Rule2025-23634
Fisheries Off West Coast States; Modification of the West Coast Salmon Fisheries; Inseason Actions #1-#5
Primary source
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Published
December 22, 2025
Issuing agencies
Commerce DepartmentNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Abstract
NMFS announces five inseason actions for the 2025 portion of the 2025-2026 ocean salmon fisheries. These inseason actions modify the commercial salmon fisheries in the area from the United States/Canada border to Cape Falcon, Oregon.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 243 (Monday, December 22, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 243 (Monday, December 22, 2025)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 59740-59743]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-23634]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 660
[Docket No. 250512-0084l; RTID 0648-XE941]
Fisheries Off West Coast States; Modification of the West Coast
Salmon Fisheries; Inseason Actions #1-#5
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Inseason modification of 2025-2026 management measures.
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SUMMARY: NMFS announces five inseason actions for the 2025 portion of
the 2025-2026 ocean salmon fisheries. These inseason actions modify the
commercial salmon fisheries in the area from the United States/Canada
border to Cape Falcon, Oregon.
DATES: The effective dates for these inseason actions are set out in
this document under the heading ``Inseason Actions'' and the actions
remain in effect until superseded or modified.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shannon Penna, (562) 980-4239,
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#411229202f2f2e2f6f11242f2f20012f2e20206f262e37"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="72211a131c1c1d1c5c22171c1c13321c1d13135c151d04">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The annual management measures for the 2025-2026 ocean salmon
fisheries (90 FR 20810, May 16, 2025; 90 FR 26943, June 25, 2025)
govern the commercial and recreational fisheries in the area from the
United States/Canada border to the United States/Mexico border,
effective from 0001 hours Pacific Daylight Time (PDT), May 16, 2025,
until the effective date of the 2026-2027 management measures, as
published in the Federal Register. NMFS is authorized to implement
inseason management actions to modify fishing seasons, catch limits,
and quotas as necessary to provide fishing opportunities while meeting
management objectives for the affected species (50 CFR 660.409).
Inseason actions in the salmon fishery may be taken directly by NMFS
(50 CFR 660.409(a)--Fixed inseason management provisions) or upon
consultation with the Chairman of the Pacific Fishery Management
Council (Council), and the appropriate State Directors (50 CFR
660.409(b)--Flexible inseason management provisions).
[[Page 59741]]
Management of the salmon fisheries is divided into two geographic
areas: north of Cape Falcon (NOF) (United States/Canada border to Cape
Falcon, OR) and south of Cape Falcon (Cape Falcon, OR, to the United
States/Mexico border). These actions affected the NOF commercial salmon
fishery, as set out under the heading Inseason Actions below.
Consultation with the Council Chairman and representatives for the
appropriate State Directors on these inseason actions occurred on May
16, 2025, May 22, 2025, June 5, 2025, June 11, 2025, and June 18, 2025.
These consultations included representatives from NMFS, Oregon
Department of Fish and Wildlife, and Washington Department of Fish and
Wildlife. Council staff and representatives from the Salmon Advisory
Subpanel and the Salmon Technical Team (STT) were also present.
These inseason actions were announced on NMFS' telephone hotline
and U.S. Coast Guard radio broadcast when the actions became effective.
(50 CFR 660.411(a)(2)).
Inseason Actions
Inseason Action #1
Description of the action: Inseason action #1 modified the ocean
salmon troll commercial fishery from the United States/Canada border to
Cape Falcon, OR.
Effective dates: Inseason action #1 took effect for the following
areas and dates, and remained in effect until superseded on May 22,
2025.
<bullet> Effective at 2 p.m. on Friday, May 16, 2025, through 11:59
p.m. May 22, 2025, for the ocean salmon troll commercial fishery, the
landing and possession limit for the entire area between Cape Falcon
and the United States/Canada border is 60 Chinook salmon per vessel per
landing week (Thursday through Wednesday).
<bullet> Effective at 2 p.m. on Friday, May 16, 2025, through 11:59
p.m. June 29, 2025, for the ocean salmon troll commercial fishery, the
landing and possession limit in the subarea United States/Canada border
to the Queets River was modified from 100 Chinook salmon per vessel per
landing week to 50 Chinook salmon per vessel per landing week (Thursday
through Wednesday).
<bullet> Effective at 2 p.m. on Friday, May 16, 2025, through 11:59
p.m. June 29, 2025, for the ocean salmon troll commercial fishery, the
landing and possession limit in the subarea Queets River to Leadbetter
Point is 50 Chinook salmon per vessel per landing week (Thursday
through Wednesday).
<bullet> Effective at 2 p.m. on Friday, May 16, 2025, through 11:59
p.m. June 29, 2025, for the ocean salmon troll commercial fishery, the
landing and possession limit in the subarea between Leadbetter Point
and Cape Falcon was modified from 80 Chinook salmon per vessel per
landing week to 60 Chinook salmon per vessel per landing week (Thursday
through Wednesday).
