenses

                                           Network Operations Expenses .......................................................................................................................................................                   Account 6530.

                                                                                                                                 Customer Operations Expenses

                                           Marketing ........................................................................................................................................................................................    Account 6610.
                                           Services ..........................................................................................................................................................................................   Account 6620.



                                           ■   26. Revise § 36.411 to read as follows:                                 § § 36.3, 36.123, 36.124, 36.125, 36.126,                                    DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
                                                                                                                       36.141, 36.142, 36.152, 36.157, 36.191,
                                           § 36.411         Operating taxes—Account 7200.                              36.374, 36.375, 36.377, 36.378, 36.379,                                      National Oceanic and Atmospheric
                                                                                                                       36.380, 36.381, and 36.382 [Amended]                                         Administration
                                             This account includes the taxes
                                           arising from the operations of the                                          ■ 29. In addition to the amendments set
                                           company, i.e.:                                                              forth above, in 47 CFR part 36, remove                                       50 CFR Part 660
                                                                                                                       the words ‘‘twelve month’’ and add in
                                             (a) Operating Investment Tax Credits.
                                                                                                                       their place the words ‘‘twelve-month’’                                       [Docket No. 170831849–8404–01]
                                             (b) Operating Federal Income Taxes.                                       in the following places:
                                             (c) Operating State and Local Income                                      ■ a. Section 36.3(a) and (b);                                                RIN 0648–XG563
                                           Taxes.                                                                      ■ b. Section 36.123(a)(5) and (6);
                                                                                                                       ■ c. Section 36.124(d);
                                                                                                                                                                                                    Fisheries Off West Coast States;
                                             (d) Operating Other Taxes.                                                                                                                             Modifications of the West Coast
                                                                                                                       ■ d. Section 36.125(h) and (i);
                                             (e) Provision for Deferred Operating                                                                                                                   Recreational and Commercial Salmon
                                                                                                                       ■ e. Section 36.126(b)(5) and (6), (c)(4),
                                           Income Taxes.                                                                                                                                            Fisheries; Inseason Actions #12
                                                                                                                       (e)(4), and (f)(2);                                                          through #37
                                           § 36.501         [Amended]                                                  ■ f. Section 36.141(c);
                                                                                                                       ■ g. Section 36.142(c);                                                      AGENCY:  National Marine Fisheries
                                           ■ 27. Amend § 36.501, in the table, by                                      ■ h. Section 36.152(d);                                                      Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
                                           removing ‘‘(Class B Telephone                                               ■ i. Section 36.157(b);                                                      Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
                                           Companies); Account 3410 (Class A                                                                                                                        Commerce.
                                                                                                                       ■ j. Section 36.191(d);
                                           Telephone Companies)’’.                                                                                                                                  ACTION: Modification of fishing seasons.
                                                                                                                       ■ k. Section 36.374(b);
                                           § 36.505        [Amended]                                                   ■ l. Section 36.375(b)(4);
                                                                                                                                                                                                    SUMMARY:   NMFS announces 26 inseason
                                                                                                                       ■ m. Section 36.377(a) introductory text,                                    actions in the ocean salmon fisheries.
                                           ■ 28. Amend § 36.505 as follows:                                            (a)(1)(ix), (a)(2)(vii), (a)(3)(vii),                                        These inseason actions modified the
                                           ■ a. Revise the section heading; and                                        (a)(4)(vii), (a)(5)(vii), and (a)(6)(vii);                                   commercial and recreational salmon
                                           ■ b. Redesignate paragraph (a) as an                                        ■ n. Section 36.378(b)(1);                                                   fisheries in the area from the U.S./
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                                           undesignated paragraph.                                                     ■ o. Section 36.379(b)(1);                                                   Canada border to the U.S./Mexico
                                                                                                                       ■ p. Section 36.380(d) and (e);                                              border.
                                             The revision reads as follows:
                                                                                                                       ■ q. Section 36.381(c); and
                                                                                                                                                                                                    DATES: The effective dates for the
                                           § 36.505 Accumulated amortization—                                          ■ r. Section 36.382(a).                                                      inseason actions are set out in this
                                           Tangible—Account 3400.                                                      [FR Doc. 2018–25803 Filed 12–10–18; 8:45 am]                                 document under the heading Inseason
                                           *        *         *         *         *                                    BILLING CODE 6712–01–P                                                       Actions.


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                                           63588            Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 237 / Tuesday, December 11, 2018 / Rules and Regulations

