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Rule2026-09973

Fisheries Off West Coast States; West Coast Salmon Fisheries; 2026 Specifications and Management Measures

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Published

May 19, 2026

Effective

May 16, 2026

Issuing agencies

Commerce DepartmentNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Abstract

Through this final rule, NMFS establishes fishery management measures for the ocean salmon fisheries off Washington, Oregon, and California for the season beginning May 16, 2026, until the effective date of the 2027 management measures which we expect to be May 16, 2027 (the 2026 ocean salmon fishing season), under the authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA). The fishery management measures include fishing areas, seasons, quotas, legal gear, recreational fishing days and catch limits, harvest guidelines, possession and landing restrictions, and minimum lengths for salmon taken in the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) off Washington, Oregon, and California. These measures are intended to prevent overfishing while achieving, on a continuing basis, the optimum yield from the fishery, to provide for the exercise of federally recognized fishing rights by West Coast Indian Tribes, to allow a portion of the salmon runs to escape the ocean fisheries in order to provide for spawning escapement, and to apportion the ocean harvest reasonably among non-Indian commercial and recreational fisheries.

Full Text

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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 96 (Tuesday, May 19, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 96 (Tuesday, May 19, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 29092-29107]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-09973]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 660

[Docket No. 260514-0235]
RIN 0648-BO06

Fisheries Off West Coast States; West Coast Salmon Fisheries;
2026 Specifications and Management Measures

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: Through this final rule, NMFS establishes fishery management
measures for the ocean salmon fisheries off Washington, Oregon, and
California for the season beginning May 16, 2026, until the effective
date of the 2027 management measures which we expect to be May 16, 2027
(the 2026 ocean salmon fishing season), under the authority of the
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA). The
fishery management measures include fishing areas, seasons, quotas,
legal gear, recreational fishing days and catch limits, harvest
guidelines, possession and landing restrictions, and minimum lengths
for salmon taken in the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) off
Washington, Oregon, and California. These measures are intended to
prevent overfishing while achieving, on a continuing basis, the optimum
yield from the fishery, to provide for the exercise of federally
recognized fishing rights by West Coast Indian Tribes, to allow a
portion of the salmon runs to escape the ocean fisheries in order to
provide for spawning escapement, and to apportion the ocean harvest
reasonably among non-Indian commercial and recreational fisheries.

DATES: This final rule is effective from 0001 hours Pacific Daylight
Time, May 16, 2026, until the effective date of the 2027 management
measures, as published in the Federal Register, which we expect to be
0001 hours Pacific Daylight Time, May 16, 2027.

ADDRESSES: The documents cited in this document are available on the
Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Council) website (<a href="https://www.pcouncil.org">https://www.pcouncil.org</a>) and the NMFS West Coast Region (WCR) website (<a href="https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/action/2026-ocean-salmon-specifications-and-management-measures">https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/action/2026-ocean-salmon-specifications-and-management-measures</a>).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shannon Penna at 562-980-4239, Email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#104378717e7e7f7e3e40757e7e71507e7f71713e777f66">[email&#160;protected]</a>.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

The ocean salmon fisheries in the EEZ (3-200 nautical miles (nmi);
5.6-370.4 kilometers (km)) off the coasts of Washington, Oregon, and
California are managed under the Pacific Coast Salmon Fishery
Management Plan (FMP). Regulations at 50 CFR part 660, subpart H,
provide the mechanism for developing and promulgating preseason
specifications and management measures and making inseason adjustments
to the management measures within limits set by the FMP by notification
in the Federal Register. Regulations at 50 CFR 660.408 govern the
establishment of annual management measures, and regulations at 50 CFR
660.409 govern the implementation of inseason adjustments. This rule
implements the management measures for the 2026 ocean salmon fishing
season.

Process Used To Establish 2026 Management Measures

Ocean salmon fishery management measures are established via a
collaborative process with the Council, States, Tribes, fishing
industry participants, anglers, and the public. The Council announced
its annual preseason management process for the 2026 ocean salmon
fishing season in the Federal Register on December 30, 2025 (90 FR
61127). NMFS published an additional notice of opportunity to submit
public comments on the 2026 ocean salmon fishery management measures in
the Federal Register on February 17, 2026 (91 FR 7263). These notices
announced the availability of key documents, the dates and locations of
meetings and public hearings regarding determining the annual proposed
and final modifications to ocean salmon fishery management measures,
and instructions on how to comment on those measures. The agendas for
the March and April Council meetings, which included the development of
the salmon measures, were published in the Federal Register (91 FR
5926, February 10, 2026, and 91 FR 13591, March 20, 2026) and posted on
the Council's website prior to the meetings.
In accordance with the FMP, the Council's Salmon Technical Team
(STT) and economist prepared four reports, which were made available on
the Council's website upon their completion. The first of the reports,
``Review of 2025 Ocean Salmon Fisheries,'' was prepared in February
when the first increment of scientific information necessary for
crafting management measures for the 2026 ocean salmon fishing season
became available. The first report summarizes biological and socio-
economic data from the 2025 ocean salmon fisheries and assesses the
performance of the fisheries with respect to the 2025 management
objectives for salmon stocks and stock complexes, as well as provides
historical information for comparison. The second report, issued March
2026, ``Preseason Report I Stock Abundance Analysis and Environmental
Assessment Part 1 for 2026 Ocean Salmon Fishery Regulations'' (PRE I),
provides the 2026 salmon stock abundance projections and analyzes

[[Page 29093]]

how the salmon stocks defined in the FMP and Council management goals
would be affected if the 2025 management measures (the no-action
alternative under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)) were
continued for the 2026 ocean salmon fishing season. The completion of
PRE I is the initial step in developing and evaluating the full suite
of preseason alternatives for the 2026 fishing season.
Following the completion of the first two reports, the Council met
from March 3 to 9, 2026, to develop 2026 management alternatives for
proposal to the public and consideration under NEPA. The Council
proposed three alternatives for commercial and recreational fisheries
management and three alternatives for treaty Indian fisheries
management for analysis and public comment. Development of the
alternatives considered the information in the first two Council
reports as well as public comment received at that time and other
available information. These alternatives consisted of various
combinations of management measures designed to ensure that stocks of
coho salmon and Chinook salmon meet conservation goals, to provide for
ocean harvests of more abundant stocks, to provide reasonably sharing
of harvest among ports and sectors, and to provide for the exercise of
Indian treaty fishing rights. After the March Council meeting, the
Council's STT and economist prepared a third report, ``Preseason Report
II Proposed Alternatives and Environmental Assessment Part 2 for 2026
Ocean Salmon Fishery Regulations'' (PRE II), which analyzes the effects
of the proposed 2026 ocean salmon fishing season management
alternatives. In addition, a meeting between the U.S. and Canadian
salmon managers provided additional forecast and harvest information
related to southern U.S. stocks, including those that are part of the
fisheries managed under the FMP.
The Council sponsored public hearings in person to receive
testimony on the proposed alternatives on March 23, 2026, for
Washington and California, and on March 24, 2026, for Oregon. In
addition, the States of Washington, Oregon, and California sponsored
meetings in various forums that also collected public testimony. The
public also provided testimony at the March and April Council meetings
and electronic submissions via the Council's electronic portal and
<a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>.
Members of several federally recognized Tribes, including Tribes
with treaty-reserved fishing rights, testified at the March and April
Council meetings. Additional tribal comments were submitted in writing.
The Columbia River Treaty Tribes and the Confederated Tribes of the
Colville Reservation expressed urgent concern that contemporary salmon
runs have dwindled to small fractions of historic levels, failing to
meet the spiritual, cultural, and subsistence needs of their people.
While the tribes have invested heavily in habitat restoration, hatchery
programs, and fish passage projects, they argue that they cannot bear
the conservation burden alone and urged the Council to set conservative
ocean fishery limits to ensure adequate upriver escapement. Beyond
harvest allocations, the tribes identified systemic threats to salmon
survival, including lethal river temperatures, high sedimentation, and
intense predation by birds and non-native species. Furthermore, they
highlighted emerging stressors such as climate change and the rapid
growth of water-intensive data centers, which disrupt the electrical
grid and further degrade critical aquatic environments.
The Council adopted its recommendations for submission to NMFS for
the 2026 ocean salmon management measures at its April meeting. The
Council's STT and economist then prepared a fourth report, ``Preseason
Report III Analysis of Council-Adopted Management Measures for 2026
Ocean Salmon Fisheries'' (PRE III), which analyzes the environmental
and socioeconomic effects of the Council's final recommendations (the
Council's preferred alternative under NEPA). The Council transmitted
the recommended management measures to NMFS on April 24, 2026, and
published them on its website (<a href="https://www.pcouncil.org">https://www.pcouncil.org</a>).
Under the FMP, the ocean salmon management cycle begins May 16 and
continues through until the effective date of the 2027 management
measures. This final rule is effective on May 16, 2026, consistent with
the FMP, and governs the federally managed ocean salmon fisheries from
that date until the effective date of the 2027 management measures,
which we expect to be May 16, 2027. Fisheries in 2026 that were open
prior to May 16, 2026, were governed by the final rule implementing the
salmon fishery management measures for the 2025 ocean salmon fishing
season (90 FR 20810, May 16, 2025; 90 FR 26943, June 25, 2025). Salmon
fisheries that were scheduled to open before May 16, 2026, under the
2025 rule are:
<bullet> Commercial ocean salmon fisheries from the U.S./Canada
border to the U.S./Mexico border;
<bullet> Recreational ocean salmon fisheries from Cape Falcon, OR,
to Humbug Mountain, OR;
<bullet> Recreational ocean salmon fisheries from the Oregon/
California border to the U.S./Mexico border; and
<bullet> Treaty Indian troll ocean salmon fisheries north of Cape
Falcon.
Several fisheries scheduled to open between March 15, 2026, and May
15, 2026, were closed or modified through inseason action in response
to updated salmon stock forecast information for 2026. Analysts
included the impacts of all fisheries occurring between March 15, 2026,
and May 15, 2026, in their assessment of the impacts of 2026 fisheries
on individual stocks.

National Environmental Policy Act

The environmental assessment (EA) for this action comprises the
documents described above (PRE I, PRE II, and PRE III), providing an
analysis of environmental and socioeconomic effects under NEPA. The EA
and its related Finding of No Significant Impact are posted on the NMFS
WCR website (<a href="https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/west-coast/laws-policies/west-coast-salmon-harvest-nepa-documents">https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/west-coast/laws-policies/west-coast-salmon-harvest-nepa-documents</a>).

