NOAA Fisheries announces two inseason actions in the ocean salmon fisheries. These inseason actions modified the commercial fisheries in the area from Cape Falcon, Oregon to Point Arena, California.
The effective dates for the inseason action are set out in this document under the heading Inseason Actions. Inseason actions remain in effect until modified by additional inseason action or superseded by the 2013 annual management measures on May 1, 2013. Comments will be accepted through May 10, 2013.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by NOAA-NMFS-2012-0079, by any one of the following methods:
Electronic Submissions: Submit all electronic public
comments via the Federal eRulemaking Portal. Go to www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2012-0079, click the ``Comment Now!'' icon,
complete the required fields, and enter or attach your comments.
Mail: William W. Stelle, Jr., Regional Administrator,
Northwest Region, NMFS, 7600 Sand Point Way NE., Seattle, WA, 98115-
6349.
Fax: 206-526-6736, Attn: Peggy Mundy.
Instructions: Comments sent by any other method, to any other
address or individual, or received after the end of the comment period,
may not be considered by NMFS. All comments received are a part of the
public record and will generally be posted for public viewing on
www.regulations.gov without change. All personal identifying
information (e.g., name, address, etc.), confidential business
information, or otherwise sensitive information submitted voluntarily
by the sender will be publicly accessible. NMFS will accept anonymous
comments (enter ``N/A'' in the required fields if you wish to remain
anonymous). Attachments to electronic comments will be accepted in
Microsoft Word, Excel, or Adobe PDF file formats only.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Peggy Mundy at 206-526-4323.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
In the 2012 annual management measures for ocean salmon fisheries
(77 FR 25915, May 2, 2012), NMFS announced the commercial and
recreational fisheries in the area from the U.S./Canada Border to the
U.S./Mexico Border, beginning May 1, 2012, and 2013 salmon seasons
opening earlier than May 1, 2013.
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). Prior to taking inseason action, the Regional
Administrator (RA) consults with the Chairman of the Pacific Fishery
Management Council (Council) and the appropriate State Directors (50
CFR 660.409(b)(1)). Management of the salmon fisheries is generally
divided into two geographic areas: North of Cape Falcon (U.S./Canada
Border to Cape Falcon, Oregon) and south of Cape Falcon (Cape Falcon,
Oregon to the U.S./Mexico Border). The inseason actions in this
document all apply south of Cape Falcon.
Inseason Actions
Inseason Action 1
The RA consulted with representatives of the Council, California
Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), and Oregon Department of Fish
and Wildlife (ODFW) on March 9, 2013. The information considered during
this consultation related to projected abundance of Chinook salmon
stocks for the 2013 salmon fishing season.
Inseason action 1 adjusted the scheduled opening date for
the commercial salmon fisheries from Cape Falcon, Oregon to Humbug
Mountain, Oregon (Newport/Tillamook and Coos Bay subareas) and from
Humbug Mountain, Oregon to the Oregon/California Border (Oregon Klamath
Management Zone). These fisheries opened on April 1, 2013 rather than
March 15, 2013, as previously scheduled in the 2012 management
measures. This action was taken to conserve impacts on age-4 Klamath
River fall Chinook salmon (KRFC). On March 9, 2013, the states
recommended this action and the RA concurred; inseason action
1 took effect on March 15, 2013. This inseason action remains
in effect until superseded by inseason action or implementation of 2013
annual management measures which will be effective on May 1, 2013. This
inseason action is authorized by 50 CFR 660.409(b)(1).
Inseason Action 2
The RA consulted with representatives of the Council, ODFW, and
CDFW on March 9, 2013. The information considered during this
consultation related to projected abundance of Chinook salmon stocks
for the 2013 salmon fishing season.
Inseason action 2 cancelled the opening scheduled in the
commercial fishery from Horse Mountain, California
to Point Arena, California (Fort Bragg subarea), originally scheduled
for April 16, 2013. This action was taken to conserve impacts on age-4
KRFC. On March 9, 2013, the states recommended this action and the RA
concurred; inseason action 2 took effect on March 15, 2013.
This inseason action remains in effect until superseded by inseason
action or implementation of 2013 annual management measures which will
be effective on May 1, 2013. This inseason action is authorized by 50
CFR 660.409(b)(1).
All other restrictions and regulations remain in effect as
announced for the 2012 Ocean Salmon Fisheries and 2012 fisheries
opening prior to May 1, 2013 (77 FR 25915, May 2, 2012).
The RA determined that the best available information indicated
that the stock abundance, and catch and effort projections supported
the above inseason actions recommended by the states. The states manage
the fisheries in state waters adjacent to the areas of the U.S.
exclusive economic zone in accordance with these Federal actions. As
provided by the inseason notice procedures of 50 CFR 660.411, actual
notice of the described regulatory actions was given, prior to the date
the action was effective, by telephone hotline number 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.