Reason and authorization for the action: Due to higher than
anticipated catch rates and effort in the early season period between
May 8, 2025, through May 15, 2025, the landing and possession limits
were decreased to preserve the quota for the length of the season, and
to manage the quota based on the specifics of each subarea consistent
with the Fishery Management Plan (FMP). To accompany this, a landing
and possession limit was set for the entire area NOF as well as limits
for particular subareas. Fishers were allowed to catch in multiple
subareas, but not exceed the NOF landing and possession limit when
combined. This overall landing and possession limit was intended to
further slow the fishery as it would avoid fishers catching the full
subarea limit in multiple subareas, and thus contribute further to
preserving the quota for the length of the season. Additionally, having
a limit for the entire NOF area and lower limits in certain subareas
ensures fair fishing opportunity throughout the fishery. One limit for
the entire NOF area allows for enhanced ability to manage the quota
effectively and prevent combined subarea catch from exceeding the
quota. The varying limits throughout the smaller subareas allow for
greater access to the quota based on the availability of fish in each
subarea, which allows for more equitable fishing opportunity.
The Regional Administrator (RA) considered the abundance forecasts
for Chinook salmon stocks, the timing of the action relative to the
length of the season, catch and effort to date, projected catch and
effort under the proposed action, and other relevant factors and
determined that the inseason action described above is necessary to
meet management and conservation goals set preseason. This inseason
action modifies species caught and landed during specific seasons and
the establishment or modification of limited retention regulations
under 50 CFR 660.409(b)(1)(ii).
Inseason Actions #2-#3
Description of action #2: Inseason action #2 modified the ocean
salmon troll commercial fishery from the United States/Canada border to
Cape Falcon, OR. The Chinook salmon landing and possession limit for
the commercial salmon troll fishery across the entire north of Cape
Falcon area, regardless of subarea, was modified from 60 Chinook salmon
per vessel per landing week to 70 Chinook per vessel per week
(Thursday-Wednesday).
Effective dates of inseason action #2: Inseason action #2 took
effect on May 22, 2025, at 5 p.m. and remained in effect until
superseded on June 5, 2025.
Description of inseason action #3: Inseason action #3 modified the
ocean salmon troll commercial fishery from the United States/Canada
border to Cape Falcon, OR.
Effective dates of inseason action #3: Inseason action #3 took
effect for the following areas and dates, and remained in effect until
superseded on June 12, 2025.
<bullet> Effective at 3 p.m. on June 5, 2025, through 11:59 p.m. on
June 29, 2025, the Chinook salmon landing and possession limit for the
entire north of Cape Falcon area, was modified from 70 Chinook salmon
per vessel per landing week to 125 Chinook salmon per vessel per
landing week (Thursday through Wednesday).
<bullet> Effective at 3 p.m. on June 5, 2025, through 11:59 p.m. on
June 29, 2025, for the ocean salmon troll fishery, the landing and
possession limit for the subarea between the United States/Canada
border and the Queets River is modified from 70 Chinook salmon per
vessel per landing week to 100 Chinook salmon per vessel per landing
week (Thursday through Wednesday).
<bullet> Effective at 3 p.m. on June 5, 2025, through 11:59 p.m. on
June 29, 2025, for the ocean salmon troll fishery, the landing and
possession limit for the subarea between the Queets River and
Leadbetter Point is modified from 70 Chinook salmon per vessel per
landing week to 125 Chinook salmon per vessel per landing week
(Thursday through Wednesday).
<bullet> Effective at 3 p.m. on June 5, 2025, through 11:59 p.m. on
June 29, 2025, for the ocean salmon troll fishery, the landing and
possession limit for the subarea between Leadbetter Point and Cape
Falcon is modified from 70 Chinook salmon per vessel per landing week
to 100 Chinook salmon per vessel per landing week (Thursday through
Wednesday).
Reason and authorization for Inseason Actions #2-#3: Inseason
actions #2-#3 were necessary to raise landing and possession limits
after lower than anticipated catch rates and effort were recorded for
the landing week of May 15, 2025, to May 21, 2025,
[[Page 59742]]
and the two landing weeks of May 22, 2025, to June 4, 2025. Overall
effort and catch rates decreased due to poor weather conditions over
the course of the time period. With the greater amount of quota
remaining there was opportunity to increase landing and possession
limits and provide greater access to the remaining May-June quota. In
addition, a landing and possession limit was set for the entire NOF as
well as limits for particular subareas. Fishers were allowed to catch
in multiple subareas, but not exceed the NOF landing and possession
limit when combined. This overall landing and possession limit was
intended to further slow the fishery as it would avoid fisheries
catching the full subarea limit in multiple subareas, and thus
contribute further to preserving the quota for the length of the
season. This allowed for an increase in fishing opportunities without
exceeding subarea landing and possession limits consistent with
conservation goals and prevented overfishing in some subareas.
Additionally, having a limit for the entire NOF area and lower limits
in certain subareas ensures fair fishing opportunity throughout the
fishery. One limit for the entire NOF area allows for enhanced ability
to manage the quota effectively and prevent combined subarea catch from
exceeding the quota. The varying limits throughout the smaller subareas
allow for greater access to the quota based on the availability of fish
in each subarea, which allows for more equitable fishing opportunity.
