[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 138 (Wednesday, July 19, 1995)] [Proposed Rules] [Pages 37045-37046] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 95-17686] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE 50 CFR Part 661 [Docket No. 950426116-5116-01; I.D. 071095B] Ocean Salmon Fisheries Off the Coasts of Washington, Oregon, and California; Closure AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Closure. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: NMFS announces that the recreational salmon fishery in the area from Humbug Mountain, OR, to Horse Mountain, CA, was closed at midnight, July 1, 1995. The Director, Northwest Region, NMFS (Regional Director), determined that the recreational quota of 10,600 chinook salmon for the area had nearly been reached. This action was necessary to conform to the preseason announcement of the 1995 management measures and was intended to ensure conservation of chinook salmon. DATES: Effective at 2400 hours local time, July 1, 1995, until August 16, 1995. Comments will be accepted through August 3, 1995. ADDRESSES: Comments may be mailed to William Stelle, Jr., Director, Northwest Region, National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA, 7600 Sand Point Way NE., BIN C15700-Bldg. 1, Seattle, WA 98115-0070; or Hilda Diaz-Soltero, Director, Southwest Region, National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA, 501 W. Ocean Boulevard, Suite 4200, Long Beach, CA 90802-4213. Information relevant to this document has been compiled in aggregate form and is available for public review during business hours at the office of the NMFS Northwest Regional Director. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: William L. Robinson, 206-526-6140, or Rodney R. McInnis, 310-980-4030. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Regulations governing the ocean salmon fisheries at 50 CFR 661.21(a)(1) state: When a quota for the commercial or the recreational fishery, or both, for any salmon species in any portion of the fishery management area is projected by the Regional Director to be reached on or by a certain date, the Secretary will, by notice issued under Sec. 661.23, close the commercial or recreational fishery, or both, for all salmon species in the portion of the fishery management area to which the quota applies as of the date the quota is projected to be reached. In the annual management measures for ocean salmon fisheries (60 FR 21746, May 3, 1995), NMFS announced that the 1995 recreational fishery in the area between Humbug Mountain, OR, and Horse Mountain, CA, would open on May 17 and continue through July 8 or attainment of the 10,600 chinook salmon quota, whichever occurs first, with the fishery open Wednesday through Saturday only. The best available information on July 3 indicated that recreational catches in the area totaled 10,137 chinook salmon through Saturday, July 1, the most recent open period. Based on catch and effort rates, NMFS determined that insufficient fish remained in the chinook salmon quota for another day's fishing. Accordingly, in order to avoid exceeding the quota on the next opening, NMFS determined not to reopen the fishery on Wednesday, July 5, its next scheduled opening. [[Page 37046]] The Regional Director consulted with representatives of the Pacific Fishery Management Council, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the California Department of Fish and Game regarding this closure. The States of Oregon and California will manage the recreational fishery in State waters adjacent to this area of the exclusive economic zone in accordance with this Federal action. In accordance with the inseason notice procedures of 50 CFR 661.23, actual notice of this action was given to fishermen prior to 0001 hours local time, July 5, 1995, the next scheduled opening, 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. Because of the need for immediate action to conserve chinook salmon, the Secretary of Commerce has determined that good cause exists for this document to be issued without affording a prior opportunity for public comment. This document does not apply to other fisheries that may be operating in other areas. Classification This action is authorized by 50 CFR 661.21 and 661.23 and is exempt from review under E.O. 12866. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: July 12, 1995. Richard W. Surdi, Acting Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 95-17686 Filed 7-18-95; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-F