Resource Status

Stocks of Concern

The FMP requires that the fisheries be managed to meet escapement-
based annual catch limits (ACLs), requirements to limit impacts on
species listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), obligations of
the Pacific Salmon Treaty (PST) between the United States and Canada,
and other conservation and management objectives. In addition, all
regulations must be consistent with other applicable laws, including
Tribal treaties and other sources of law regarding Tribal fisheries.
The ocean salmon fisheries managed under the FMP are mixed-stock
fisheries, and NMFS and the State and Tribal managers use ``weak
stock'' management to avoid exceeding limits for the stocks with the
most constraining limits. Abundance forecasts for individual salmon
stocks can vary significantly from one year to the next; therefore, the
stocks that constrain the fishery in one year may differ from those
that constrain the fishery in the next. For 2026, the stocks described
below will constrain fisheries.
Fisheries south of Cape Falcon, Oregon, are limited in 2026
primarily by conservation concerns for Klamath River fall-run Chinook
salmon (KRFC), Sacramento River fall-run Chinook salmon (SRFC), ESA-
listed California Coastal (CC) Chinook salmon, and ESA-

[[Page 29094]]

listed Southern Oregon/Northern California Coast (SONCC) coho salmon.
Fisheries north of Cape Falcon are limited by conservation
requirements for the natural spawning component of the ESA-listed lower
Columbia River coho salmon (Lower Columbia Natural or LCN coho salmon)
Evolutionarily Significant Unit (ESU), ESA-listed Oregon coast natural
(OCN) coho salmon, and the ESA-listed lower Columbia River (LCR)
natural tule Chinook salmon. Based on the most recent 3-year geometric
means of spawning escapement (2022-2024), Queets River spring/summer
Chinook salmon, which were designated as overfished in 2023, since 2024
has met the criteria for being classified as not overfished,
rebuilding, and the stock will continue to be managed under the
rebuilding plan until it is rebuilt. It was not a limiting stock in
planning the 2026 ocean salmon fishing season.
The limitations imposed to protect these stocks are described
below. The management measures for 2026 are designed to avoid exceeding
these limitations.
KRFC (non-ESA-listed): KRFC were declared overfished in 2018. The
most recent 3-year geometric mean of spawners of 34,093 (2023-2025) is
above the minimum stock size threshold (MSST = 30,525); therefore, KRFC
no longer meets the criteria for overfished status and is now
considered not overfished-rebuilding. Fisheries will continue to be
managed under the rebuilding plan adopted in 2020 consistent with the
requirements of the MSA and the FMP (See 50 CFR 660.413(a)) until the
stock is determined to be rebuilt.
The KRFC salmon stock has been managed under de minimis
exploitation rates that apply when forecast escapement is below the
level associated with maximum sustainable yield (S<INF>MSY</INF>) since
2020. Under the rebuilding plan, which includes the harvest control
rule for KRFC described in the FMP, the 2026 forecast allows only de
minimis fishing this year, i.e., a total allowable exploitation rate of
25 percent (including all ocean and river fisheries, including tribal
fisheries). This limit will constrain fisheries south of Cape Falcon.
The potential for critically low natural spawner abundance could be
considered high based on the STT review of the factors in Section
3.3.6.1 of the Pacific Coast Salmon FMP (PFMC 2026[Pre-II]). The 2026
management measures are forecast to result in an escapement of 30,143
KRFC natural spawners, which is below the stock's MSST (30,525). A
natural-area escapement of 30,143 adults would represent the 18th
lowest value over the past 48 years of data.
Environmental indicators for KRFC are consistent with low returns
in 2026 and 2027. Removal of the four lower Klamath River dams has been
completed, opening several hundred miles of new habitat, and
restoration actions are underway. However, considerable uncertainty
exists over how removal of the lower four Klamath River dams completed
in 2024 might affect adult recolonization, spawning, and juvenile
productivity.
SRFC (non-ESA-listed): The preliminary 2026 Sacramento Index (SI)
forecast is 392,349, the highest since 2022. Application of this
forecast to the SRFC harvest control rule results in a maximum
allowable exploitation rate (ER) of 52 percent and a minimum hatchery
and natural area escapement of 188,328 adults. However, cautious
management is warranted this year given a number of factors, including
the recent overfished status of the stock and relatively low returns
that were below preseason expectations in recent years. SRFC was
declared overfished in 2018. In 2021, NMFS declared the SRFC stock
rebuilt because of increased escapements in 2019 and 2020. The adopted
management measures result in a projected escapement of 211,143, which
is well above the upper end of the conservation objective range of
122,000-180,000 combined hatchery and natural area adult spawners and
above the Allowable Catch Limit of 188,328 spawners for the stock.
Indicators for the SRFC return in 2026 are mixed, which lead the
Council to design fisheries with the goal of ensuring escapement of at
least 180,000 fish, the high end of the conservation objective in the
FMP. On one hand, the 2026 forecast is the highest since 2022. The 2025
escapement exceeded expectations and was well above the escapement
floor. The stock status is above the overfished threshold. On the other
hand, escapements in the previous 5 years were projected to be above
the escapement floor and generally fell well short of preseason
projections even though fisheries were closed or severely constrained
in 2023-2025. The pattern of low recent year escapements, combined with
higher than anticipated exploitation rates, and over-forecasting remain
a cause for concern for 2026. Habitat indicators for SRFC in 2026 are
mixed, but jack returns to hatcheries in 2024 and 2025 were relatively
strong.
Habitat indicators for the most recent brood years suggest
outmigration flows were improved for SRFC, and early marine predation
pressure may have been relatively low, but recent outmigration
temperatures were unfavorably warm. The Sacramento River experienced
low flows and high temperatures in recent years associated with decades
of frequent droughts and poor ocean conditions; these conditions have
adversely affected the stock. Escapement of natural area spawners for
this stock were also poor for much of the past decade, limiting the
stocks' ability to take advantage when stream flows are favorable. Jack
returns (immature Chinook salmon are a predictor of adult returns in
the subsequent year) to hatcheries in 2024 and 2025 were stronger than
in recent years suggesting stronger returns of SRFC in 2026. One note
of caution is that thiamine levels in eggs from the 2024 and 2025
broods indicate high levels of deficiency that could cause upward of 25
percent egg-fry mortality in natural spawners.
SONCC coho salmon (ESA-listed threatened): The SONCC coho salmon
ESU has been listed as threatened under the ESA since 1997.
Conservation concerns for ESA-listed SONCC coho salmon will limit
fisheries south of Cape Falcon in 2026. The SONCC coho salmon ESU
consists of all naturally produced populations of coho salmon from
coastal streams between Cape Blanco, OR, and Punta Gorda, CA, and
limited artificial propagation programs. In April 2022, NMFS approved
new harvest control rules for SONCC coho salmon that limit the total
fishery (marine and freshwater) exploitation rate to 15 percent for all
populations within the SONCC ESU except the Trinity River coho salmon
population, which is limited to 16 percent. Coho salmon retention is
not permitted in California ocean salmon fisheries. The management
measures recommended by the Council for 2026 are consistent with these
harvest control rules.
CC Chinook salmon (ESA-listed Threatened): The CC Chinook salmon
ESU has been listed as threatened under the ESA since 1999. The ESU has
been managed for a conservation objective consistent with the ESA
consultation standard not to exceed a 16 percent age-4 ocean harvest
rate (HR) on KRFC salmon. In 2024, following several years in which
this standard was exceeded, NMFS approved a set of management measures
to avoid further exceedances. 50 CFR 660.410(d). One of the measures is
to apply a buffer on the consultation standard. The amount of the
buffer is determined as follows: NMFS and the Council calculate the
average percent error (defined as the difference between the preseason
projected HR and the post-season estimated HR divided by the post-
season estimated HR and

[[Page 29095]]

expressed as a percentage) averaged over the most recent 5 years and
apply the average percent error to the consultation standard. Only
positive percent error will be applied because the intent is to keep
the post-season harvest rate below the conservation objective. For
2026, the percent error is 43.3 percent. Therefore the 2026 ocean
salmon fisheries will be managed for a buffered pre-season age-4 KRFC
harvest rate of 8.6 percent (i.e., 16 percent age-4 KRFC ocean HR-
(0.463*0.16 percent age-4 KRFC)) so as not to exceed the consultation
standard of an age-4 KRFC HR of 16 percent. The management measures at
50 CFR 660.410(d) also require an allowable harvest level, landing and
possession limits, a catch trigger, quick reporting and inseason
management to ensure the fishery does not exceed the harvest rate. The
2024 biological opinion determined that authorization of the ocean
salmon fishery in the EEZ through promulgation of regulations
implementing the FMP, including the CC Chinook salmon conservation
objective and implementation of the new management measures, would not
jeopardize the CC Chinook salmon ESU.
LCR coho salmon (ESA-listed threatened): The LCR coho salmon ESU
has been listed as threatened under the ESA since 2005. In 2015, NMFS
conducted the most recent ESA section 7 consultation and issued a
biological opinion regarding the effects of federal fisheries and
fisheries in the Columbia River on LCR coho salmon. The opinion
analyzed the use of a harvest matrix to manage impacts on LCR coho
salmon. Management under the FMP is focused on LCN coho salmon, the
natural component of the LCR coho salmon ESU. Under the matrix, the
allowable harvest in a given year depends on indicators of marine
survival and parental escapement that influence spawning in the current
year. In 2026, federal ocean salmon fisheries and commercial and
recreational salmon fisheries in state waters, including the mainstem
Columbia River below Bonneville Dam, must be managed subject to a total
exploitation rate limit on LCR coho salmon not to exceed 23 percent. In
2026, LCR coho salmon will constrain the salmon fisheries in the EEZ,
particularly those north of Cape Falcon, such that, when combined with
commercial and recreational fisheries in state marine waters and the
mainstem Columbia River, the ESA requirement is met.
LCR Chinook salmon (ESA-listed threatened): The LCR Chinook salmon
ESU comprises a spring component, a far-north migrating bright
component, and a tule component. The bright and tule components both
have fall run timing. There are 21 separate populations within the tule
component of this ESU. Unlike the spring or bright populations of the
ESU, LCR tule populations are caught in large numbers in Federal
fisheries off the southern U.S. West Coast, as well as fisheries to the
north (Canada and Alaska) and in the Columbia River. Therefore, this
component of the ESU is the one most likely to constrain Federal
fisheries in the area between the U.S. Canada border and Cape Falcon.
After accounting for anticipated impacts in northern fisheries and
other fisheries that are outside the U.S West Coast EEZ, these Federal
fisheries are managed subject to an abundance-based management (ABM)
framework that NMFS analyzed in a 2012 biological opinion. Applying the
ABM framework to the 2026 preseason abundance forecast, the total LCR
tule exploitation rate for all salmon fisheries is limited to a maximum
of 41 percent. Fisheries will be constrained north of Cape Falcon in
2026 such that when combined with all other salmon fisheries in the
ocean and the Columbia River below Bonneville Dam, the ESA requirement
is met.
OCN coho salmon (ESA-listed threatened): OCN coho salmon is an
aggregate coho salmon stock that largely corresponds to the Oregon
coast coho salmon Evolutionarily Significant Unit (ESU) and is a
component of the Oregon Production Index (OPI) area coho. OPI area coho
production is dominated by hatchery coho salmon. Allowable fishery
impacts on OCN coho salmon are determined annually using a matrix that
considers parental escapement and OPI smolt-to-jack survival. The 2026
preseason prediction for OCN (river and lake systems combined) is
218,600 coho. Applying the harvest control matrix for 2026, the maximum
allowable exploitation rate is a combined marine/freshwater
exploitation rate not to exceed 30.0 percent.
Other Resource Issues
Southern Resident Killer Whale (SRKW) (ESA-listed endangered): The
SRKW distinct population segment was listed under the ESA as endangered
in 2005 (70 FR 69903, November 18, 2005). In 2021, NMFS approved
Amendment 21 to the FMP (86 FR 51017, September 14, 2021), which
establishes a Chinook salmon annual abundance management threshold
below which specific measures to limit the effects of the ocean salmon
fishery on Chinook salmon prey availability for SRKWs are implemented.
These measures include time and area closures, a quota limitation for
the north of Cape Falcon management area, and temporal shifts in
fishing. The forecast abundance compared with the Chinook salmon
abundance threshold is reported annually in the above-referenced
preseason reports as required by the FMP.
Because the pre-season estimate of the abundance of Chinook salmon
in 2026 exceeds the threshold in the FMP, additional management
measures are not required by the FMP, including amendment 21 (Preseason
Report III; PFMC 2026).