                                           FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:                        Oregon KMZ and California KMZ,                        determined that the fishery was at risk
                                           Peggy Mundy at 206–526–4323.                            divided at the Oregon/California border.              of exceeding the allocation of Pacific
                                           SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:                              The Oregon KMZ is the area from                       halibut if retention continued at the
                                                                                                   Humbug Mountain, OR, to the Oregon/                   current rate. Retention of Pacific halibut
                                           Background                                              California border. The California KMZ is              was suspended by inseason action to
                                              In the 2018 annual management                        the area from the Oregon/California                   allow the states to update landings data
                                           measures for ocean salmon fisheries (83                 border to Horse Mountain, CA.                         and determine the amount of Pacific
                                           FR 19005, May 1, 2018), NMFS                            However, the area from Humboldt South                 halibut allocation that remained. The
                                           announced management measures for                       Jetty, CA, to Horse Mountain, CA, has                 annual management measures require
                                           the commercial and recreational                         been closed to commercial salmon                      NMFS to take inseason action to
                                           fisheries in the area from the U.S./                    fishing since 1992.                                   prohibit retention of Pacific halibut in
                                           Canada border to the U.S./Mexico                                                                              the commercial salmon fishery if the
                                           border, beginning May 1, 2018, through                  Inseason Actions                                      landings are projected to exceed the
                                           April 30, 2019. NMFS is authorized to                   Inseason Action #12                                   preseason allocation (83 FR 19005, May
                                           implement inseason management                                                                                 1, 2018). Modification of the species
                                           actions to modify fishing seasons and                      Description of the action: Inseason
                                                                                                                                                         that may be caught and landed during
                                           quotas as necessary to provide fishing                  action #12 adjusted the daily bag limit
                                                                                                                                                         specific seasons is authorized by 50 CFR
                                           opportunity while meeting management                    in the recreational salmon fishery in the
                                                                                                                                                         660.409(b)(1)(ii).
                                           objectives for the affected species (50                 Neah Bay subarea to allow retention of
                                                                                                                                                            Consultation date and participants:
                                           CFR 660.409). Inseason actions in the                   two Chinook salmon. Previously, the
                                                                                                                                                         Consultation on inseason action #13
                                           salmon fishery may be taken directly by                 two salmon per day bag limit in this
                                                                                                                                                         occurred on July 13, 2018.
                                           NMFS (50 CFR 660.409(a)—Fixed                           fishery allowed retention of only one
                                                                                                                                                         Representatives from NMFS, WDFW,
                                           inseason management provisions) or                      Chinook salmon.
                                                                                                                                                         ODFW, CDFW, and the Council
                                           upon consultation with the Pacific                         Effective dates: Inseason action #12
                                                                                                                                                         participated in this consultation.
                                           Fishery Management Council (Council)                    took effect on July 14, 2018, and
                                           and the appropriate State Directors (50                 remained in effect until the recreational             Inseason Action #14
                                           CFR 660.409(b)—Flexible inseason                        fishery in the Neah Bay subarea closed                   Description of the action: Inseason
                                           management provisions). The state                       for the season under inseason action #24              action #14 adjusted the landing and
                                           management agencies that participated                   on August 12, 2018.                                   possession limit for the commercial
                                           in the consultations described in this                     Reason and authorization for the                   salmon fishery in the California KMZ
                                           document were: California Department                    action: The purpose of this action was                from 20 Chinook salmon per day to 40
                                           of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), Oregon                     to allow greater access to the available              Chinook salmon per day.
                                           Department of Fish and Wildlife                         Chinook salmon quota in the                              Effective dates: Inseason action #14
                                           (ODFW), and Washington Department of                    recreational fishery. The NMFS West                   took effect on July 20, 2018 and
                                           Fish and Wildlife (WDFW).                               Coast Regional Administrator (RA)                     remained in effect through July 31,
                                                                                                   considered Chinook and coho salmon                    2013.
                                           Management Areas                                        landings and fishery effort in the Neah                  Reason and authorization for the
                                              Management of the salmon fisheries is                Bay subarea and determined that this                  action: The purpose of inseason action
                                           generally divided into two geographic                   inseason action was necessary to meet                 #14 was to allow greater access to
                                           areas: north of Cape Falcon (U.S./                      management objectives set preseason.                  available Chinook salmon quota for July
                                           Canada border to Cape Falcon, OR) and                   Inseason modification of recreational                 in the commercial salmon fishery in the
                                           south of Cape Falcon (Cape Falcon, OR,                  bag limits is authorized by 50 CFR                    California KMZ; this fishery had
                                           to the U.S./Mexico border). Within the                  660.409(b)(1)(iii).                                   monthly Chinook salmon quotas from
                                           north and south of Cape Falcon areas,                      Consultation date and participants:                May through August in 2018. The RA
                                           there are further subarea divisions used                Consultation on inseason action #12                   considered Chinook salmon landings
                                           to manage impacts on salmon stocks or                   occurred on July 12, 2018.                            and fishery effort and determined that
                                           stock groups as well as economic                        Representatives from NMFS, WDFW,                      inseason action was necessary to meet
                                           impacts to communities. The                             ODFW, and the Council participated in                 management objectives set preseason.
                                           management areas affected by the                        this consultation.                                    Inseason action to modify limited
                                           inseason actions in this document are                                                                         retention regulations is authorized by 50
                                                                                                   Inseason Action #13
                                           described here.                                                                                               CFR 660.409(b)(1)(ii).
                                              North of Cape Falcon: Recreational                     Description of the action: Inseason                    Consultation date and participants:
                                           fisheries north of Cape Falcon are                      action #13 suspended retention of                     Consultation on inseason action #14
                                           divided into four subareas: U.S./Canada                 Pacific halibut caught incidental to the              occurred on July 17, 2018.
                                           border to Cape Alava, WA (Neah Bay                      commercial salmon fishery from the                    Representatives from NMFS, ODFW,
                                           subarea), Cape Alava, WA, to Queets                     U.S./Canada border to the U.S./Mexico                 CDFW, and the Council participated in
                                           River, WA (La Push subarea), Queets                     border.                                               this consultation.
                                           River, WA, to Leadbetter Point, WA                        Effective dates: Inseason action #13
                                           (Westport subarea), and Leadbetter                      took effect at 11:59 p.m., July 14, 2018,             Inseason Action #15
                                           Point, WA, to Cape Falcon, OR                           and remained in effect until superseded                  Description of the action: Inseason
                                           (Columbia River subarea). Commercial                    by inseason action #15 on July 26, 2018.              action #15 allowed retention of Pacific
                                           fisheries north of Cape Falcon are                        Reason and authorization for the                    halibut caught incidental to the
                                           divided at Queets River, WA, and                        action: The purpose of this action was                commercial salmon fishery to resume
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                                           Leadbetter Point, WA.                                   to avoid exceeding the allocation of                  from the U.S./Canada border to the U.S./
                                              South of Cape Falcon: South of Cape                  Pacific halibut allowed to be retained in             Mexico border with revised landing and
                                           Falcon, the area from Humbug                            the commercial salmon fishery. The RA                 possession limits of no more than one
                                           Mountain, OR, to Horse Mountain, CA,                    considered Chinook salmon and Pacific                 Pacific halibut per each three Chinook
                                           is the Klamath Management Zone                          halibut landings and fishery effort in the            salmon, except one Pacific halibut could
                                           (KMZ) and is managed in two subareas,                   commercial salmon fishery and                         be possessed or landed without meeting


