A public hearing on conformance with enforcement measures for state and federal commercial salmon regulations will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, April 21. The teleconference will take place at the Department of Fish and Game (DFG), 1416 9th St., Room 1206, Sacramento. Written comments must be received by 8 a.m., Monday, April 24, 2006. Emails will be accepted at sbarrow@dfg.ca.gov.

DFG is proposing regulatory changes that are required to enforce the federal landing and possession limits. The teleconference hearing (the phone number is 916-274-2918) is for receiving public comment and is required under Fish and Game Code Section 7652.1(b).?? Recommendations for the federal regulations were developed by the Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC), on April 7, 2006, and forwarded to the U.S. Secretary of Commerce for implementation by May 1, 2006.

DFG is proposing regulatory changes to enforce the federal landing and possession limits stipulated in the PFMC's recommendations for the 2006 commercial salmon fishery. The PFMC recommendations await approval by the National Marine Fisheries Service. The changes will stipulate that a total and accurate number of commercial salmon will be recorded on the landing receipt in the "Note Pad" field and a copy of the landing receipts will be required to be maintained onboard the fishing vessel that landed salmon for 90 days after the date salmon were landed.

This regulatory action is taken under the authority of Section 7652 of the Fish and Game Code, and is necessary for conformance of the commercial salmon fishing regulations in state waters to the Salmon Fishery Management Plan of the PFMC.