Endangered and Threatened Species; Threatened Status for Southern Oregon/Northern California Coast Evolutionarily Significant Unit (ESU) of Coho Salmon

The NMFS is issuing a final determination that the Southern Oregon/Northern California Coast Evolutionarily Significant Unit (ESU) of coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) is a ``species'' under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973, as amended, and is being listed as threatened. Coho salmon populations are very depressed in this ESU, currently numbering less than 10,000 naturally-produced adults. The threats to this ESU are numerous and varied. Several human-caused factors, including habitat degradation, harvest, and artificial propagation, exacerbate the adverse effects of natural environmental variability brought about by drought, floods, and poor ocean conditions. NMFS has determined that existing regulatory mechanisms are either inadequate or not implemented well enough to conserve this ESU. While conservation efforts are underway for some populations in this ESU, they are not considered sufficient to change the likelihood that the ESU as a whole will become endangered in the foreseeable future. NMFS will issue shortly protective regulations under section 4(d) of the ESA, which will apply section 9(a) prohibitions to this ESU, with certain exceptions. NMFS does not expect those regulations to become effective before July 1, 1997. NMFS has further determined that the Oregon Coast ESU does not warrant listing at this time. Accordingly, NMFS will consider the Oregon Coast coho salmon ESU to be a candidate species in 3 years (or earlier if warranted by new information).