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                                                            Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 237 / Tuesday, December 11, 2018 / Rules and Regulations                                        63589

                                           the ratio requirement, and no more than                 Inseason Action #17                                   meet management objectives set
                                           10 halibut could be possessed or landed                    Description of the action: Inseason                preseason. Inseason action to modify
                                           per trip.                                               action #17 transferred quota of 1,000                 limited retention regulations is
                                              Effective dates: Inseason action #15                 coho from the commercial salmon                       authorized by 50 CFR 660.409(b)(1)(ii).
                                           took effect on July 26, 2018, superseding                                                                       Consultation date and participants:
                                                                                                   fishery in the area north of Cape Falcon,
                                           inseason action #13, above. Inseason                                                                          Consultation on inseason action #18
                                                                                                   OR, to the recreational fishery in the
                                           action #15 remained in effect until                                                                           occurred on August 1, 2018.
                                                                                                   Neah Bay subarea. This action included
                                           superseded by inseason action #22 on                                                                          Representatives from NMFS, WDFW,
                                                                                                   the provision that, when the
                                           August 8, 2018.                                                                                               ODFW, and the Council participated in
                                                                                                   recreational fishery in the Neah Bay
                                                                                                                                                         this consultation.
                                              Reason and authorization for the                     subarea closed for the season, any
                                           action: The purpose of inseason action                  remaining Chinook quota from that                     Inseason Action #19
                                           #15 was to allow access to the                          fishery would be transferred to the                      Description of the action: Inseason
                                           remaining allocation of Pacific halibut                 commercial fishery on an impact-                      action #19 adjusted the August quota in
                                           without exceeding the allocation. The                   neutral basis to complete the trade (see              the commercial salmon fishery in the
                                           RA considered Pacific halibut and                       inseason action #28, below).                          California KMZ to account for an
                                           Chinook salmon landings to date and                        Effective dates: Inseason action #17               impact-neutral rollover of unused July
                                           fishery effort and determined that                      took effect on July 24, 2018, and                     quota. The August quota was adjusted
                                           inseason action was needed to meet                      remained in effect through August 12,                 from 4,000 Chinook salmon to 9,423
                                           management objectives set preseason.                    2018, when the recreational fishery in                Chinook salmon.
                                           Modification of the species that may be                 the Neah Bay subarea closed for the                      Effective dates: Inseason action #19
                                           caught and landed during specific                       season under inseason action #24.                     took effect on August 2, 2018, and
                                           seasons is authorized by 50 CFR                            Reason and authorization for the                   remained in effect through August 31,
                                           660.409(b)(1)(ii).                                      action: The purpose of inseason action                2018.
                                                                                                   #17 was to prolong the recreational                      Reason and authorization for the
                                              Consultation date and participants:                  salmon season in Neah Bay, which was
                                           Consultation on inseason action #15                                                                           action: The purpose of inseason action
                                                                                                   scheduled preseason to remain open                    #19 was to be consistent with the
                                           occurred on July 24, 2018.                              until September 3, 2018, and to utilize
                                           Representatives from NMFS, WDFW,                                                                              annual management measures, which
                                                                                                   available coho and Chinook salmon                     state that any remaining portion of a
                                           ODFW, CDFW, and the Council                             quota. The RA considered Chinook
                                           participated in this consultation.                                                                            monthly Chinook salmon quota in the
                                                                                                   salmon and coho landings to date and                  commercial salmon fishery in the
                                           Inseason Action #16                                     fishery effort and determined that                    California KMZ may be transferred
                                                                                                   inseason was necessary to keep the                    inseason on an impact-neutral basis to
                                             Description of the action: Inseason                   recreational fishery in Neah Bay open                 the next open quota period (83 FR
                                           action #16 adjusted the landing and                     and meet management objectives set                    19005, May 1, 2018). The RA considered
                                           possession limit in the commercial                      preseason. Inseason trades and transfers              Chinook salmon landings to date and
                                           salmon fishery in the areas from the                    of quota between commercial and                       the calculations of the Council’s Salmon
                                           U.S./Canada border to Queets River,                     recreational fisheries north of Cape                  Technical Team (STT) for rolling over
                                           WA, and from Leadbetter Point, WA, to                   Falcon, OR, are authorized by 50 CFR                  quota on an impact-neutral basis for
                                           Cape Falcon, OR, from 50 to 75 Chinook                  660.408(d)(1)(vi). Inseason action to                 impacts to Sacramento and Klamath
                                           salmon per vessel per landing week.                     modify quotas or fishing seasons is                   River fall-run Chinook salmon stocks,
                                             Effective dates: Inseason action #16                  authorized by 50 CFR 660.409(b)(1)(i).                and fifty-fifty tribal/nontribal sharing of
                                           took effect on July 26, 2018, and                          Consultation date and participants:                Klamath River fall-run Chinook salmon
                                           remained in effect until superseded by                  Consultation on inseason action #17                   allowable catch. The RA determined
                                           inseason action #18 on August 2, 2018,                  occurred on July 24, 2018.                            inseason action was necessary to meet
                                           which affected the area from the U.S./                  Representatives from NMFS, WDFW,                      management objectives set preseason.
                                           Canada border to Queets River, and                      ODFW, and the Council participated in                 Inseason action to modify quotas is
                                           inseason action #31 on August 23, 2018,                 this consultation.                                    authorized by 50 CFR 660.409(b)(1)(i).
                                           which affected the area from Leadbetter                 Inseason Action #18                                      Consultation date and participants:
                                           Point, OR to Cape Falcon, OR.                                                                                 Consultation on inseason action #19
                                                                                                     Description of the action: Inseason                 occurred on August 2, 2018.
                                             Reason and authorization for the                      action #18 adjusted the landing and
                                           action: The purpose of inseason action                                                                        Representatives from NMFS, CDFW,
                                                                                                   possession limit in the commercial                    ODFW, and the Council participated in
                                           #16 was to allow greater access to                      salmon fishery in the area from the U.S./
                                           available Chinook salmon quota in the                                                                         this consultation.
                                                                                                   Canada border to Queets River, WA,
                                           commercial salmon fishery. The RA                       from 75 to 50 Chinook salmon per                      Inseason Action #20
                                           considered Chinook salmon landings to                   vessel per landing week.                                 Description of the action: Inseason
                                           date and fishery effort and determined                    Effective dates: Inseason action #18                action #20 adjusted the landing and
                                           that inseason action was necessary to                   took effect August 2, 2018, and                       possession limit in the commercial
                                           meet management objectives set                          remained in effect until superseded by                salmon fishery in the California KMZ
                                           preseason. Inseason action to modify                    inseason action #30 on August 23, 2018.               from 20 to 50 Chinook per vessel per
                                           limited retention regulations is                          Reason and authorization for the                    day.
                                           authorized by 50 CFR 660.409(b)(1)(ii).                 action: The purpose of the proposed                      Effective dates: Inseason action #20
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                                             Consultation date and participants:                   action was to keep commercial Chinook                 took effect August 3, 2018, and
                                           Consultation on inseason action #16                     salmon landings in the affected area                  remained in effect through the end of
                                           occurred on July 24, 2018.                              within the quota set preseason. The RA                the season on August 31, 2018.
                                           Representatives from NMFS, WDFW,                        considered Chinook salmon landings to                    Reason and authorization for the
                                           ODFW, and the Council participated in                   date and fishery effort and determined                action: The purpose of inseason action
                                           this consultation.                                      that inseason action was necessary to                 #20 was to provide greater access to