ACLs (Annual Catch Limits) and Status Determination Criteria

ACLs are required for all stocks or stock complexes in the fishery
that are not managed under an international agreement, listed under the
ESA, or designated as hatchery stocks. An ACL is the level of annual
catch of a stock or stock complex that serves as the basis for invoking
accountability measures when certain conditions are met under the MSA
(Section 3.3.5 of the FMP). For salmon stocks, ACLs are defined as
levels of escapement, as explained further below. Under the FMP, ACLs
are set for two Chinook salmon stocks, SRFC and KRFC, and one coho
salmon stock, Willapa Bay natural coho salmon. The SFRC and KRFC salmon
stocks are indicator stocks for the Central Valley Fall Chinook salmon
complex and the SONCC Chinook salmon complex, respectively. The Far
North Migrating Coastal Chinook salmon complex (FNMC) includes a group
of Chinook salmon stocks that are caught primarily in fisheries north
of Cape Falcon and other fisheries occurring north of the U.S./Canada
border. No ACL is set for FNMC stocks because they are managed subject
to provisions of the PST between the United States and Canada (the MSA
provides an international exception from ACL requirements that applies
to stocks or stock complexes subject to management under an
international agreement, which NMFS defines by regulation ``any
bilateral or multilateral treaty, convention, or agreement which
relates to fishing and to which the United States is a party'' (50 CFR
600.310(h)(1)(ii)). Other Chinook salmon stocks caught in fisheries
north of Cape Falcon are ESA-listed or hatchery-produced and are
managed consistent with ESA consultations, hatchery goals, or the
provisions of the PST. Willapa Bay natural coho salmon is the only coho
salmon stock for which an ACL is set, as the other coho salmon stocks
in the FMP are either ESA-listed, hatchery-produced, or managed under
the PST.

[[Page 29096]]

ACLs for salmon stocks are escapement-based, which means they
establish a number of adults that must escape the fisheries to return
to the spawning grounds. ACLs are set based on the annual potential
spawner abundance forecast and a fishing rate reduced to account for
scientific uncertainty. In addition to ACLs, as described above, SRFC
and KRFC have conservation objectives expressed in terms of escapement
goals that were developed prior to the requirement for ACLs. Where the
conservation objectives exceed the ACLs, the management measures are
designed to achieve the conservation objectives. The surviving stock
after fishery-related mortality is generally referred to as spawning
escapement (S), and the proportion of the stock that succumbs to
fishing-related mortality is generally referred to as the exploitation
rate (F). These metrics constitute conservation objectives for FMP
Stocks. In addition, F<INF>MSY</INF> is the fishing mortality rate that
would result in MSY, S<INF>acceptable biological catch (ABC)</INF> is
the spawner escapement that is associated with the acceptable
biological catch, and S<INF>OFL</INF> is the spawning escapement
associated with the overfishing limit (OFL).
For SRFC in 2025, F<INF>MSY</INF> = 0.58. The SRFC F<INF>MSY</INF>
proxy of 0.58 was adopted in November 2024 following the 2024
Methodology Review. The OFL for SRFC is S<INF>OFL</INF> = 392,349 x (1-
0.58) = 164,787. Because SRFC is a Tier-2 stock, F<INF>ABC</INF> =
F<INF>MSY</INF> x 0.90 = 0.52, and F<INF>ACL</INF> = F<INF>ABC</INF>.
The ABC for SRFC is S<INF>ABC</INF> = 392,349 x (1-0.52) = 188,328,
with S<INF>ACL</INF> = S<INF>ABC</INF>. The recommended management
measures provide for a projected SRFC spawning escapement of 211,100.
For KRFC in 2025, F<INF>MSY</INF> = 0.71, the value estimated from
a stock-specific spawner-recruit analysis (STT 2005). The OFL for KRFC
is = 40,191 x (1-0.71) = 11,655. Because KRFC is a Tier-1 stock,
F<INF>ABC</INF> = F<INF>MSY</INF> x 0.95 = 0.68, and F<INF>ACL</INF> =
F<INF>ABC</INF>. The ABC for KRFC is S<INF>ABC</INF> = 40,191 x (1-
0.68) = 12,861, with S<INF>ACL</INF> = S<INF>ABC</INF>. The recommended
management measures provide for a projected KRFC spawning escapement of
30,144.
For Willapa Bay natural coho salmon in 2025, F<INF>MSY</INF> =
0.74, the value estimated from a stock-specific spawner-recruit
analysis. The OFL for Willapa Bay natural coho salmon is
S<INF>OFL</INF> = 35,153 x (1-0.74) = 9,140. Because Willapa Bay
natural coho salmon are a Tier-1 stock, F<INF>ABC</INF> =
F<INF>MSY</INF> x 0.95 = 0.70, and F<INF>ACL</INF> = F<INF>ABC</INF>.
The ABC for Willapa Bay natural coho salmon is S<INF>ABC</INF> = 35,153
x (1-0.70) = 10,546, with S<INF>ACL</INF> = S<INF>ABC</INF>. The
recommended management measures provide for a projected Willapa Bay
natural coho salmon spawning escapement of 29,800.
In summary, the 2026 management measures are expected to result in
escapements greater than required to meet the ACLs for all three stocks
with defined ACLs.

Public Comments

The Council invited written comments on developing 2026 salmon
management measures in their notice announcing public meetings and
hearings (90 FR 61127, December 30, 2025). At its March meeting, the
Council developed 3 alternatives for 2026 commercial and recreational
salmon management measures, having a range of quotas, season structure,
and impacts, as well as 3 alternatives for 2026 North of Cape Falcon
Treaty Indian troll ocean salmon management measures. These
alternatives are described in detail in PRE II. Subsequently, comments
were taken at three public hearings held in March, staffed by
representatives of the Council, NMFS, and the states. The Council
received 329 written comments via their electronic portal and 8 oral
comments on the 3 alternatives for the 2026 ocean salmon fisheries for
consideration at the April Council meeting. The 3 public hearings were
attended by a total of 158 people; 37 people provided oral comments.
Comments came from individual fishers, fishing associations, fish
buyers, processors, conservation organizations, and the general public.
Written and oral comments addressed the 2026 management alternatives
described in PRE II and generally expressed preferences for a specific
alternative or for particular season structures. All written comments
were made available via the Council's online briefing books for the
March and April 2026 Council meetings. In addition to comments
collected at the public hearings and those submitted directly to the
Council, several people provided oral comments at the March and April
2026 Council meetings. Written and oral comments received were
considered by the Council, which includes a representative from NMFS,
in developing the recommended management measures transmitted to NMFS
on April 23, 2026. NMFS also invited comments to be submitted directly
to the Council or NMFS via the Federal Rulemaking Portal (<a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>) in a notice (91 FR 7263, February 17, 2026); NMFS
received no comments via the Federal Rulemaking Portal.
Comments on alternatives for commercial salmon fisheries. Those
testifying on north of Cape Falcon commercial salmon fisheries at the
Washington hearing supported the non-treaty quotas and season structure
from Alternative I. Alternative I allows for time/area adjustments over
quota reductions to meet conservation objectives. These commenters
expressed support for inseason management as an invaluable tool to meet
conservation objectives while allowing flexibility to attain the full
quota. They highlighted higher projected ex vessel revenue under
Alternative I compared to Alternative III and underscored the
importance of the fishery to multigenerational fishing families and
coastal communities. Those testifying on south of Cape Falcon
commercial salmon fisheries at the Oregon hearing primarily supported
Alternative I with some commenters interested in combining elements of
Alternative I and III. Concerns were raised that the effort data being
used may no longer reflect current participation levels in the fleet.
In response, Oregon representatives noted that the most recently
available data from active fishing seasons are used and that this issue
is carefully considered by modelers. The written comments from
California showed no single unified preference between the
alternatives. Those testifying at the California hearing expressed
their frustrations with reduced fishing days, harvest limits, and low
weekly landing limits in the range of alternatives, stating that they
do not provide enough opportunity to be profitable. They testified that
landing limits also affect vessel operators differently based on vessel
size; larger vessels have higher operating costs and more deck hands
versus smaller vessels, so profitability is not the same across the
fleet. They strongly urged the Council to provide a season that is
economically viable.
Comments on alternatives for recreational fisheries. Those
testifying on fishery management alternatives north of Cape Falcon
favored Alternative I for the length of the season. They expressed
their view that Alternative I would provide a better mid-June through
September season, while Alternative III could reduce opportunity and
cause economic hardship. Those commenting on fishery alternatives south
of Cape Falcon in Oregon expressed support for Alternative I. The
majority of comments from California supported fishing under a hybrid
of Alternative I and Alternative III by adding the fall fishery in
Alternative I to Alternative III. Appreciation was expressed for the
opportunity provided in the 2025

[[Page 29097]]

season, and even though it was limited, the economic boost to the local
ports and small businesses benefited the coastal communities.
The Council considered these comments in developing its final
recommendation to allow fishing opportunities and meet community needs
while also meeting conservation objectives and ACLs, and the
requirements of other applicable laws. Additional comments were made
regarding the fisheries that were not encompassed in the points made
above. We respond to key comments below.
Comment 1: Comments were received from the Let Our Salmon Come Home
campaign. These comments advocated for the Council to adopt positions
and fisheries management alternatives that support ecosystems,
watersheds, and communities that depend on salmon. They also advocated
for more terminal vs. mixed-stock fisheries, encouraging the Council to
engage with the Pacific Salmon Commission to constrain northern
fisheries in the upcoming renegotiation of the PST Annex.
Response: This final rule is consistent with the MSA including the
National Standards, the FMP, and other applicable laws including the
ESA, PST, and tribal fishing rights. NMFS and the Council's regulatory
jurisdiction under the MSA is limited to the EEZ off the U.S. West
Coast--terminal area fisheries are managed by the states and tribes.
The current PST Annex is relevant to this final rule as other
applicable law; the renegotiation of the Annex is not relevant to this
final rule.
Comment 2: The Golden Gate Fishermen's Association (GGFA), which
represents sport fishing interests in California, expressed three
primary concerns, which it indicated were generally in alignment with
the positions of the Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen's
Associations, which represents commercial fishing interests in
California. First, GGFA asserted that the alternatives for the 2026
ocean salmon season are unnecessarily restrictive, limiting the fleet's
access and opportunities. The management measures rely on overly
cautious management frameworks and precautionary assumptions and
requirements that do not reflect actual, present-day environmental and
fishing conditions. Second, the two models used to predict total
harvest give different results and should be aligned with the stocks
that are constraining the fishery to increase opportunity while
remaining within conservation limits. The California ocean salmon
fishery is a mixed-stock fishery, yet the models currently being used
are not designed to predict total harvest under mixed-stock conditions.
Third, the current calculation of ocean harvest rates does not
accurately reflect the California recreational fleet's conservation
record. While the models include years where harvest exceeded
thresholds, they failed to account for the 2 recent years when the
recreational fishery was closed (2023-2024) and its limited opening in
2025.
Response: Although not all of the issues in the comment apply to
the sport fishery for the referenced management framework, given the
alignment of positions expressed in the comment, NMFS feels it is
appropriate to respond to the full range of concerns.
First, 2026 is the first year of full implementation of the harvest
management framework for the CC Chinook salmon stock, an ESA-listed
species. The framework was adopted into regulation in 2024. It includes
a variety of management measures (including a buffer on the
consultation standard and landing and possession limits for the
commercial fleet) designed to ensure the fishery does not exceed the
ESA take limit for CC Chinook salmon. A buffer is applied to the
conservation objective in order to account for error between the pre-
season prediction and the post-season estimates of the harvest rate in
the previous 5 years. The closer the fishery is to preseason
expectations, the smaller the buffer. In 2026, applying the buffer to
the conservation objective results in a pre-season ocean harvest rate
of 8.6 percent for age-4 KRFC (increased from 7.7 percent in 2025). A
total catch limit and landing and possession limits in the framework
currently apply only to the commercial fleet, although the State of
California is managing the recreational fishery under a harvest
guideline to be precautionary. The buffered conservation objective
applies to both the commercial and recreational fleets (i.e., 8.6
percent in 2026). The framework was developed after the fishery
exceeded the conservation objective for the CC Chinook salmon ESU from
2018 through 2022 by 88 percent on average despite updates to harvest
management models intended to improve the predicted harvest rates in
the ocean salmon fishery. Significantly higher than expected catch
rates in the California commercial troll fishery and resulting higher
than expected Chinook salmon catch were major contributors exceeding
the ESA take limit for CC Chinook salmon in these years. The framework
is intended to directly address the primary contributors to the
exceedance of the limit and ensure the fishery stays within the limit
in the future. The framework also includes provisions that reduce
constraints if the fishery performs within its anticipated impacts.
Second, there are two main harvest models: the Sacramento harvest
model, which forecasts the number of SRFC that will be harvested in
ocean fisheries, and the Klamath harvest model, which forecasts the
number of KRFC that will be harvested. Both of these models are
designed to forecast the total mixed-stock or all stock harvest by
applying historical average proportions of SRFC and KRFC to the total
harvest.
Between the two stocks considered, SRFC is much more abundant than
KRFC in ocean fisheries, particularly in central and southern
California. When the projected harvest is expanded by historical
average proportions to determine the total all stock harvest, the
Sacramento harvest model expands the forecast by approximately 10-20
percent while the Klamath harvest model requires an expansion of 92
percent. Because the Klamath model relies on such a large expansion
factor, i.e., expansion of stock specific model harvest projections by
historical proportions to estimate the total harvest, the Sacramento
harvest model is more accurate for the purpose of setting catch limits
under the CC Chinook salmon framework.
Third, NMFS acknowledges the significant sacrifices made by the
fishing industry over the last 3 years in response to low KRFC and SRFC
abundances and uncertainty in abundance forecasts over the last 5-10
years. The CC Chinook salmon framework was developed to ensure that the
harvest rates on CC Chinook salmon stay within the ESA limit. The
regulatory framework is intentionally designed for the buffer on the
ESA limit to decrease in future years if fishery performance proves to
be consistent with the established conservation goals. In setting the
harvest rate limit each year under the framework provisions, the
performance of the fishery relative to the anticipated harvest rate is
taken into account. NMFS considered the fishery performance in 2024 and
2025 in setting the 2026 harvest limit for CC Chinook salmon. Given
past performance of the fishery, the uncertainty this year given the 3
years of closure for the commercial fleet and closure or significant
constraint on the recreational fishery, precaution is warranted. For
example, the 2025 recreational harvest guideline was exceeded by 25
percent.
NMFS remains committed to using the best available science to
balance the long-term viability of the salmon fishery

