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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 240 (Friday, December 13, 2024)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 100917-100918]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-29383]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 300

[RTID 0648-XE447]

Fraser River Sockeye Salmon Fisheries; In-Season Orders

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

ACTION: Temporary rule; in-season orders.

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SUMMARY: NMFS publishes in-season orders to regulate treaty tribal and 
non-tribal (all citizen) commercial salmon fisheries in United States 
(U.S.) waters of the Fraser River Panel (Panel) Area. In 2024, a single 
order was issued by the Panel of the Pacific Salmon Commission 
(Commission) and approved and issued by NMFS for fisheries within the 
U.S. Panel Area. This order relinquished regulatory control of U.S. 
treaty tribal and all citizen commercial fisheries in U.S. Panel Area 
waters.

DATES: The effective dates for the in-season order is set out in this 
document under the heading In-season Orders.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Anthony Siniscal at 971-322-8407, 
email: [email protected].

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 the implementation of certain 
regulations of the Commission and in-season orders of the Commission's 
Panel for U.S. sockeye and pink salmon fisheries in the Fraser River 
Panel Area.
    The regulations close the U.S. portion of the Panel Area to U.S. 
sockeye and pink salmon tribal and non-tribal commercial fishing unless 
opened by Panel regulations that are given effect by in-season orders 
issued by NMFS (50 CFR 300.94(a)(1)). During the fishing season, NMFS 
may issue in-season orders that establish fishing times and areas 
consistent with the Commission agreements and regulations of the Panel. 
Such orders must be consistent with domestic legal obligations and are 
issued by the Regional Administrator, West Coast Region, NMFS. Official 
notification of these in-season actions is provided by two telephone 
hotline numbers described at 50 CFR 300.97(b)(1) and in 89 FR 44553 
(May 21, 2024). The in-season orders are published in the Federal 
Register as soon as practicable after they are issued. Due to the 
frequency with which in-season orders are generally issued, publication 
of orders during the fishing season is impracticable.

In-Season Orders

    The Fraser Panel did not issue any orders opening fisheries on 
sockeye or pink salmon in 2024. NMFS issued the following in-season 
order for U.S.

[[Page 100918]]

fisheries within Panel Area waters during the 2024 fishing season, 
consistent with the order adopted by the Panel. This order ended the 
period in which the Fraser Panel exerted regulatory jurisdiction. The 
in-season action was effective upon announcement on telephone hotline 
numbers as specified at 50 CFR 300.97(b)(1) and in 89 FR 44553 (May 21, 
2024); those dates and times are listed herein. The times listed are in 
Pacific Daylight Time (PDT) and the areas designated are Puget Sound 
Management and Catch Reporting Areas as defined in the Washington State 
Administrative Code at Chapter 220-301-030.
Fraser River Panel Order Number 2024-01: Issued 12 p.m. PDT, August 30, 
2024
Treaty Tribal Fishery
    Areas 4B, 5, and 6C: Relinquish regulatory control effective 11:59 
p.m. PDT, Monday, September 2, 2024.
Treaty Tribal and All Citizen Fishery
    Areas 6, 7, and 7A: Relinquish regulatory control effective 11:59 
p.m. PDT, Wednesday, September 4, 2024.

Classification

    The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries NOAA (AA), finds that 
good cause exists for the in-season orders to be issued without 
affording the public prior notice and opportunity for comment under 5 
U.S.C. 553(b)(B) as such prior notice and opportunity for comments is 
impracticable and contrary to the public interest. Prior notice and 
opportunity for public comment is impracticable because of insufficient 
time between the time the stock abundance information is available to 
determine how much fishing can be allowed and the time the fishery must 
open or close in order to harvest the appropriate amount of fish while 
they are available.
    The AA also finds good cause to waive the 30-day delay in the 
effective date, required under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3), of the in-season 
orders. A delay in the effective date of the in-season orders would not 
allow fishers appropriately controlled access to the available fish at 
that time they are available.
    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: December 10, 2024.
Karen H. Abrams,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-29383 Filed 12-12-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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