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                                           63590            Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 237 / Tuesday, December 11, 2018 / Rules and Regulations

                                           available quota. The RA considered                      U.S./Canada border to the U.S./Mexico                 Representatives from NMFS, WDFW,
                                           catch of Chinook salmon to date and                     border.                                               ODFW, and the Council participated in
                                           fishery effort, as well as the available                   Effective dates: Inseason action #22               this consultation.
                                           quota and limited remaining time for                    took effect on August 8, 2018 and
                                                                                                   remains in effect until all commercial                Inseason Action #24
                                           the fishery, which was scheduled to
                                           close at the end of August, and                         salmon fisheries conclude for 2018.                      Description of the action: Inseason
                                           determined that inseason action was                        Reason and authorization for the                   action #24 closed the recreational
                                           necessary to meet management                            action: The purpose of inseason action                salmon fishery in the Neah Bay subarea.
                                           objectives set preseason. Inseason action               #22 was to prevent exceeding the 2018                    Effective dates: Inseason action #24
                                           to modify limited retention regulations                 allocation of Pacific halibut to the                  took effect on August 12, 2018, and
                                           is authorized by 50 CFR                                 commercial salmon fishery. The RA                     remained in effect through the end of
                                           660.409(b)(1)(ii).                                      considered Pacific halibut and salmon                 the 2018 ocean salmon season.
                                              Consultation date and participants:                  landings to date and fishery effort and                  Reason and authorization for the
                                           Consultation on inseason action #20                     determined that there was insufficient                action: The purpose inseason action #24
                                           occurred on August 2, 2018.                             Pacific halibut allocation remaining to               was to prevent exceeding the subarea
                                           Representatives from NMFS, CDFW,                        allow retention to continue and                       quota for coho. The RA considered coho
                                           ODFW, and the Council participated in                   inseason action was required to avoid                 and Chinook salmon landings and
                                           this consultation.                                      exceeding the Pacific halibut allocation.             fishery effort and determined that
                                                                                                   The annual management measures                        inseason action was necessary to close
                                           Inseason Action #21                                     require NMFS to take inseason action to               the fishery ahead of the scheduled date
                                              Description of the action: Inseason                  prohibit retention of Pacific halibut in              of September 3, 2018, to avoid
                                           action #21 adjusted the August quota in                 the commercial salmon fishery if the                  exceeding the coho quota for the
                                           the commercial salmon fishery in the                    landings are projected to exceed the                  subarea. Inseason action to modify
                                           Oregon KMZ to account for an impact-                    preseason allocation (83 FR 19005, May                fishing seasons is authorized by 50 CFR
                                           neutral rollover of unused July quota.                  1, 2018).                                             660.409(b)(1)(i).
                                           The August quota was adjusted from                         Consultation date and participants:                   Consultation date and participants:
                                           500 Chinook salmon to 1,430 Chinook                     Consultation on inseason action #22                   Consultation on inseason action #24
                                           salmon.                                                 occurred on August 8, 2018.                           occurred on August 8, 2018.
                                                                                                   Representatives from NMFS, WDFW,                      Representatives from NMFS, WDFW,
                                              Effective dates: Inseason action #21
                                                                                                   ODFW, and the Council participated in                 ODFW, and the Council participated in
                                           took effect on August 2, 2018, and
                                                                                                   this consultation. NMFS notified CDFW                 this consultation.
                                           remained in effect through the end of
                                                                                                   of the action immediately after the
                                           the season on August 29, 2018.                                                                                Inseason Action #25
                                                                                                   consultation.
                                              Reason and authorization for the                                                                              Description of the action: Inseason
                                           action: The purpose of inseason action                  Inseason Action #23                                   action #25 closed the recreational
                                           #21 was to be consistent with the                          Description of the action: Inseason                salmon fishery in the Columbia River
                                           annual management measures, which                       action #23 transferred 3,000 coho quota               subarea.
                                           state that any remaining portion of a                   to the recreational salmon fishery in the                Effective dates: Inseason action #25
                                           monthly Chinook salmon quota in the                     Columbia River subarea. The coho quota                took effect on August 12, 2018, and
                                           commercial salmon fishery in the                        transferred comprised 2,400 coho quota                remained in effect until superseded by
                                           Oregon KMZ may be transferred                           from the commercial salmon fishery in                 inseason action #34 on September 2,
                                           inseason on an impact neutral basis to                  the area north of Cape Falcon, OR, and                2018.
                                           the next open quota period (83 FR                       600 coho quota from the recreational                     Reason and authorization for the
                                           19005, May 1, 2018). The RA considered                  salmon fishery in the Westport subarea.               action: The purpose inseason action #25
                                           Chinook salmon landings to date and                        Effective dates: Inseason action #23               was to prevent exceeding the subarea
                                           the calculations of the Council’s Salmon                took effect on August 8, 2018, and                    quota for coho. The RA considered coho
                                           Technical Team (STT) for rolling over                   remained in effect until reversed by                  and Chinook salmon landings and
                                           quota on an impact-neutral basis for                    inseason action #27 on August 23, 2018.               fishery effort and determined that
                                           impacts to Sacramento and Klamath                          Reason and authorization for the                   inseason action was necessary to close
                                           River fall-run Chinook salmon stocks,                   action: The purpose of inseason action                the fishery ahead of the scheduled date
                                           and fifty-fifty tribal/nontribal sharing of             #23 was to prolong the Columbia River                 of September 3, 2018, to avoid
                                           Klamath River fall-run Chinook salmon                   subarea recreational salmon fishery,                  exceeding the coho quota for the
                                           allowable catch. The RA determined                      which was scheduled to remain open                    subarea. Inseason action to modify
                                           inseason action was necessary to meet                   through September 3, 2018, but which                  fishing seasons is authorized by 50 CFR
                                           management objectives set preseason.                    was exhausting its coho quota. The RA                 660.409(b)(1)(i).
                                           Inseason action to modify quotas is                     considered coho and Chinook salmon                       Consultation date and participants:
                                           authorized by 50 CFR 660.409(b)(1)(i).                  landings to date and fishery effort and               Consultation on inseason action #25
                                              Consultation date and participants:                  determined that inseason action was                   occurred on August 8, 2018.
                                           Consultation on inseason action #20                     necessary to meet the management                      Representatives from NMFS, WDFW,
                                           occurred on August 2, 2018.                             objectives set preseason. Inseason trades             ODFW, and the Council participated in
                                           Representatives from NMFS, CDFW,                        and transfers of quota between                        this consultation.
                                           ODFW, and the Council participated in                   commercial and recreational fisheries
                                           this consultation.                                      north of Cape Falcon, OR, are                         Inseason Action #26
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                                                                                                   authorized by 50 CFR 660.408(d)(1)(vi).                 Description of the action: Inseason
                                           Inseason Action #22                                                                                           action #26 adjusted the landing and
                                                                                                   Inseason action to modify quotas is
                                             Description of the action: Inseason                   authorized by 50 CFR 660.409(b)(1)(i).                possession limit in the commercial
                                           action #22 closed retention of Pacific                     Consultation date and participants:                salmon fishery in the Oregon KMZ from
                                           halibut caught incidental to the                        Consultation on inseason action #23                   50 to 80 Chinook salmon per vessel per
                                           commercial salmon fishery from the                      occurred on August 8, 2018.                           landing week.


