Rule2026-08321
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Recreational Fishing for Chinook Salmon in the Cook Inlet Exclusive Economic Zone Area
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
April 29, 2026
Effective
May 1, 2026
Issuing agencies
Commerce DepartmentNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Abstract
NMFS is prohibiting recreational fishing for Chinook salmon in the Cook Inlet exclusive economic zone (EEZ) Area. This action is necessary for the conservation of Cook Inlet Chinook salmon stocks that continue to be in a low state of abundance as assessed in the NMFS 2026 stock assessment and fisheries evaluation (SAFE) report and the 2026 State of Alaska forecasts of very low run strength.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 82 (Wednesday, April 29, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 82 (Wednesday, April 29, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 23020]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-08321]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 260410-0095; RTID 0648-XF683]
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Recreational
Fishing for Chinook Salmon in the Cook Inlet Exclusive Economic Zone
Area
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule; closure.
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SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting recreational fishing for Chinook salmon in
the Cook Inlet exclusive economic zone (EEZ) Area. This action is
necessary for the conservation of Cook Inlet Chinook salmon stocks that
continue to be in a low state of abundance as assessed in the NMFS 2026
stock assessment and fisheries evaluation (SAFE) report and the 2026
State of Alaska forecasts of very low run strength.
DATES: Effective 0001 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), May 1, 2026,
through 2400 hours, A.l.t., August 15, 2026.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Adam Zaleski, 907-206-5802.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the Cook Inlet EEZ Area
according to the Fishery Management Plan for Salmon Fisheries in the
EEZ off Alaska (Salmon FMP). The intended effect of this action is to
conserve and manage the salmon resources in the Cook Inlet EEZ Area in
accordance with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and
Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act). Regulations governing fishing by
U.S. vessels in accordance with the Salmon FMP appear at subpart H of
50 CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 679.
In accordance with 50 CFR 679.118(c)(1)(ii), the Regional
Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator) has
determined it is necessary to close Chinook salmon recreational fishing
for conservation and management purposes and is therefore prohibiting
recreational fishing for Chinook salmon in the Cook Inlet EEZ Area. In
making this determination, the Regional Administrator has considered
the following factors: the low proposed 2026 Chinook salmon acceptable
biological catch (ABC) in the Cook Inlet EEZ Area (proposed ABC of 261
Chinook salmon; 91 FR 20085, April 15, 2026), which is based on the
assessment of Chinook salmon in NMFS's 2026 SAFE report, found at
<a href="https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/alaska/commercial-fishing/cook-inlet-exclusive-economic-zone-salmon-stock-assessment-and-fishery">https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/alaska/commercial-fishing/cook-inlet-exclusive-economic-zone-salmon-stock-assessment-and-fishery</a>;
anticipated harvest rates, expected mortality, and the potential number
of participants in the commercial and recreational fisheries in the
Cook Inlet EEZ Area; and the State of Alaska's 2026 prediction of run
sizes. Newly released 2026 Chinook salmon forecasts from the Alaska
Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) predict very low run sizes for
Chinook salmon stocks in Cook Inlet, which is likely to negatively
impact the achievement of spawning escapement targets and returns
during future years. The ADF&G Chinook salmon forecasts can be found at
<a href="https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/sf/EONR/index.cfm?ADFG=region.NR&Year=2026&NRID=3989">https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/sf/EONR/index.cfm?ADFG=region.NR&Year=2026&NRID=3989</a>. As such, ADF&G has issued
a closure of recreational fishing in State marine waters of Upper Cook
Inlet effective May 1, 2026 through August 15, 2026, found at <a href="https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/sf/EONR/index.cfm?ADFG=region.NR&Year=2026&NRID=3976">https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/sf/EONR/index.cfm?ADFG=region.NR&Year=2026&NRID=3976</a>. This action parallels the
closure in State marine waters and prohibits recreational fishing for
Chinook salmon in the Cook Inlet EEZ Area May 1, 2026 through August
15, 2026.
Classification
NMFS issues this action pursuant to section 305(d) of the Magnuson-
Stevens Act. This action is authorized by 50 CFR 679.118(c)(1)(ii),
which was issued pursuant to section 304(c) of the Magnuson-Stevens
Act, and is necessary to carry out the Salmon FMP. This action is
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. Notice and
comment would be impracticable and contrary to the public interest, as
it would prevent NMFS from responding to the most recent information
regarding the status of Cook Inlet Chinook salmon stocks in a timely
fashion and would delay the closure of recreational fishing for Chinook
salmon in the Cook Inlet EEZ Area. A delay of this closure could result
in recreational harvest of Chinook salmon that is not supported by
current stock levels, which would prevent the conservation and
management objectives for the Cook Inlet EEZ Area salmon fishery. NMFS
developed this action as quickly as possible based on the relevant
information on stock levels for Chinook salmon, primarily NMFS's
finalization of the SAFE report that informs NMFS's proposed 2026 ABC
for Chinook salmon (91 FR 20085, April 15, 2026) and the State's
release of 2026 Chinook salmon forecasts for Cook Inlet.
There is good cause under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3) to establish an
effective date less than 30 days after date of publication. This
finding is based upon the reasons provided above for waiver of prior
notice and opportunity for public comment.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: April 27, 2026.
Kelly Denit,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries
Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-08321 Filed 4-28-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on April 29, 2026.
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