[[Page 29098]]

with necessary conservation requirements.

2026 Specifications and Management Measures

The ocean harvest levels and management measures for the 2026
fisheries are designed to apportion the burden of protecting the weak
stocks identified and discussed in PRE I reasonably among ocean
fisheries and to provide harvest opportunity of natural and hatchery
runs surplus to freshwater (or inside) fishery and spawning needs.
Management measures in the area north of Cape Falcon were shaped to
comply with the FMP objectives, including consultation standards, and
take into consideration year-specific circumstances. The 2026 Chinook
salmon total allowable catch (TAC) is slightly lower than the 2025 TAC
due to slightly lower forecasted abundances of Columbia River fall
Chinook salmon. The 2026 coho salmon TAC is increased compared to last
year's TAC mainly due to higher abundance forecasts for Columbia River
coho salmon stocks. Fisheries south of Cape Falcon will be heavily
constrained by KRFC, CC Chinook salmon, and SONCC coho salmon. Based on
the information provided in the four reports described above, the EA,
and discussion at public meetings and taking into account public
comments, NMFS concludes the recommended measures are consistent with
the requirements of the MSA, the ESA, U.S. obligations to Indian Tribes
with federally recognized fishing rights, and U.S. international
obligations regarding Pacific salmon. Accordingly, NMFS, through this
final rule, approves and implements the Council's recommendations.
The timing of the March and April Council meetings makes it
impracticable for the Council to recommend fishing seasons that begin
before mid-May of the same year. Therefore, this action also
establishes the early season fisheries that open earlier than May 16,
2027. These early openings could be modified via inseason action
depending on the 2027 abundance forecasts for the affected stocks. The
commercial and recreational seasons are scheduled to open after May 15,
2026, as indicated in Section 1. Commercial, Non-Indian, Troll Fishery
Management Measures and Section 2. Recreational Fishery Management of
this final rule. The Treaty Indian ocean troll seasons will open in
2026 as indicated in Section 3. Treaty Indian Management Measures.
Sections 1, 2, and 3 below set out the final specifications and
management measures for the commercial, recreational, and Treaty Indian
ocean salmon fisheries for 2026 and, as specified, for 2027. Section 4
provides requirements for halibut retention; Section 5 provides
geographical landmarks; and Section 6 specifies notice procedures for
inseason modifications. Those elements of the measures set forth in
sections 1 through 3 that refer to fisheries implemented prior to May
16, 2026, were promulgated in our 2025 rule (90 FR 20810, May 16, 2025;
90 FR 26943, June 25, 2025), as modified by inseason action, and are
included for information purposes and to provide continuity for the
public across fishing seasons and for states adopting conforming
regulations each May that refer to the Federal rule for the same year.
Fish caught in the areas south of Point Arena between May 1, 2026, and
the date on which this rule becomes effective, are counted towards the
harvest limit of 83,000 described in this rule.
As discussed above, aspects of these measures may be adjusted
through inseason action taken under 50 CFR 660.409, based on
information that becomes available during the season. Harvest
guidelines and vessel-based landing and possession limits will be
considered inseason. Inseason action to close fisheries, modify season
dates, or modify vessel-based landing and possession limits may be
considered when total commercial harvest in this management area is
approaching its harvest guideline.

Section 1. Commercial, Non-Indian Fishery Management Measures

Parts A, B, and C of this section contain the requirements for
participation in the 2026 commercial, non-Indian, salmon troll fishery.
Part A identifies fishing seasons and areas from north to south, the
salmon species and catch or landing limits allowed to be caught during
the seasons, and any other special restrictions effective in the area.
Part B specifies minimum size limits. Part C specifies other
requirements, definitions, restrictions, and exceptions.
Inseason modifications of the regulations may be necessary to
address conditions arising during the fishing season. See 50 CFR
660.409.

A. Season, Area, and Species Descriptions

North of Cape Falcon, OR
Spring Season
U.S./Canada Border to Cape Falcon
May 16 through the earlier of June 29 or the attainment of 37,300
Chinook salmon. If the Chinook salmon quota is exceeded, the excess
will be deducted from the summer all-salmon season described below.
Subarea guidelines are in place for the following areas:
U.S./Canada Border to Queets River
No more than 7,460 Chinook salmon.
Leadbetter Point to Cape Falcon
No more than 5,590 Chinook salmon.
Landing and possession limits are in place for the following
subareas and will be evaluated weekly, inseason. Landing week is
Thursday through Wednesday.
U.S./Canada Border to Queets River
May 16-20, 50 Chinook salmon per vessel per landing week.
Beginning May 21, 80 Chinook salmon per vessel per landing week.
Queets River to Leadbetter Point
May 16-20, 60 Chinook salmon per vessel per landing week.
Beginning May 21, 250 Chinook salmon per vessel per landing week.
Leadbetter Point to Cape Falcon
May 16-20, 50 Chinook salmon per vessel per landing week.
Beginning May 21, 80 Chinook salmon per vessel per landing week.
Open seven days per week. All salmon, except coho salmon.
In 2027, the season will open May 1, consistent with all preseason
regulations in place in this area and subareas during May 16-June 29,
2026, including subarea salmon catch limits and vessel landing and
possession limits.
Summer Season
U.S./Canada Border to Cape Falcon
July 1 through the earlier of September 30, the attainment of
18,700 Chinook salmon, or the attainment of 19,600 marked coho salmon.
Open 7 days per week. All salmon. All coho salmon must be marked
with a healed adipose fin clip. No chum salmon retention north of Cape
Alava, Washington, in August and September.
Landing and possession limit of 50 marked coho salmon per vessel
per landing week. Landing week is Thursday through Wednesday.
Landing limits will be evaluated weekly, inseason.
For all commercial troll fisheries north of Cape Falcon: Mandatory
closed areas include the Cape Flattery Control Zone, Salmon Troll
Yelloweye Rockfish Conservation Area (YRCA), and Columbia Control Zone.
Vessels must land and deliver their salmon within 24 hours of any
closure of this fishery. Vessels may not land fish

[[Page 29099]]

east of the Sekiu River or east of Tongue Point, Oregon.
During any single trip, only one side of the Leadbetter Point line
may be fished.
Vessels fishing for or in possession of salmon north of Leadbetter
Point must land and deliver all species of fish in a Washington port
and must possess a Washington troll and/or salmon delivery license. For
delivery to Washington ports south of Leadbetter Point, vessels must
notify the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) at 360-
249-1215 prior to crossing the Leadbetter Point line with area fished,
total Chinook salmon, coho salmon, and halibut catch aboard, and
destination with approximate time of delivery.
Vessels fishing or in possession of salmon while fishing south of
Leadbetter Point must land and deliver all species of fish within the
area and south of Leadbetter Point, except that Oregon permitted
vessels may also land all species of fish in Garibaldi, Oregon.
Washington-permitted vessels may also land all species of fish north of
Leadbetter Point. For delivery to Washington ports north of Leadbetter
Point, vessels must notify WDFW at 360-249-1215 prior to crossing the
Leadbetter Point line with area fished, total Chinook salmon, coho
salmon, and halibut catch aboard, and destination with approximate time
of delivery. Vessels in possession of salmon south of Leadbetter Point
who are returning to port north of Leadbetter Point must offload all
fish from the vessel prior to beginning a new fishing trip. All Chinook
salmon caught north of Cape Falcon and being delivered by boat to
Garibaldi, Oregon, must meet the minimum legal total length of 28
inches (71.1 centimeters (cm)) for Chinook salmon for south of Cape
Falcon seasons unless the season in waters off Garibaldi, Oregon, have
been closed for Chinook salmon retention for more than 48 hours.
Under state law, vessels must report their catch on a state fish
receiving ticket. Oregon State regulations require all fishers landing
salmon into Oregon from any fishery between Leadbetter Point,
Washington, and Cape Falcon, Oregon, to notify the Oregon Department of
Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) at least 1 hour prior to delivery by either
calling 541-857-2546 or sending notification via email to
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#337c611d47415c5f5f4156435c4147735c5755441d5c4156545c5d1d545c45">[email&#160;protected]</a>. Notification shall include vessel name
and number, number of salmon by species, port of landing, location of
delivery, and estimated time of delivery.
Vessels in possession of salmon north of the Queets River may not
cross the Queets River line without first notifying WDFW at 360-249-
1215 with area fished, total Chinook salmon, coho salmon, and halibut
catch abroad, and destination. Vessels in possession of salmon south of
the Queets River may not cross the Queets River line without first
notifying WDFW at 360-249-1215 with area fished, total Chinook salmon,
coho salmon, and halibut aboard, and destination.
Vessels fishing in a subarea north of Cape Falcon with a higher
limit may transit through and land in a subarea with a lower limit.
Prior to crossing the subarea line at Leadbetter Point or Queets River,
vessels must notify WDFW at 360-249-1215 with the area fished, total
Chinook salmon, coho salmon, and halibut catch aboard, and destination
with approximate time of delivery.
South of Cape Falcon, Oregon
Cape Falcon to Humbug Mountain
April 14, 2026-May 15, 2026;
September 1-October 31.
Open 7 days per week. All salmon except coho salmon, except during
the non-mark-selective coho salmon fishery as described below. All
vessels fishing in the area must land their salmon in the state of
Oregon.
Beginning September 1, all salmon until the earlier of September 30
or when a 7,000 non-mark-selective coho salmon quota is met. If the
coho salmon quota is met prior to September 30, then all salmon except
coho salmon season continues. No more than 100 coho salmon per vessel
per landing week when retention allowed and no more than 100 Chinook
salmon allowed per vessel per landing week (Thursday through
Wednesday).
Oregon state regulations require all fishers landing coho salmon
into Oregon from any fishery between Cape Falcon, Oregon, and Humbug
Mountain to notify ODFW within at least 1 hour of delivery by either
calling 541-857-2546 or sending notification via email to
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#7c332e52080e1310100e190c130e083c13181a0b52130e191b1312521b130a">[email&#160;protected]</a>. Notification shall include vessel name
and number, number of salmon by species, port of landing and location
of delivery, and estimated time of delivery.
In 2027, the season will open March 15 for all salmon except coho
salmon. All vessels fishing in the area between Cape Falcon and Humbug
Mountain must land their salmon in the state of Oregon. Gear
restrictions are the same as in 2026 (identified below).
Cape Falcon to Heceta Bank Line
May 16-June 30;
July 16-July 31.
Open 7 days per week. All salmon except coho salmon. All vessels
fishing in the area must land their salmon in Oregon.
In July, all vessels landing salmon south of the Heceta Bank Line
are required to notify ODFW prior to crossing the Heceta Bank Line by
either calling 541-857-2546 or sending notification via email to
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#307f621e44425f5c5c4255405f4244705f5456471e5f4255575f5e1e575f46">[email&#160;protected]</a>. Notification shall include vessel name
and number, number of salmon by species and halibut aboard, port of
landing and location of delivery, and estimated time of delivery.
In 2027, the season will open March 15 for all salmon except coho
salmon. All vessels fishing in the area must land their salmon in the
state of Oregon. Gear restrictions are the same as in 2026 (identified
below).
Heceta Bank Line to Humbug Mountain
May 16-June 30.
Open 7 days per week. All salmon except coho salmon. All vessels
fishing in the area must land their salmon in the state of Oregon.
In 2027, the season will open on March 15 for all salmon except
coho salmon. All vessels fishing in the area must land their salmon in
Oregon. Gear restrictions are the same as in 2026 (identified below).
Humbug Mountain to Oregon/California Border
April 14-30;
May 16-June 17.
Open 7 days per week. All salmon except coho salmon. All vessels
fishing in the area must land their salmon in Oregon.
In 2027, the season will open on March 15 for all salmon except
coho salmon. Gear restrictions are the same as in 2026 (identified
below).
Oregon/California Border to Humboldt South Jetty (California Klamath
Management Zone (KMZ))
Closed.
In 2027, the season will open May 1 under a 3,000 Chinook salmon
quota. Landing and possession limit of 20 Chinook salmon per vessel per
day. All salmon except coho salmon. All fish caught in this area must
be landed within the area, within 24 hours of any closure of the
fishery, and prior to fishing outside the area. Electronic fish tickets
must be submitted within 24 hours of landing. KMZ closed.
Humboldt South Jetty to Latitude 40[deg]10' N
Closed.