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                                                            Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 237 / Tuesday, December 11, 2018 / Rules and Regulations                                      63591

                                             Effective dates: Inseason action #26                  Inseason Action #28                                   #29 was to allow greater access to
                                           took effect on August 13, 2018, and                        Description of the action: Inseason                available quota. The RA considered
                                           remained in effect until the fishery                    action #28 transferred the remaining                  Chinook salmon and coho landings to
                                           closed on August 29, 2018.                              Chinook salmon guideline (1,876                       date and fishery effort and determined
                                             Reason and authorization for the                                                                            inseason action to allow more fishing
                                                                                                   Chinook salmon) from the recreational
                                           action: The purpose of inseason action                                                                        opportunity to access available quota
                                                                                                   salmon fishery in the Neah Bay subarea,
                                           #26 was to provide greater access to                                                                          was warranted to meet management
                                                                                                   which closed August 12, 2018, under
                                           available Chinook salmon quota. The                                                                           objectives set preseason. Inseason action
                                                                                                   inseason action #24, to the commercial
                                           RA considered Chinook salmon                                                                                  to modify recreational bag limits and
                                                                                                   fishery in the area from the U.S./Canada
                                           landings to date and fishing effort and                                                                       fishing days per calendar week is
                                                                                                   border to the Queets River, WA, to
                                           determined that inseason action was                                                                           authorized by 50 CFR 660.409(b)(1)(iii).
                                           necessary to meet management goals set                  complete the trade agreed to under
                                                                                                                                                            Consultation date and participants:
                                           preseason. Inseason action to modify                    inseason action #17.
                                                                                                      Effective dates: Inseason action #28               Consultation on inseason action #29
                                           limited retention regulations is                                                                              occurred on August 23, 2018.
                                           authorized by 50 CFR 660.409(b)(1)(ii).                 took effect on August 23, 2018, and
                                                                                                   remained in effect until the commercial               Representatives from NMFS, WDFW,
                                             Consultation date and participants:                                                                         ODFW, and the Council participated in
                                           Consultation on inseason action #26                     salmon fisheries north of Cape Falcon,
                                                                                                   OR, closed on September 19, 2018.                     this consultation.
                                           occurred on August 9, 2018.
                                           Representatives from NMFS, ODFW,                           Reason and authorization for the                   Inseason Action #30
                                           CDFW, and the Council participated in                   action: The purpose of inseason action                  Description of the action: Inseason
                                           this consultation.                                      #28 was to fulfill the quota trade                    action #30 adjusted the landing and
                                                                                                   agreement between the commercial and                  possession limit in the commercial
                                           Inseason Action #27                                     recreational salmon fisheries that began              salmon fishery from the U.S./Canada
                                              Description of the action: Inseason                  with inseason action #17. Under that                  border to the Queets River, WA, from 50
                                           action #27 reversed the transfer of coho                trade agreement, the commercial salmon                to 85 Chinook salmon per vessel per
                                           quota to the recreational salmon fishery                fishery traded 1,000 coho to the                      landing week.
                                           in the Columbia River subarea that was                  recreational salmon fishery in the Neah                 Effective dates: Inseason action #30
                                           implemented under inseason action                       Bay subarea with the understanding                    superseded inseason action #18 on
                                           #23. The coho quota was returned,                       that, when the Neah Bay recreational                  August 23, 2018, and remained in effect
                                           without adjustment, as follows: 2,400                   fishery closed for the season, any                    until the fishery closed on September
                                           coho quota to the commercial salmon                     remaining Chinook salmon would be                     19, 2018.
