[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 234 (Tuesday, December 5, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 75866-75867]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-30818]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 300

 [I.D. 102600E]


Fraser River Sockeye and Pink Salmon Fisheries; Inseason Orders

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

ACTION:  Inseason orders.

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SUMMARY: NMFS publishes the Fraser River salmon inseason orders 
regulating salmon fisheries in U.S. waters. The orders were issued by 
the Fraser River Panel (Panel) of the Pacific Salmon Commission 
(Commission) and subsequently approved and issued by NMFS during the 
2000 sockeye and pink salmon fisheries within the U.S. Fraser River 
Panel Area. These orders established fishing times, areas, and types of 
gear for U.S. treaty Indian and all-citizen fisheries during the period 
the Commission exercised jurisdiction over these fisheries. Due to the 
frequency with which inseason orders are issued, publication of 
individual orders is impracticable. The 2000 orders are therefore being 
published in this document to avoid fragmentation.

DATES: Each of the following inseason actions was effective upon the 
dates and times as specified at 50 CFR 300.97(b)(1). Comments will be 
accepted through December 20, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be mailed to Donna Darm, Acting Regional 
Administrator, Northwest Region, NMFS, 7600 Sand Point Way N.E., BIN 
C15700-Bldg. 1, Seattle, WA 98115-0070. Information relevant to this 
document is available for public review during business hours at the 
office of the Regional Administrator, Northwest Region, NMFS.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: William L. Robinson, 206-526-6140.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The treaty between the Government of the 
United States of America and the Government of Canada Concerning 
Pacific Salmon was signed at Ottawa on January 28, 1985, and 
subsequently was given effect in the United States by the Pacific 
Salmon Treaty Act (Act) at 16 U.S.C. 3631-3644.
     Under authority of the Act, Federal regulations at 50 CFR part 300 
subpart F provide a framework for implementation of certain regulations 
of the Commission and inseason orders of the Commission's Panel for 
U.S. sockeye and pink salmon fisheries in the Fraser River Panel Area.
    The regulations close the Fraser River Panel Area (U.S.) to U.S. 
sockeye and pink salmon fishing unless opened by Panel orders or by 
inseason regulations published by NMFS that give effect to Panel 
orders. During the fishing season, NMFS may issue regulations that 
establish fishing times and areas consistent with the Commission 
agreements and inseason orders of the Panel. Such orders must be 
consistent with domestic legal obligations. The Regional Administrator, 
Northwest Region, NMFS, issues the inseason orders. Official 
notification of these inseason actions of NMFS is provided by two 
telephone hotline numbers described at 50 CFR 300.97(b)(1).

[[Page 75867]]

 Inseason orders must be published in the Federal Register as soon as 
practicable after they are issued. Due to the frequency with which 
inseason orders are issued, publication of individual orders is 
impractical. Therefore, the 2000 orders are therefore being published 
in this document to avoid fragmentation.
    The following inseason orders were adopted by the Panel and issued 
for U.S. fisheries by NMFS during the 2000 fishing season. The times 
listed are local times, and the areas designated are Puget Sound 
Management and Catch Reporting Areas as defined in the Washington State 
Administrative Code at Chapter 220-22.

Order No. 2000-1: Issued 5 p.m., July 21, 2000

Treaty Indian Fishery

    Areas 4B, 5 and 6C: Open for drift gillnets from 6 p.m. July 21, 
2000, to 12 noon July 26, 2000.

Order No. 2000-2: Issued 1 p.m. July 25, 2000

Treaty Indian Fishery

    Areas 4B, 5, and 6C: Open for drift gillnets from 12 noon July 26, 
2000, to 12 noon July 29, 2000.
    Areas 6,7 and 7A: Open for net fishing from 4 a.m. to 8 p.m. on 
July 26, 2000.

All Citizen Fishery

    Areas 7 and 7A: Purse seine fishery open from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. on 
July 27, 2000. Drift gillnet fishery open from 3 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. on 
July 27, 2000. Reef net fishery open from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. on July 29, 
2000.

Order No. 2000-3: Issued 4 p.m., July 25, 2000, and supersedes all 
previous inseason orders

Treaty Indian Fishery

    Areas 4B, 5, and 6C: Drift gillnet open from 12 noon July 26, 2000, 
to 12 noon July 29, 2000.
    Areas 6, 7 and 7A: Open for net fishing from 4 a.m. July 26, 2000, 
to 8 a.m. July 27, 2000.

All Citizen Fishery

    Areas 7 and 7A: Drift gillnet fishery open 8 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. 
July 27, 2000. Purse seine fishery open 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. July 28, 2000. 
Reef net fishery open from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. on July 29, 2000, and July 
30, 2000.

Order No. 2000-4: Issued 4 p.m. August 2, 2000, and supersedes all 
previous inseason orders

All Citizen Fishery

    Areas 7 and 7A: Purse seine fishery open from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. 
August 3, 2000, and from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. August 4, 2000. Drift gillnet 
fishery open from 7:15 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. August 3, 2000, and from 7:15 
a.m. to 11:59 p.m. August 4, 2000.

Order No. 2000-5: Issued at 4:00 p.m., August 5, 2000

Treaty Indian Fishery

    Areas 4B, 5 and 6C: Open for drift gillnets from 6 p.m. August 5 to 
6:00 p.m. August 7, 2000.
    Areas 6, 7 and 7A: Open for net fishing from 12:00 noon August 6, 
2000, to 6:00 p.m. August 7, 2000.

Order No. 2000-6: Issued at 4:00 p.m. August 8, 2000

All Citizen Fishery

    Areas 7 and 7A: Reef net fishery open from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. 
August 9, 2000. Purse seine fishery open from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. 
August 10, 2000. Drift gillnet fishery open from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. 
on August 10, 2000.

Order No. 2000-7: Issued at 4:00 p.m. August 15, 2000

All Citizen Fishery

    Areas 7 and 7A south and east of a line from Iwersen's Dock on 
Point Roberts to Georgina Point Light at the entrance to Active Pass in 
British Columbia: Purse seine fishery open from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. 
on August 16, 2000. Drift gillnet fishery open from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 
p.m. August 16, 2000.

Order No. 8-2000: Issued at 4:00 p.m. August 22, 2000

United States Fraser River Panel Area Waters

    Areas 4B, 5 and 6C, relinquish regulatory control effective August 
27, 2000.
    Areas 6 and 7 and Area 7A south and east of a line from Iwerson's 
Dock on Point Roberts to Georgina Point Light at the entrance to Active 
Pass in British Columbia, relinquish regulatory control effective 
August 27, 2000.

Classification

    Because these fisheries have been closed, NMFS has determined that 
good cause exists for this notification to be issued without affording 
a prior opportunity for public comment because such notification would 
be unnecessary, impracticable, and contrary to the public interest.
     This action is authorized by 50 CFR 300.97, and is exempt from 
review under Executive Order 12866.

    Authority:  16 U.S.C. 3636(b).

    Dated: November 28, 2000.
Bruce C. Morehead,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 00-30818 Filed 12-4-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE: 3510-22-S