[[Page 29100]]

Latitude 40[deg]10' N to Point Arena (Fort Bragg)
Closed.
In 2027, the season opens on May 1 for all salmon except coho
salmon. Gear restrictions are the same as in 2022 (87 FR 29690, May 16,
2022). All salmon caught in this area must be landed within 24 hours of
any closure of the fishery. Electronic fish tickets must be submitted
within 24 hours of landing.
Point Arena to Pigeon Point (San Francisco)
May 1-6, 2026, and May 9-13, 2026;
May 16-20, May 23-29;
August 1-7, 13-16, 25-27.
Harvest limit of 83,000 Chinook salmon applicable to all open
periods and management areas south of Point Arena from May through
August. Landing limit of 160 Chinook salmon per vessel per open period
applies across the combined management areas south of Point Arena.
Possession limit of 160 Chinook salmon per vessel and open period.
All salmon except coho salmon. All fish caught in this area must be
landed south of 40[deg]10' N within 24 hours of any closure of the
fishery. Electronic fish tickets must be submitted within 24 hours of
landing.
38[deg]02' N to Pigeon Point Subarea
September 4-8, 11-15, 18-22, 25-30.
Harvest limit of 20,000 Chinook salmon, applicable to all September
open periods. Landing limit of 100 Chinook salmon per vessel per open
period. Possession limit of 100 Chinook salmon per vessel per open
period. All salmon caught in this area must be landed within 24 hours
of any closure of the fishery.
All salmon except coho salmon. All salmon caught in this area must
be landed between Point Arena and Pigeon Point. Electronic fish tickets
must be submitted within 24 hours of landing.
In 2027, the season opens May 1 for all salmon except coho salmon.
Gear restrictions are the same as in 2026 (identified below).
Electronic fish tickets must be submitted within 24 hours of landing.
Pigeon Point to the U.S./Mexico Border (Monterey)
May 1-6, 2026, and May 9-13, 2026;
May 16-20, 23-29;
June 3-8, 12-16, 26-30;
July 6-10, 20-24;
August 1-7, 13-16, 25-27.
Harvest limit of 83,000 Chinook salmon applicable to all open
periods and management areas south of Point Arena from May through
August. Landing limit of 160 Chinook salmon per vessel per open period
applies across the combined management areas south of Point Arena.
Possession limit of 160 Chinook salmon per vessel and open period.
All salmon except coho salmon. All salmon caught in this area must
be landed south of 40[deg]10' N lat. within 24 hours of any closure of
the fishery. Electronic fish tickets must be submitted within 24 hours
of landing.
In 2027, the season opens May 1 for all salmon except coho salmon.
Gear restrictions are the same as in 2026 (identified below).
Electronic fish tickets must be submitted within 24 hours of landing.
For all commercial troll fisheries south of Cape Falcon:
When the fishery is closed from Humbug Mountain to the Oregon/
California border and open south of the Oregon/California border,
vessels with fish on board caught in the open area off California may
seek temporary mooring in Brookings, Oregon, prior to landing in
California only if such vessels first notify ODFW prior to crossing the
Oregon/California border by either calling 541-857-2546 or sending
notification via email to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#c48b96eab0b6aba8a8b6a1b4abb6b084aba0a2b3eaabb6a1a3abaaeaa3abb2">[email&#160;protected]</a>. Notification
shall include vessel name and number, number of salmon by species, and
estimated time of arrival.
California statutes require all salmon be made available to a CDFW
representative for sampling immediately at the port of landing. Any
person in possession of a salmon with a missing adipose fin shall, upon
request by an authorized agent or employee of the CDFW, immediately
relinquish the head of the salmon to the CDFW representative
(California Fish and Game Code Sec. 8226).
A person shall, upon request by an authorized agent or employee of
the CDFW, immediately relinquish, at no charge, fish or parts of fish
caught or landed in California to the department for the purpose of
collecting a biological sample (California Fish and Game Code Sec.
7711(a)).

B. Minimum Size (Total Length in Inches)

Table 1--Minimum Size Limits for Salmon in the 2026-2027 Commercial Salmon Fisheries
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chinook salmon Coho salmon
---------------------------------------------------------------- Pink
Total length Head-off Total length Head-off
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Area (when open in 2026):
North of Cape Falcon, OR..... 27 20.5 16 12 None.
Cape Falcon to Humbug 28 21.5 16 12 None.
Mountain.
Humbug Mountain to OR/CA 28 21.5 .............. .............. None.
border.
OR/CA border to Humboldt 27 .............. .............. .............. .................
South Jetty.
Latitude 40[deg]10' N to 27 .............. .............. .............. .................
Point Arena.
Point Arena to Pigeon 27 .............. .............. .............. .................
Point through August.
Latitude 38[deg]02' N to 26 .............. .............. .............. .................
Pigeon Point, September.
Pigeon Point to U.S./ 27 .............. .............. .............. .................
Mexico border.
Area (when open in 2027):
North of Cape Falcon, OR. .............. .............. .............. .............. .................
Cape Falcon to Humbug 28 .............. .............. .............. .................
Mountain.
Humbug Mountain to OR/CA 28 .............. .............. .............. .................
border.
OR/CA border to Humboldt 27 .............. .............. .............. .................
South Jetty.
Lat. 40[deg]10'0'' N to 27 .............. .............. .............. .................
Point Arena.
Point Arena to Pigeon 27 .............. .............. .............. .................
Point.
Latitude 38[deg]02' N to 27 .............. .............. .............. .................
Pigeon Point, September.
Pigeon Point to U.S./ 27 .............. .............. .............. .................
Mexico border.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Metric equivalents: 28.0 in = 71.1 cm, 27.0 in = 68.5 cm, 21.5 in = 54.6 cm, 20.5 in = 52.1 cm, 16.0 in = 40.6
cm, and 12.0 in = 30.5 cm.

[[Page 29101]]

C. Requirements, Definitions, Restrictions, or Exceptions

C.1. Compliance with Minimum Size or Other Special Restrictions
All salmon on board a vessel must meet the minimum size, landing/
possession limit, and other special requirements for the area being
fished and the area in which they are landed if the area is open or has
been closed less than 48 hours for that species of salmon. Salmon may
be landed in an area that has been closed for a species of salmon more
than 48 hours only if they meet the minimum size, landing/possession
limit, and other special requirements for the area in which they were
caught. Salmon may not be filleted prior to landing.
Any person who is required to report a salmon landing by applicable
state law must include on the state landing receipt for that landing
both the number and weight of salmon landed by species. States may
require fish landing/receiving tickets be kept on board the vessel for
90 days or more after landing to account for all previous salmon
landings.
C.2. Gear Restrictions
a. Salmon may be taken only by hook and line using single point,
single shank, barbless hooks.
b. Cape Falcon, Oregon, to the Oregon/California border: Prior to
September 1, 2026, no more than four spreads are allowed per line.
September 1 through October 31, 2026, no restrictions on number of
spreads allowed per line.
c. Oregon/California border to U.S./Mexico border: No more than six
lines are allowed per vessel, and barbless circle hooks are required
when fishing with bait by any means other than trolling.
C.3. Gear Definitions
Trolling: Fishing from a boat or floating device that is making way
by means of a source of power other than drifting by means of the
prevailing water current or weather conditions.
Troll fishing gear: One or more lines that drag hooks behind a
moving fishing vessel engaged in trolling. In that portion of the
fishery management area off Oregon and Washington, the line or lines
must be affixed to the vessel and must not be intentionally disengaged
from the vessel at any time during the fishing operation.
Spread: A single leader connected to an individual lure and/or
bait.
Circle hook: A hook with a generally circular shape and a point
which turns inward, pointing directly to the shank at a 90' angle.
C.4. Vessel Operation in Closed Areas with Salmon on Board
a. Except as provided under C.4.b below, it is unlawful for a
vessel to have fishing gear in the water while in any area closed to
fishing for a certain species of salmon while possessing that species
of salmon; however, fishing for species other than salmon is not
prohibited if the area is open for such species and no prohibited
salmon are in possession.
b. When Genetic Stock Identification (GSI) samples will be
collected in an area closed to commercial salmon fishing, the
scientific research permit holder shall notify NOAA Office of Law
Enforcement, USCG, CDFW, WDFW, ODFW, and Oregon State Police at least
24 hours prior to sampling and provide the following information: the
vessel name, date, location, and time collection activities will be
done. Any vessel collecting GSI samples in a closed area shall not
possess any salmon other than those from which GSI samples are being
collected. Salmon caught for collection of GSI samples must be
immediately released in good condition after collection of samples.
C.5. Control Zone Definitions
a. Cape Flattery Control Zone--The area from Cape Flattery
(48[deg]23'00'' N lat.) to the northern boundary of the U.S. EEZ; and
the area from Cape Flattery south to Cape Alava (48[deg]10'00'' N lat.)
and east of 125[deg]05'00'' W long.
b. Salmon Troll Yelloweye Rockfish Conservation Area--The area in
Washington Marine Catch Area 3 from 48[deg]00.00' N lat.;
125[deg]14.00' W long. to 48[deg]02.00' N lat.; 125[deg]14.00' W long.
to 48[deg]02.00' N lat.; 125[deg]16.50' W long. to 48[deg]00.00' N
lat.; 125[deg]16.50' W long. and connecting back to 48[deg]00.00' N
lat.; 125[deg]14.00' W long.
c. Grays Harbor Control Zone--The area defined by a line drawn from
the Westport Lighthouse (46[deg]53'18'' N lat., 124[deg]07'01'' W
long.) to Buoy #2 (46[deg]52'42'' N lat., 124[deg]12'42'' W long.) to
Buoy #3 (46[deg]55'00' N lat., 124[deg]14'48'' W long.) to the Grays
Harbor north jetty (46[deg]55'36'' N lat., 124[deg]10'51'' W long.).
d. Columbia Control Zone--An area at the Columbia River mouth,
bounded on the west by a line running northeast/southwest between the
red lighted Buoy #4 (46[deg]13'35'' N lat., 124[deg]06'50'' W long.)
and the green lighted Buoy #7 (46[deg]15'09'' N lat., 124[deg]06'16'' W
long.); on the east, by the Buoy #10 line which bears north/south at
357[deg] true from the south jetty at 46[deg]14'00' N lat.,
124[deg]03'07'' W long. to its intersection with the north jetty; on
the north, by a line running northeast/southwest between the green
lighted Buoy #7 to the tip of the north jetty (46[deg]15'48'' N lat.,
124[deg]05'20'' W long.), and then along the north jetty to the point
of intersection with the Buoy #10 line; and, on the south, by a line
running northeast/southwest between the red lighted Buoy #4 and tip of
the south jetty (46[deg]14'03'' N lat., 124[deg]04'05'' W long.), and
then along the south jetty to the point of intersection with the Buoy
#10 line.
e. Klamath Control Zone--The ocean area at the Klamath River mouth
bounded on the north by 41[deg]38'48'' N lat. (approximately 6 nmi (11
km) north of the Klamath River mouth); on the west by 124[deg]23'00'' W
long. (approximately 12 nmi (22 km) off shore); and on the south by
41[deg]26'48'' N lat. (approximately 6 nmi (11 km) south of the Klamath
River mouth).
f. Waypoints for the 40-fathom (73-meter) regulatory line from Cape
Falcon to Humbug Mountain (50 CFR 660.71 (o)(12)-(62)), when in place.
C.6. Notification When Unsafe Conditions Prevent Compliance with
Regulations
If prevented by unsafe weather conditions or mechanical problems
from meeting special management area landing restrictions, vessels must
notify the USCG and receive acknowledgment of such notification prior
to leaving the area. This notification shall include the name of the
vessel, the port where delivery will be made, the approximate number of
salmon (by species) on board, the estimated time of arrival, and the
specific reason the vessel is not able to meet special management area
landing restrictions.
In addition to contacting the USCG, vessels fishing south of the
Oregon/California border must notify CDFW within 1 hour of leaving the
management area by emailing <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#fcb0b9b8b19d8e959299b29388959a959f9d889593928fbc8b95909890959a99d29f9dd29b938a">[email&#160;protected]</a> and
providing the same information as reported to the USCG. All salmon must
be offloaded within 24 hours of reaching port.
C.7. Incidental Pacific Halibut Harvest
Permit applications for incidental harvest for Pacific halibut
during commercial salmon fishing must be submitted to and approved by
NMFS.
a. Pacific halibut retained must be no less than 32 inches (81.3
cm) in total length, measured from the tip of the lower jaw with the
mouth closed to the extreme end of the middle of the tail, and must be
landed with the head on.