                                           fishery in the area north of Cape Falcon,               transferred to the commercial fishery.                  Reason and authorization for the
                                           OR, and 600 coho quota to the                           The RA considered the Chinook salmon                  action: The purpose of inseason action
                                           recreational salmon fishery in the                      landings in the recreational salmon                   #30 was to allow greater access to
                                           Westport subarea.                                       fishery in the Neah Bay subarea and                   available Chinook salmon quota. The
                                              Effective dates: Inseason action #27                 determined that the transfer was                      RA considered coho and Chinook
                                           took effect on August 23, 2018, and                     consistent with the decision made                     landings and fishery effort and
                                           remained in effect until superseded by                  under inseason action #17. Inseason                   determined that inseason action to
                                           inseason action #32 on August 30, 2018.                 trades and transfers of quota between                 increase the landing and possession
                                              Reason and authorization for the                     commercial and recreational fisheries                 limit in the fishery was warranted to
                                           action: The purpose of inseason action                  north of Cape Falcon, OR, are                         meet management objectives set
                                           #27 was to reverse the transfer of coho                 authorized by 50 CFR 660.408(d)(1)(vi).               preseason. Inseason action to modify
                                           quota that was implemented under                        Inseason action to modify quotas is                   limited retention regulations is
                                           inseason action #23. The recreational                   authorized by 50 CFR 660.409(b)(1)(i).                authorized by 50 CFR 660.409(b)(1)(ii).
                                           fishery in the Columbia River subarea                      Consultation date and participants:                  Consultation date and participants:
                                           closed on August 12, 2018, with an                      Consultation on inseason action #28                   Consultation on inseason action #30
                                           estimated remaining coho quota of                       occurred on August 23, 2018.                          occurred on August 23, 2018.
                                           3,558. The RA considered coho landings                  Representatives from NMFS, WDFW,                      Representatives from NMFS, WDFW,
                                           to date and determined that none of the                 ODFW, and the Council participated in                 ODFW, and the Council participated in
                                           2,400 coho quota previously transferred                 this consultation.                                    this consultation.
                                           under inseason action #23 was landed
                                                                                                   Inseason Action #29                                   Inseason Action #31
                                           in the recreational fishery in the
                                           Columbia River subarea prior to the                       Description of the action: Inseason                   Description of the action: Inseason
                                           closure of that fishery and that inseason               action #29 adjusted the recreational                  action #31 adjusted the landing and
                                           action to return the quota to the                       salmon fishery in the Westport subarea                possession limit in the commercial
                                           fisheries from which it was transferred                 to be open seven days per week                        salmon fishery from Leadbetter Point,
                                           it was warranted. Inseason trades and                   (previously, it was open Sunday                       WA to Cape Falcon, OR, from 75 to 85
                                           transfers of quota between commercial                   through Thursday) with a daily bag                    Chinook salmon per vessel per landing
                                           and recreational fisheries north of Cape                limit of two salmon, both of which can                week.
                                           Falcon, OR, are authorized by 50 CFR                    be Chinook salmon (previously, the                      Effective dates: Inseason action #31
                                           660.408(d)(1)(vi). Inseason action to                   daily bag limit was two salmon, only                  superseded inseason action #16 on
                                           modify quotas is authorized by 50 CFR                   one of which could be a Chinook                       August 23, 2018, and remained in effect
                                           660.409(b)(1)(i).                                       salmon).                                              until the fishery closed on September
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                                              Consultation date and participants:                    Effective dates: Inseason action #29                19, 2018.
                                           Consultation on inseason action #27                     took effect on August 24, 2018, and                     Reason and authorization for the
                                           occurred on August 23, 2018.                            remained in effect until the fishery                  action: The purpose of inseason action
                                           Representatives from NMFS, WDFW,                        closed on September 3, 2018.                          #31 was to allow greater access to
                                           ODFW, and the Council participated in                     Reason and authorization for the                    available Chinook salmon quota. The
                                           this consultation.                                      action: The purpose of inseason action                RA considered coho and Chinook


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                                           63592            Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 237 / Tuesday, December 11, 2018 / Rules and Regulations