The RA considered the abundance forecasts for Chinook salmon
stocks, the timing of the action relative to the length of the season,
the catch and effort to date relative to the remaining quota, projected
catch and effort, and other relevant factors like weather, and
determined that these inseason actions described above are necessary to
meet management and conservation goals set preseason. These inseason
actions modify species caught and landed during specific seasons and
the establishment or modification of limited retention regulations
under 50 CFR 660.409(b)(1)(ii).
Inseason Action #4
Description of the action: Inseason action #4 modified the Chinook
salmon landing and possession limit for the commercial salmon troll
fishery across the entire north of Cape Falcon area, was modified from
125 Chinook salmon per landing week to 70 Chinook salmon per vessel per
landing week (Thursday-Wednesday).
Effective dates: Inseason action #4 took effect at 12:01 a.m. on
June 12, 2025, and remained in effect until superseded on June 18,
2025.
Reason and authorization for the action: Due to an increase in
effort and catch rates for the fishing week of June 5, 2025, through
June 11, 2025, the landing and possession limit was decreased across
all subareas to preserve the quota for the length of the season.
The RA considered the abundance forecasts for Chinook salmon
stocks, the timing of the action relative to the length of the season,
catch and effort to date, projected catch and effort under the proposed
action, and other relevant factors and determined that the inseason
action described above is necessary to meet management and conservation
goals set preseason. This inseason action modifies species caught and
landed during specific seasons and the establishment or modification of
limited retention regulations under 50 CFR 660.409(b)(1)(ii).
Inseason Action #5
Description of the action: Inseason action #5 modified the NOF
commercial salmon troll fishery. The spring season for the commercial
salmon troll fishery in the area north of Cape Falcon is closed.
Effective dates: Inseason action #5 took effect at 11:59 p.m. on
June 18, 2025, and remained in effect until the start of the summer
season, unless otherwise superseded.
Reason and authorization for the action: Due to high catch rates
during the landing week of June 12, 2025, through June 18, 2025, it was
necessary to close the fishery in order to avoid exceeding the quota.
The RA considered the abundance forecasts for Chinook salmon
stocks, the timing of the action relative to the length of the season,
catch and effort to date, projected catch and effort under the proposed
action, and other relevant factors and determined that the inseason
action described above is necessary to meet management and conservation
goals set preseason. This inseason action modifies quotas and/or
fishing seasons as authorized under 50 CFR 660.409(b)(1)(i).
All other restrictions and regulations remain in effect as
announced for the 2025-2026 ocean salmon fisheries (90 FR 20810, May
16, 2025; 90 FR 26943, June 25, 2025) except as previously modified by
inseason actions.
As provided by the inseason notice procedures at 50 CFR 660.411,
actual notice of the described regulatory actions was given, prior to
the time the actions became effective, by telephone hotline numbers
206-526-6667 and 800-662-9825, and by U.S. Coast Guard Notice to
Mariners broadcasts on Channel 16 VHF-FM and 2182 kHz.
Classification
NMFS issues these actions pursuant to section 305(d) of the MSA.
These actions are authorized by 50 CFR 660.409, which was issued
pursuant to section 304(b) of the MSA, and are exempt from review under
Executive Order 12866.
Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B), there is good cause to waive prior
notice and an opportunity for public comment on this action, as notice
and comment would be impracticable and contrary to the public interest.
Prior notice and opportunity for public comment on this action was
impracticable because NMFS had insufficient time to provide for prior
notice and the opportunity for public comment between the time Chinook
and coho salmon abundance, catch, and effort information were developed
and fisheries impacts were calculated, and the time the fishery
modifications had to be implemented in order to ensure fishing
opportunity consistent with conservation needs and management
objectives is made available, and/or fisheries are managed consistent
with quotas and conservation objectives. There is a heightened need to
respond quickly to inseason information about the salmon fishery
because fish migrate quickly through the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)
and the mix of stocks in the EEZ shifts throughout the season, thus the
time available between the time new information about the fishery
becomes available and the opportunity to act effectively on that
information is short. By the time public notice and comment would be
completed, the mix of stocks in the fishery would have changed such
that inseason action would be ineffective and potentially harmful.
Therefore, NMFS determined that waiving notice and comment in order to
respond to updated information indicating the need for immediate action
to provide fishing opportunity consistent with quotas and conservation
objectives, or to avoid exceeding quotas, served the public interest.
As previously noted, actual notice of the regulatory action was
provided to fishers through telephone hotlines and radio notifications.
These actions comply with the requirements of the annual management
measures for ocean salmon fisheries (90 FR 20810, May 16, 2025), the
Pacific Salmon Fishery Management Plan (FMP), and regulations
implementing the FMP under 50 CFR 660.409 and 660.411.
There is good cause under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3) to waive the 30-day
delay in effective date, as a delay in effectiveness
[[Page 59743]]
of this action would allow fishing at levels inconsistent with the
goals of the FMP and the current management measures.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: December 18, 2025.
Kelly Denit,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries
Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-23634 Filed 12-19-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on December 22, 2025.
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