[[Page 29102]]

b. During the salmon troll season, incidental harvest is allowed if
quota is available. WDFW, ODFW, and CDFW will monitor landings. NMFS
may make inseason adjustments to the landing restrictions to assure
that the incidental harvest rate is appropriate for salmon and halibut
availability, does not encourage target fishing on halibut, and does
not increase the likelihood of exceeding the quota for this fishery,
and NMFS may prohibit retention of halibut in the non-Indian salmon
troll fishery if there is risk in exceeding the subquota for the salmon
troll fishery or the non-Tribal commercial fishery allocation. Inseason
adjustments will be announced on the NMFS hotline (phone: 800-662-9825
or 206-526-6667). See the most current Pacific Halibut Catch Share Plan
for more details (91 FR 14464, March 25, 2026).
c. Incidental Pacific halibut catch regulations in the commercial
salmon troll fishery adopted for 2026 prior to any 2026 inseason action
will be in effect when incidental Pacific halibut retention opens on
April 1, 2027.
d. Beginning May 16, 2026, through the end of the 2026 salmon troll
fishery and beginning April 1, 2027, until modified through inseason
action or superseded by the 2027 management measures, permit holders
may land or possess no more than 1 Pacific halibut per 2 Chinook
salmon, except 1 Pacific halibut may be possessed or landed without
meeting the ratio requirement, and no more than 35 halibut may be
possessed or landed per trip.
e. The C-shaped yelloweye rockfish conservation area is an area to
be voluntarily avoided for salmon trolling. NMFS and the Council
request salmon trollers voluntarily avoid this area in order to protect
yelloweye rockfish. The area is defined in the Pacific Council Halibut
Catch Sharing Plan in the North Coast subarea (Washington Marine Area
3), with the following coordinates in the order listed:

48[deg]18' N lat.; 125[deg]18' W long.;
48[deg]18' N lat.; 124[deg]59' W long.;
48[deg]11' N lat.; 124[deg]59' W long.;
48[deg]11' N lat.; 125[deg]11' W long.;
48[deg]04' N lat.; 125[deg]11' W long.;
48[deg]04' N lat.; 124[deg]59' W long.;
48[deg]00' N lat.; 124[deg]59' W long.;
48[deg]00' N lat.; 125[deg]18' W long.;
and connecting back to 48[deg]18' N lat.; 125[deg]18' W long.
C.8. Inseason Management
In addition to standard inseason actions or modifications:
a. Chinook salmon remaining from the May through June non-Indian
commercial troll harvest guideline north of Cape Falcon may be
transferred to the July through September harvest guideline if the
transfer would not result in exceeding preseason impact expectations on
any stocks.
b. Chinook salmon remaining from May, June, and/or July non-Indian
commercial troll quotas in the Oregon or California KMZ may be
transferred to the Chinook salmon quota for the next open period if the
transfer would not result in exceeding preseason impact expectations on
any stocks.
c. NMFS may transfer salmon between the recreational and commercial
fisheries north of Cape Falcon if there is agreement among the areas'
representatives on the Council's Salmon Advisory Subpanel (SAS) and if
the transfer would not result in exceeding preseason impact
expectations on any stocks.
d. The Council will consider inseason recommendations for special
regulations for any experimental fisheries annually in March; proposals
must meet Council protocol and be received in November of the year
prior.
e. If retention of unmarked coho salmon (adipose fin intact) is
permitted by inseason action, the allowable coho salmon quota will be
adjusted to ensure preseason projected impacts on all stocks is not
exceeded.
f. Landing limits may be modified inseason to sustain season length
and keep harvest within overall quotas.
g. Deviations from the allocation of allowable ocean harvest of
coho salmon in the area south of Cape Falcon may be allowed to meet
consultation standards for ESA-listed stocks (FMP 5.3.2). Therefore, if
fisheries are constrained to meet ESA-conservation objectives, any
rollovers resulting in a deviation from the south of Cape Falcon coho
salmon allocation schedule would fall underneath this exemption.
h. Inseason action to modify California harvest limits, weekly
landing limits, or open days will be considered when total harvest
reaches 50 percent of the harvest limit, consistent with the Framework
to Achieve Conservation Objectives for California Stocks of Chinook
Salmon (CFR 660.410(d)(2)(ii)).
C.9. State Waters Fisheries
Consistent with Council management objectives:
a. The state of Oregon may establish additional late-season
fisheries in state waters.
b. The state of California may establish limited fisheries in
selected state waters.
c. Check state regulations for details.
C.10. For the purposes of California Fish and Game Code, Section
8232.5, the definition of the KMZ for the ocean salmon season shall be
that area from Humbug Mountain, Oregon, to Latitude 40[deg]10' N.
C.11. Latitudes for geographical reference of major landmarks along
the West Coast are listed in section 5 of this final rule.
C.12. California 24-hour reporting requirements: Salmon harvested
under quota or harvest limit regulations must be reported within 24
hours of landing via electronic fish tickets. Electronic fish tickets
shall be completed at the time of the receipt, purchase, or transfer of
fish, whichever occurs first, and shall contain the number of salmon
landed. Once the transfer of fish begins, all fish aboard the vessel
are counted as part of the landing. The electronic fish ticket is a
web-based form submitted through the ``E-Tix'' application, managed by
the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission and located at <a href="https://etix.psmfc.org">https://etix.psmfc.org</a>.

Section 2. Recreational Fishery Management Measures

Parts A, B, and C of this section contain requirements for
participation in the 2026 recreational ocean salmon fishery. Part A
identifies fishing areas from north to south, the open seasons for the
area, and the salmon species allowed to be caught during the seasons.
Part B specifies minimum size limits. Part C specifies special
requirements, definitions, restrictions, and exceptions. All measures
are subject to inseason management. California statutes require all
salmon be made available to a CDFW representative for sampling
immediately at port of landing. Any person in possession of a salmon
with a missing adipose fin, upon request by an authorized agent or
employee of the CDFW, shall immediately relinquish the head of the
salmon to the department (California Code of Regulations Title 14
Section 1.73). A person shall, upon request by an authorized agent or
employee of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, immediately
relinquish, at no charge, fish or parts of fish caught or landed in
California to the department for the purpose of collecting a biological
sample. (California Fish and Game Code Sec. 7711(a)).

A. Season Description

North of Cape Falcon, Oregon
U.S./Canada border to Cape Alava (Neah Bay Subarea)
June 20 through the earlier of September 30 or attainment of 10,700
marked coho salmon subarea quota,

[[Page 29103]]

