Fisheries Off West Coast and Western Pacific States; West Coast Salmon Fisheries; Adjustment in the Opening Date of the Recreational Seasons from Point Arena to the U.S.-Mexico Border

NMFS announces that recreational salmon fisheries will open on April 1, 2000, in the area from Pigeon Point, CA, to the U.S.-Mexico Border, and will open on April 15, 2000, in the area from Point Arena to Pigeon Point, CA. This action is consistent with the recommendations of the Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) and actions taken by the California Fish and Game Commission (Commission) to delay the recreational fisheries opening south of Point Arena by approximately 2 weeks from the opening dates identified in the 1999 ocean salmon fishery management measures. This action is intended to provide additional protection to Central Valley spring chinook and ensure congruency between state and Federal management measures.