                                           landings and fishery effort and                         remained in effect until the fishery                  OR, to the recreational non-mark-
                                           determined that inseason action to                      closed on September 19, 2018.                         selective coho fishery on an impact-
                                           increase the landing and possession                        Reason and authorization for the                   neutral basis. This action adjusted the
                                           limit in the fishery was warranted to                   action: The purpose of inseason action                quota in the non-mark-selective coho
                                           meet management objectives set                          #33 was to allow greater access to                    fishery from 3,500 to 7,600 coho.
                                           preseason. Inseason action to modify                    available coho quota. Considering coho                   Effective dates: Inseason action #35
                                           limited retention regulations is                        and Chinook salmon landings and                       took effect on September 12, 2018, and
                                           authorized by 50 CFR 660.409(b)(1)(ii).                 fishery effort, the RA determined that                remained in effect until the fishery was
                                             Consultation date and participants:                   inseason action to increase the landing               closed by inseason action #37 on
                                           Consultation on inseason action #31                     and possession limit in the fishery was               September 21, 2018.
                                           occurred on August 23, 2018.                            warranted to meet management                             Reason and authorization for the
                                           Representatives from NMFS, WDFW,                        objectives set preseason. Inseason action             action: The purpose of inseason action
                                           ODFW, and the Council participated in                   to modify limited retention regulations               was to provide access to available coho
                                           this consultation.                                      is authorized by 50 CFR                               quota. The annual management
                                                                                                   660.409(b)(1)(ii).                                    measures (83 FR 19005, May 1, 2018)
                                           Inseason Action #32                                        Consultation date and participants:                state that marked coho remaining from
                                              Description of the action: Inseason                  Consultation on inseason action #33                   the Cape Falcon, OR, to Humbug
                                           action #32 transferred 2,400 coho quota                 occurred on August 30, 2018.                          Mountain, OR, recreational mark-
                                           from the commercial salmon fishery in                   Representatives from NMFS, WDFW,                      selective coho quota may be transferred
                                           the area north of Cape Falcon to the                    ODFW, and the Council participated in                 inseason to the Cape Falcon, OR, to
                                           recreational salmon fishery in the                      this consultation.                                    Humbug Mountain, OR, non-mark-
                                           Columbia River subarea.                                                                                       selective recreational fishery if the
                                                                                                   Inseason Action #34                                   transfer would not result in exceeding
                                              Effective dates: Inseason action #32
                                                                                                      Description of the action: Inseason                preseason impact expectations on any
                                           took effect on August 30, 2018, and
                                                                                                   action #34 reopened the recreational                  stocks. The RA considered coho
                                           remained in effect until reversed under
                                                                                                   salmon fishery in the Columbia River                  landings and the STT’s calculations for
                                           inseason action #36 on September 12,
                                                                                                   subarea from September 2, 2018 through                the impact-neutral roll-over and
                                           2018.
                                                                                                   September 3, 2018.                                    determined that inseason action to roll
                                              Reason and authorization for the                        Effective dates: Inseason action #34               over the coho quota between these
                                           action: The purpose of inseason action                  superseded inseason action #25 on                     fisheries was warranted to meet
                                           #32 was to provide ample coho quota to                  September 2, 2018, and remained in                    management objectives set preseason.
                                           support re-opening the recreational                     effect through September 3, 2018, the                    Consultation date and participants:
                                           fishery in the Columbia River subarea                   closing date of the 2018 recreational                 Consultation on inseason action #35
                                           during the Labor Day holiday weekend                    salmon fishery north of Cape Falcon,                  occurred on September 12, 2018.
                                           (see inseason action #34, below).                       Oregon.                                               Representatives from NMFS, WDFW,
                                           Considering coho and Chinook salmon                        Reason and authorization for the                   ODFW, and the Council participated in
                                           landings to date in the commercial and                  action: The purpose of inseason action                this consultation.
                                           recreational fisheries and fishery effort,              #34 was to provide recreational fishing
                                           the RA determined that inseason action                  opportunity in the Columbia River                     Inseason Action #36
                                           to transfer available coho quota from the               subarea during the Labor Day holiday                     Description of the action: Inseason
                                           commercial fishery to the recreational                  weekend. As described under inseason                  action #36 reversed the transfer of coho
                                           fishery was warranted to support the                    action #32, above, the RA considered                  quota to the recreational salmon fishery
                                           economic benefit of the fishery                         landings to date, fishery effort, and                 in the Columbia River subarea that was
                                           dependent community in the Columbia                     available quota, and determined that                  implemented under inseason action
                                           River subarea and consistent with                       inseason action to re-open the                        #32. The 2,400 coho quota was returned
                                           management goals set preseason.                         recreational fishery in the Columbia                  to the commercial salmon fishery in the
                                           Inseason trades and transfers of quota                  River subarea was warranted to provide                area north of Cape Falcon, OR, without
                                           between commercial and recreational                     economic benefit and to be consistent                 adjustment.
                                           fisheries north of Cape Falcon, OR, are                 with management objectives set                           Effective dates: Inseason action #36
                                           authorized by 50 CFR 660.408(d)(1)(vi).                 preseason. Inseason trades and transfers              took effect on September 12, 2018, and
                                           Inseason action to modify quotas is                     of quota between commercial and                       remained in effect until the commercial
                                           authorized by 50 CFR 660.409(b)(1)(i).                  recreational fisheries north of Cape                  salmon fishery north of Cape Falcon,
                                              Consultation date and participants:                  Falcon, OR, are authorized by 50 CFR                  OR, closed on September 19, 2018, as
                                           Consultation on inseason action #32                     660.408(d)(1)(vi). Inseason action to                 scheduled preseason.
                                           occurred on August 30, 2018.                            modify quotas is authorized by 50 CFR                    Reason and authorization for the
                                           Representatives from NMFS, WDFW,                        660.409(b)(1)(i).                                     action: The purpose of inseason action
                                           ODFW, and the Council participated in                      Consultation date and participants:                #36 was to reverse the transfer of coho
                                           this consultation.                                      Consultation on inseason action #34                   quota that was implemented under
                                                                                                   occurred on August 30, 2018.                          inseason action #32. The recreational
                                           Inseason Action #33
                                                                                                   Representatives from NMFS, WDFW,                      fishery in the Columbia River subarea
                                             Description of the action: Inseason                   ODFW, and the Council participated in                 closed on September 3, 2018, with an
                                           action #33 adjusted the landing and                     this consultation.                                    estimated remaining coho quota of
                                           possession limit in the commercial                                                                            2,854. The RA considered coho landings
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                                           salmon fishery north of Cape Falcon,                    Inseason Action #35                                   to date and determined that none of the
                                           OR, from 10 to 25 coho, marked with a                     Description of the action: Inseason                 2,400 coho quota previously transferred
                                           healed adipose fin clip, per vessel per                 action #35 rolled over remaining coho                 under inseason action #32 was landed
                                           landing week.                                           quota from the recreational mark-                     in the recreational fishery in the
                                             Effective dates: Inseason action #33                  selective coho fishery in the area from               Columbia River subarea prior to the
                                           took effect August 30, 2018, and                        Cape Falcon, OR, to Humbug Mountain,                  closure of that fishery on September 3,