with a subarea guideline of 13,110 Chinook salmon.\1\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\1\ A subarea guideline is not a hard cap requiring closure when
it is reached, but inseason action will be considered if the fishery
is approaching the guideline.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Open 7 days per week. All salmon except coho salmon June 20 through
June 30, 1 salmon per day per person. Beginning July 1, all salmon, 2
salmon per day per person. No chum salmon retention beginning August 1.
All coho salmon must be marked with a healed adipose fin clip.
Beginning August 1, Chinook salmon non-retention east of the
Bonilla-Tatoosh line during the federally-managed ocean fishery.
Cape Alava to Queets River (La Push Subarea)
June 20 through the earlier of September 30 or attainment of 2,680
marked coho subarea quota, with a subarea guideline of 2,200 Chinook
salmon.
Open 7 days per week. All salmon except coho salmon June 20 through
June 30, 1 salmon per day per person. Beginning July 1, all salmon, 2
salmon per day per person. No chum salmon retention beginning August 1.
All coho salmon must be marked with a healed adipose fin clip.
Queets River to Leadbetter Point (Westport Subarea)
June 20 through the earlier of September 30 or attainment of 38,070
marked coho salmon subarea quota, with a subarea guideline of 21,910
Chinook salmon.
Open 7 days per week. All salmon except coho salmon, June 20
through June 28, 1 salmon per day per person. Beginning June 29, all
salmon, 2 salmon per day per person, no more than 1 of which may be a
Chinook salmon. All coho salmon must be marked with a healed adipose
fin clip.
Leadbetter Point to Cape Falcon (Columbia River Subarea)
June 20 through the earlier of September 30 or attainment of 51,450
marked coho salmon subarea quota, with a subarea guideline of 16,780
Chinook salmon.
Open 7 days per week, all salmon, 2 salmon per day per person, no
more than 1 of which may be a Chinook salmon. All coho salmon must be
marked with a healed adipose fin clip.
Columbia Control Zone closed.
South of Cape Falcon
Cape Falcon to Oregon/California border
March 15, 2026-May 15, 2026;
May 16-August 31.
Open 7 days per week. All salmon except coho salmon except as
provided below during the mark-selective coho salmon fishery, 2 salmon
per day per person.
Mark-selective coho salmon fishery:
June 6 through the earlier of August 23 or attainment of a 47,600
marked coho salmon quota.
Open 7 days per week, 2 salmon per day per person. All retained
coho salmon must be marked with a healed adipose fin clip.
Any remainder of the mark-selective coho salmon quota may be
transferred inseason on an impact neutral basis to the September non-
mark-selective coho salmon fishery from Cape Falcon to Humbug Mountain.
In 2027, the season will open March 15 for all salmon except coho
salmon, 2 salmon per day per person.
Cape Falcon to Humbug Mountain
September 1-October 31.
Open 7 days per week. All salmon except coho salmon, except as
provided below during the non-mark-selective coho salmon fishery, 2
salmon per day per person.
Non-mark-selective coho salmon fishery:
September 1 through the earlier of September 30 or attainment of a
27,500 non-mark-selective coho salmon quota.
Open 7 days per week. All salmon, 2 salmon per day per person.
For recreational fisheries from Cape Falcon to Humbug Mountain:
Fishing in the Stonewall Bank yelloweye rockfish conservation area
restricted to trolling only on days the all depth recreational halibut
fishery is open (call the halibut hotline 1-800-662-9825 for specific
dates)
Oregon/California Border to Latitude 40[deg]10' N (California KMZ)
June 13-July 19;
August 1-31.
Inseason action may be taken to close open days when total harvest
is approaching an area-specific harvest guideline of 3,900 Chinook
salmon.
All salmon except coho salmon, 2 salmon per day per person.
Klamath Control Zone closed in August. See California statutes for
additional closures adjacent to the Smith, Eel, and Klamath Rivers.
In 2027, the season opens May 1 for all salmon except coho salmon,
2 salmon per day per person. Same gear restrictions as 2026 (identified
below).
Latitude 40[deg]10' N to Point Arena (Fort Bragg)
June 13-July 19;
August 1-31.
Inseason action may be taken to close open days when total harvest
is approaching an area-specific harvest guideline of 5,100 Chinook
salmon.
All salmon except coho salmon, 2 salmon per day per person.
In 2027, the season opens on April 3 for all salmon except coho
salmon, 2 salmon per day per person. Same gear restrictions as in 2026
(identified below).
Point Arena to Pigeon Point (San Francisco)
June 27-July 22;
August 1-31.
Inseason action may be taken to close open days when total harvest
is approaching an area-specific harvest guideline of 34,900 Chinook
salmon.
38[deg]02' N to Pigeon Point Subarea
September 1-October 31.
Inseason action may be taken to close open days when total harvest
is approaching an area-specific harvest guideline of 20,000 Chinook
salmon applicable to the September and October open dates.
All salmon except coho salmon, 2 salmon per day per person.
In 2027, the season opens on April 3 for all salmon except coho
salmon, 2 salmon per day per person. The same gear restrictions as in
2026 (identified below).
Pigeon Point to U.S./Mexico Border (Monterey)
April 11, 2026-May 15, 2026;
May 16-August 31.
Inseason action may be taken to close open days when total harvest
is approaching an area-specific harvest guideline of 21,800 Chinook
salmon.
All salmon except coho salmon, 2 salmon per day per person.
September 1-30.
Inseason action may be taken to close open days when total harvest
is approaching a statewide harvest guideline of 20,000 Chinook salmon
applicable to the September and October open dates.
In 2027, the season opens on April 3 for all salmon except coho
salmon, 2 salmon per day per person. The same gear restrictions as in
2026 (identified below).

B. Minimum Size (Total Length in Inches)

[[Page 29104]]

Table 2--Minimum Size Limits for Salmon in the 2026-2027 Recreational Salmon Fisheries
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chinook salmon Coho salmon Pink salmon
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Area (when open in 2026):
North of Cape Falcon (Westport and Columbia River.. 22.0 16.0 .................
North of Cape Falcon (Neah Bay and La Push)........ 24.0 16.0 .................
Cape Falcon to Humbug Mountain..................... 24.0 16.0 .................
Humbug Mountain to Oregon/California border........ 24.0 16.0 .................
Oregon/California border to Latitude 40[deg]10' N.. 20.0 ................. 20.0
Latitude 40[deg]10' N to Point Arena............... 20.0 ................. 20.0
Point Arena to Pigeon Point........................ 20.0 ................. 20.0
Pigeon Point to U.S./Mexico border................. 20.0 ................. 20.0
Area (when open in 2027):
North of Cape Falcon (Westport and Columbia River). ................. ................. .................
North of Cape Falcon (Neah Bay and La Push)........ ................. ................. .................
Cape Falcon to Oregon/California border............ 24.0 ................. .................
Oregon/California border to Latitude 40[deg]10' N.. 20.0 ................. .................
Latitude 40[deg]10' N to Point Arena............... 20.0 ................. .................
Point Arena to Pigeon Point........................ 24.0 ................. .................
Pigeon Point to U.S./Mexico border................. 24.0 ................. .................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Metric equivalents: 24.0 in = 61.0 cm, 22.0 in = 55.9 cm, 16.0 in = 40.6 cm.

C. Requirements, Definitions, Restrictions, or Exceptions

C.1. Compliance With Minimum Size and Other Special Restrictions
All salmon on board a vessel must meet the minimum size and other
special requirements for the area being fished and the area in which
they are landed if that area is open. Salmon may be landed in an area
that is closed only if they meet the minimum size and other special
requirements for the area in which they were caught. Salmon may not be
filleted or salmon heads removed prior to landing.
Ocean boat limits: Off the coast of Washington, Oregon, and
California, each fisher aboard a vessel may continue to use angling
gear until the combined daily limits of Chinook salmon and coho salmon
for all licensed and juvenile anglers aboard have been attained
(additional state restrictions may apply).
C.2. Gear Restrictions
Salmon may be taken only by hook and line using barbless hooks. All
persons fishing for salmon and all persons fishing from a boat with
salmon on board must meet the gear restrictions listed below for
specific areas or seasons.
a. U.S./Canada border to Point Conception, California: No more than
one rod may be used per angler and no more than two single point,
single shank, barbless hooks are required for all fishing gear.
b. Latitude 40[deg]10' N to Point Conception, California: Single
point, single shank, barbless circle hooks (see gear definitions below)
are required when fishing with bait by any means other than trolling,
and no more than two such hooks shall be used. When angling with two
hooks, the distance between the hooks must not exceed 5 inches (12.7
cm) when measured from the top of the eye of the top hook to the inner
base of the curve of the lower hook, and both hooks must be permanently
tied in place (hard tied). Circle hooks are not required when
artificial lures are used without bait.
C.3. Gear Definitions
a. Recreational fishing gear: Off Oregon and Washington, angling
tackle consists of a single line that must be attached to a rod and
reel held by hand or closely attended; the rod and reel must be held by
hand while playing a hooked fish. No person may use more than one rod
and line while fishing off Oregon or Washington. Off California, the
line must be attached to a rod and reel held by hand or closely
attended; weights directly attached to a line may not exceed 4 pounds
(1.8 kilograms (kg)). While fishing off California north of Point
Conception, no person fishing for salmon, and no person fishing from a
boat with salmon on board, may use more than one rod and line. Fishing
includes any activity which can reasonably be expected to result in the
catching, taking, or harvesting of fish.
b. Trolling: Angling from a boat or floating device that is making
way by means of a source of power, other than drifting by means of the
prevailing water current or weather conditions.
c. Circle hook: A hook with a generally circular shape and a point
which turns inward, pointing directly to the shank at a 90[deg] angle.
C.4. Control Zone Definitions
a. The Bonilla-Tatoosh Line: A line running from the western end of
Cape Flattery to Tatoosh Island Lighthouse (48[deg]23'30'' N lat.,
124[deg]44'12'' W long.) to the buoy adjacent to Duntze Rock
(48[deg]24'37'' N lat., 124[deg]44'37'' W long.), then in a straight
line to Bonilla Point (48[deg]35'39'' N lat., 124[deg]42'58'' W long.)
on Vancouver Island, British Columbia.
b. Columbia Control Zone: An area at the Columbia River mouth,
bounded on the west by a line running northeast/southwest between the
red lighted Buoy #4 (46[deg]13'35'' N lat., 124[deg]06'50'' W long.)
and the green lighted Buoy #7 (46[deg]15'09'' N lat., 124[deg]06'16'' W
long.); on the east, by the Buoy #10 line which bears north/south at
357[deg] true from the south jetty at 46[deg]14'00'' N lat.,
124[deg]03'07'' W long. to its intersection with the north jetty; on
the north, by a line running northeast/southwest between the green
lighted Buoy #7 to the tip of the north jetty (46[deg]15'48'' N lat.,
124[deg]05'20'' W long.) and then along the north jetty to the point of
intersection with the Buoy #10 line; and on the south, by a line
running northeast/southwest between the red lighted Buoy #4 and tip of
the south jetty (46[deg]14'03'' N lat., 124[deg]04'05'' W long.), and
then along the south jetty to the point of intersection with the Buoy
#10 line.
c. Stonewall Bank YRCA: The area defined by the following
coordinates in the order listed:

44[deg]37.46' N lat.; 124[deg]24.92'' W long.
44[deg]37.46' N lat.; 124[deg]23.63'' W long.
44[deg]28.71' N lat.; 124[deg]21.80'' W long.
44[deg]28.71' N lat.; 124[deg]24.10'' W long.
44[deg]31.42' N lat.; 124[deg]25.47'' W long.
and connecting back to 44[deg]37.46' N lat.; 124[deg]24.92'' W
long.

d. Klamath Control Zone: The ocean area at the Klamath River mouth
bounded on the north by 41[deg]38'48'' N lat. (approximately 6 nmi (11
km) north

[[Page 29105]]

of the Klamath River mouth); on the west by 124[deg]23'00'' W long.
(approximately 12 nmi (22 km) offshore); and, on the south by
41[deg]26'48'' N lat. (approximately 6 nmi (11 km) south of the Klamath
River mouth).
e. Waypoints for the 40-fathom (73-meters) regulatory line from
Cape Falcon to Humbug Mountain (50 CFR 660.71 (o)(12)-(62)), when in
place.
C.5. Inseason Management
Regulatory modifications may become necessary inseason to meet
preseason management objectives such as quotas, harvest guidelines, and
season duration. In addition to standard inseason actions or
modifications:
a. Actions could include modifications to bag limits or days open
to fishing and extensions or reductions in areas open to fishing.
b. Coho salmon may be transferred inseason among recreational
subareas north of Cape Falcon to help meet the recreational season
duration objectives for each subarea after conferring with
representatives of the affected ports and the Council's SAS
recreational representatives north of Cape Falcon and if the transfer
would not result in exceeding preseason impact expectations on any
stocks.
c. NMFS may transfer salmon between the recreational and commercial
fisheries north of Cape Falcon if there is agreement among the areas'
representatives of the SAS and if the transfer would not result in
exceeding preseason impact expectations on any stocks.
d. Fishery managers may consider inseason action modifying
regulations restricting retention of unmarked (adipose fin intact) coho
salmon. To remain consistent with preseason expectations, any inseason
action shall consider, if significant, the difference between observed
and preseason forecasted (adipose-clipped) mark rates. Such a
consideration may also include a change in bag limit of two salmon, no
more than one of which may be a coho salmon.
e. Marked coho salmon quota remaining from the Cape Falcon to the
Oregon/California Border: Recreational mark-selective coho salmon quota
may be transferred inseason to the Cape Falcon to Humbug Mountain non-
mark-selective recreational fishery if the transfer would not result in
exceeding preseason impact expectations on any stocks.
f. Deviations from the allocation of allowable ocean harvest of
coho salmon in the area south of Cape Falcon may be allowed to meet
consultation standards for ESA-listed stocks (FMP 5.3.2). Therefore,
any rollovers resulting in a deviation from the south of Cape Falcon
coho salmon allocation schedule would fall underneath this exemption.
C.6. Vessel Operation in Closed Areas With Salmon on Board
a. Except as provided under C.6.b and C.6.c below, it is unlawful
for a vessel to fish while in any area closed to fishing for a certain
species of salmon while possessing that species of salmon; however,
fishing for species other than salmon is allowed if the area is open
for such species and no prohibited salmon are in possession.
b. It is unlawful to possess a salmon species within the Oregon KMZ
when the fishing for that salmon species is prohibited within the
Oregon KMZ, regardless of where the salmon is harvested/caught.
c. It is unlawful to possess a salmon species within the California
KMZ when the fishing for that salmon species is prohibited within the
California KMZ, regardless of where the salmon is harvested/caught.

