[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 91 (Monday, May 12, 1997)] [Rules and Regulations] [Pages 25872-25873] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 97-12211] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 660 [Docket No. 960429120-6120-01; I.D. 042997A] Fisheries Off West Coast and Western Pacific States; West Coast Salmon Fisheries; Closure from Point Lopez to Point Mugu, CA AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Closure; request for comments. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: NMFS announces that the commercial salmon fishery in the area from Point Lopez to Point Mugu, CA, was closed at 12 midnight (local time), April 22, 1997. The Regional Administrator, Northwest Region, NMFS, has determined that the commercial quota of 10,000 chinook salmon has been reached. This action is necessary to conform to the 1996 announcement of management measures for 1997 salmon seasons opening earlier than May 1 and is intended to ensure conservation of chinook salmon. DATES: Effective 2400 hours local time, April 22, 1997, through 2400 hours local time April 30, 1997. Comments will be accepted through May 27, 1997. ADDRESSES: Comments may be mailed to William Stelle, Jr., Regional Administrator, Northwest Region, NMFS, 7600 Sand Point Way NE., Seattle, WA 98115-0070, or William Hogarth, Acting Regional Administrator, Southwest Region, NMFS, 501 W. Ocean Blvd., Suite 4200, Long Beach, CA 90802-4132. Information relevant to this notice is available for public review during business hours at the Office of the Regional Administrator, Northwest Region, NMFS. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: William Robinson, 206-526-6140, or Rodney McInnis, 562-980-4030. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Regulations governing the ocean salmon fisheries at 50 CFR 660.409(a)(1) state that 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 Administrator to be reached on or by a certain date, NMFS will, by an inseason action issued under 50 CFR 660.411, close the commercial or recreational fishery, or both, for all salmon species in the portion of the fishery management area to which the [[Page 25873]] quota applies as of the date the quota is projected to be reached. In the 1996 management measures for 1997 ocean salmon fisheries opening earlier than May 1 (61 FR 20175, May 6, 1996), NMFS announced that the April 1997 commercial fishery in the area between Point Lopez and Point Mugu, CA, would open on April 15 and continue through April 28 or attainment of the 10,000 chinook salmon quota, whichever occurred first. The best available information on April 21 indicated that catch and effort data and projections supported closure of the commercial fishery in this area at 12 midnight, April 22. The Regional Administrator consulted with representatives of the Pacific Fishery Management Council and the California Department of Fish and Game in making this determination. The State of California will manage the commercial fishery in state waters adjacent to this area of the exclusive economic zone in accordance with this Federal action. As provided by the inseason action procedures of 50 CFR 660.411, actual notice to fishermen of this action was given prior to 2400 hours local time, April 22, 1997, by telephone hotline number 206-526-6667 or 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 stop the fishery upon achievement of the quota, NMFS has determined that good cause exists for this action to be issued without affording a prior opportunity for public comment. This action does not apply to other fisheries that may be operating in other areas. Classification This action is authorized by 50 CFR 660.409 and 660.411 and is exempt from review under E.O. 12866. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: May 5, 1997. Bruce Morehead, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 97-12211 Filed 5-9-97; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-F