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                                                            Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 237 / Tuesday, December 11, 2018 / Rules and Regulations                                            63593

                                           2018, and that inseason action to return                and the Council participated in this                  requirements of the annual management
                                           the quota to the fisheries from which it                consultation.                                         measures for ocean salmon fisheries (83
                                           was transferred it was warranted.                          All other restrictions and regulations             FR 19005, May 1, 2018), the Pacific
                                           Inseason trades and transfers of quota                  remain in effect as announced for the                 Coast Salmon Fishery Management Plan
                                           between commercial and recreational                     2018 ocean salmon fisheries and 2019                  (FMP), and regulations implementing
                                           fisheries north of Cape Falcon, OR, are                 salmon fisheries opening prior to May 1,              the FMP under 50 CFR 660.409 and
                                           authorized by 50 CFR 660.408(d)(1)(vi).                 2019 (83 FR 19005, May 1, 2018), and                  660.411. Prior notice and opportunity
                                           Inseason action to modify quotas is                     as modified by prior inseason actions.                for public comment was impracticable
                                           authorized by 50 CFR 660.409(b)(1)(i).                     The RA determined that the best                    because NMFS and the state agencies
                                              Consultation date and participants:                  available information indicated that                  had insufficient time to provide for
                                           Consultation on inseason action #36                     coho, Chinook salmon, and Pacific                     prior notice and the opportunity for
                                           occurred on September 12, 2018.                         halibut abundance forecasts and                       public comment between the time coho,
                                           Representatives from NMFS, WDFW,                        expected fishery effort in 2018                       Chinook salmon, and Pacific halibut
                                           ODFW, and the Council participated in                   supported the above inseason actions                  catch and effort projections and
                                           this consultation.                                      recommended by the states of                          abundance forecasts were developed
                                                                                                   Washington, Oregon, and California.                   and fisheries impacts were calculated,
                                           Inseason Action #37                                     The states manage the fisheries in state              and the time the fishery modifications
                                              Description of the action: Inseason                  waters adjacent to the areas of the U.S.              had to be implemented in order to
                                           action #37 closed the recreational non-                 exclusive economic zone consistent                    ensure that fisheries are managed based
                                           mark-selective coho salmon fishery from                 with these federal actions. As provided               on the best available scientific
                                           Cape Falcon, OR, to Humbug Mountain,                    by the inseason notice procedures of 50               information, ensuring that conservation
                                           OR, due to projected attainment of the                  CFR 660.411, actual notice of the                     objectives and limits for impacts to
                                           available coho quota.                                   described regulatory action was given,                salmon species listed under the
                                                                                                   prior to the time the action was                      Endangered Species Act are not
                                              Effective dates: Inseason action #37
                                                                                                   effective, by telephone hotline numbers               exceeded. The AA also finds good cause
                                           took effect on September 21, 2018, and
                                                                                                   206–526–6667 and 800–662–9825, and                    to waive the 30-day delay in
                                           remained in effect through the end of
                                                                                                   by U.S. Coast Guard Notice to Mariners                effectiveness required under 5 U.S.C.
                                           the salmon fishing season.
                                                                                                   broadcasts on Channel 16 VHF–FM and                   553(d)(3), as a delay in effectiveness of
                                              Reason and authorization for the                     2182 kHz.                                             this action would allow fishing at levels
                                           action: The purpose of inseason action                                                                        inconsistent with the goals of the FMP
                                           #37 was to prevent exceeding the coho                   Classification
                                                                                                                                                         and the current management measures.
                                           quota in the fishery. The RA considered                    NOAA’s Assistant Administrator (AA)                   This action is authorized by 50 CFR
                                           coho landings and remaining quota and                   for NMFS finds that good cause exists                 660.409 and 660.411 and is exempt from
                                           determined inseason action was                          for this notification to be issued without            review under Executive Order 12866.
                                           necessary to stay within the adjusted                   affording prior notice and opportunity
                                           coho quota. Inseason action to modify                                                                           Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
                                                                                                   for public comment under 5 U.S.C.
                                           fishing seasons is authorized by 50 CFR                 553(b)(B) because such notification                     Dated: December 4, 2018.
                                           660.409(b)(1)(i).                                       would be impracticable. As previously                 Alan D. Risenhoover,
                                              Consultation date and participants:                  noted, actual notice of the regulatory                Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries,
                                           Consultation on inseason action #37                     action was provided to fishers through                National Marine Fisheries Service.
                                           occurred on September 19, 2018.                         telephone hotline and radio notification.             [FR Doc. 2018–26720 Filed 12–10–18; 8:45 am]
                                           Representatives from NMFS, ODFW,                        This action complies with the                         BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with RULES




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Document Created: 2018-12-11 01:07:10
Document Modified: 2018-12-11 01:07:10
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.
DatesThe effective dates for the inseason actions are set out in this document under the heading Inseason Actions.
ContactPeggy Mundy at 206-526-4323.
FR Citation83 FR 63587 
RIN Number0648-XG56

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