Section 3. Treaty Indian Management Measures

Parts A, B, and C of this section contain the requirements for
participation in the 2026 Treaty Indian salmon fishery. All measures
are subject to inseason management.
In 2027, the season will open May 1, consistent with all preseason
regulations in place for Treaty Indian troll fisheries during May 16-
June 30, 2026. Fish caught after May 1, 2027, will count against the
2027 Treaty Indian troll fisheries quota.

A. Season Descriptions

May 1 through the earlier of June 30 or attainment of the 22,500
Chinook salmon quota.
All salmon must be retained except coho salmon. If the Chinook
salmon quota is exceeded, the excess will be deducted from the later
all-salmon season.
July 1 through the earlier of a date in September, to be
established in tribal regulations, or attainment of the 22,500 Chinook
salmon quota or 42,500 coho salmon quota.
All salmon.

B. Minimum Size (Inches)

Table 3--Minimum Size Limits for Salmon in the 2026 Treaty Indian Ocean Salmon Fisheries
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chinook salmon Coho salmon
Area (when open) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total length Head-off Total length Head-off Pink
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
North of Cape Falcon......... 24.0 18.0 16.0 12.0 None.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

C. Requirements, Definitions, Restrictions, or Exceptions

C.1. Tribe and Area Boundaries
All boundaries may be changed to include such other areas as may
hereafter be authorized by a Federal court for that tribe's treaty
fishery.
S'Klallam--Washington State Statistical Area 4B defined to include
those waters of Puget Sound easterly of a line projected from the
Bonilla Point light on Vancouver Island to the Tatoosh Island light,
thence to the most westerly point on Cape Flattery and westerly of a
line projected true north from the fishing boundary marker at the mouth
of the Sekiu River (Washington Administrative Code 220-301-030).
Makah--Washington State Statistical Area 4B and that portion of the
Fishery Management Area (FMA) north of 48[deg]02'15'' N lat. (Norwegian
Memorial) and east of 125[deg]44'00'' W long.
Quileute--A polygon commencing at Cape Alava, located at lat.
48[deg]10'00'' N, long. 124[deg]43'56.9'' W; then proceeding west
approximately 40 nmi (74 km) at that latitude to a northwestern point
located at lat. 48[deg]10'00'' N, long. 125[deg]44'00'' W; then
proceeding in a southeasterly direction mirroring the coastline at a
distance no farther than 40 nmi (74 km) from the mainland Pacific coast
shoreline at any line of latitude, to a southwestern point at lat.
47[deg]31'42'' N, long. 125[deg]20'26'' W; then proceeding east along
that line of latitude to the Pacific coast shoreline at lat.
47[deg]31'42'' N, long. 124[deg]21'9.0'' W.
Hoh--A polygon commencing at the Pacific coast shoreline near the
mouth of the Quillayute River, located at lat. 47[deg]54'30'' N, long.
124[deg]38'31'' W; then proceeding west approximately 40 nmi (74.08 km)
at that lat. to a northwestern point located at lat. 47[deg]54'30'' N,
long. 125[deg]38'18'' W; then proceeding in a

[[Page 29106]]

southeasterly direction mirroring the coastline at a distance no
farther than 40 nmi (74.08 km) from the mainland Pacific coast
shoreline, to a point located at lat. 47[deg]31'42'' N, long.
125[deg]20'26'' W, then proceeding east along that line of lat.
approximately 10 nmi (18.52 km) to a point located at latitude
47[deg]31'42'' N, long. 125[deg]5'48'' W, then proceeding in a
southeasterly direction mirroring the coastline at a distance no
farther than 30 nmi (55.56 km) from the mainland Pacific coast
shoreline to a point located at lat. 47[deg]21'00'' N, long.
125[deg]2'52'' W; then proceeding east along that line of lat. to the
Pacific coast shoreline near the mouth of the Quinault River, located
at lat. 47[deg]21'00'' N, long. 124[deg]18'8'' W.
Quinault--A polygon commencing at the Pacific coast shoreline near
Destruction Island, located at lat. 47[deg]40'06'' N, long.
124[deg]23'51.362'' W; then proceeding west approximately 30 nmi (55.6
km) at that latitude to a northwestern point located at lat.
47[deg]40'06'' N, long. 125[deg]08'30'' W; then proceeding in a
southeasterly direction mirroring the coastline no farther than 30 nmi
(55.6 km) from the mainland Pacific coast shoreline at any line of
latitude to a southwestern point at lat. 46[deg]53'18'' N, long.
124[deg]53'53'' W; then proceeding east along that line of latitude to
the Pacific coast shoreline at lat. 46[deg]53'18'' N, long.
124[deg]7'36.6'' W.
C.2. Gear Restrictions
a. Single point, single shank, barbless hooks are required in all
fisheries.
b. No more than eight fixed lines per boat.
c. No more than four hand-held lines per person in the Makah area
fishery (Washington State Statistical Area 4B and that portion of the
FMA north of 48[deg]02'15'' N lat. (Norwegian Memorial) and east of
125[deg]44'00'' W long.)
C.3. Quotas
a. The quotas include troll catches by the S'Klallam and Makah
Tribes in Washington State Statistical Area 4B from May 1 through a
date in September, to be established in tribal regulations.
C.4. Area Closures
a. The area within a 6 nmi radius of the mouths of the Queets River
(47[deg]31'42'' N. lat.) and the Hoh River (47[deg]45'12'' N. lat.) is
closed to commercial fishing.
b. A closure within 2 nmi of the mouth of the Quinault River
(47[deg]21'00'' N. lat.) may be enacted by the Quinault Nation and/or
the state of Washington and will not adversely affect the federal
management regime.
C.5. Inseason Management: In addition to standard inseason actions
or modifications already noted under the season description, Chinook
salmon remaining from the May through June treaty-Indian ocean troll
harvest guideline north of Cape Falcon may be transferred to the July
through September harvest guideline on a fishery impact equivalent
basis.

Section 4. Halibut Retention

Vessels participating in the commercial salmon non-Indian troll
fishery in Area 2A that have obtained the appropriate permit may retain
halibut caught incidentally during authorized periods in conformance
with the Pacific Halibut Fisheries Catch Sharing Plan 2026 annual
management measures (91 FR 14464, March 25, 2026). An ocean salmon
troller may participate in the halibut incidental catch fishery during
the salmon troll season or in the directed commercial fishery targeting
halibut but not both.
If the sub-quota for this fishery has not been harvested during the
April-June portion of the salmon troll fishery, then incidental halibut
harvest will be allowed in July and continue until the amount of
halibut that was initially available as the quota for the non-Indian
salmon troll fishery is taken or until the end of the season date for
commercial halibut is determined by NMFS and implemented in the Federal
Register (typically early October). If the landings are projected to
exceed the 46,096 pounds (20,909 kg) preseason allocation to the salmon
troll fishery or the total Area 2A non-Indian commercial halibut
allocation, NMFS will take inseason action to prohibit retention of
halibut in the non-Indian salmon troll fishery.
Incidental halibut harvest regulations, including season dates,
management measures, and TAC for each IPHC management area, are listed
under C.7 of Section 1: Commercial Management Measures for 2026 Ocean
Salmon Fisheries.

Section 5. Geographical Landmarks

Geographical landmarks referenced in this rule are at the following
locations:

U.S./Canada border 49[deg]00'00'' N lat.
Cape Flattery, WA 48[deg]23'00'' N lat.
Cape Alava, WA 48[deg]10'00'' N lat.
Queets River, WA 47[deg]31'42'' N lat.
Leadbetter Point, WA 46[deg]38'10'' N lat.
Cape Falcon, OR 45[deg]46'00'' N lat.
South end Heceta Bank Line, OR 43[deg]58'00'' N lat.
Humbug Mountain, OR 42[deg]40'30'' N lat.
Oregon-California border 42[deg]00'00'' N lat.
Humboldt South Jetty, CA 40[deg]45'53'' N lat.
40[deg]10' line (near Cape Mendocino, CA) 40[deg]10'00'' N lat.
Horse Mountain, CA 40[deg]05'00'' N lat.
Point Arena, CA 38[deg]57'30'' N lat.
Point Reyes, CA 37[deg]59'44'' N lat.
Point San Pedro, CA 37[deg]35'40'' N lat.
Pigeon Point, CA 37[deg]11'00'' N lat.
Point Sur, CA 36[deg]18'00'' N lat.
Point Conception, CA 34[deg]27'00'' N lat.
U.S./Mexico border 34[deg]27'00'' N lat.

Section 6. Inseason Notice Procedures

Notice of inseason management actions will be provided by a
telephone hotline administered by the WCR, NMFS, 800-662-9825 or 206-
526-6667, and by USCG Notice to Mariners broadcasts. These broadcasts
are announced on Channel 16 VHF-FM and 2182 KHz at frequent intervals.
The announcements designate the channel or frequency over which the
Notice to Mariners will be immediately broadcast. Inseason actions will
also be published in the Federal Register as soon as practicable. Since
provisions of these management measures may be altered by inseason
actions, fishers should monitor either the telephone hotline or USCG
broadcasts for current information for the area in which they are
fishing.

Classification

NMFS is issuing this rule pursuant to section 305(d) of the MSA. In
a previous action taken pursuant to section 304(b), the regulations at
50 CFR 660.408 authorize NMFS to take this action under MSA section
305(d). These regulations are being promulgated under the authority of
16 U.S.C. 1855(d) and 16 U.S.C. 773(c).
This final rule has been determined to be not significant for
purposes of Executive Order 12866.
This rule is not an Executive Order 14192 regulatory action because
this rule is not significant under Executive Order 12866.
The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries finds good cause under 5
U.S.C. 553(b)(B) to waive the requirement for prior notice and
opportunity for public comment, as such procedures would be
impracticable and contrary to the public interest. The annual salmon
management cycle begins May 16 and continues through May 15 of the
following year. The time frame of the preseason process for determining
the annual modifications to ocean salmon fishery management measures
depends on when the pertinent biological data are available. For the
2026 fishing regulations, the current stock abundance information was
not available until February. Salmon stocks are managed to meet

[[Page 29107]]

annual spawning escapement goals or specific exploitation rates.
Achieving either of these objectives requires designing management
measures that are appropriate for the ocean abundance predicted for
that year. These pre-season abundance forecasts, which are derived from
previous years' observed spawning escapement, vary substantially from
year to year and are not available until February because spawning
escapement continues through the fall and early winter.
The planning and public review process associated with developing
the regulations is initiated in February as soon as the forecast
information becomes available. The process requires coordination of
management actions of four states, numerous Indian Tribes, and the
Federal government, as well as consideration of information from the
Pacific Salmon Commission and Canadian managers whose fisheries harvest
salmon stocks caught in PFMC fisheries. That information is not
available until April 1 of each year. All of these entities have
management authority over the stocks. This complex process includes the
affected user groups as well as the general public. Providing the
opportunity for prior notice and public comments on the measures
through a proposed and final rulemaking process would require 30 to 60
days in addition to the 2-month period required for the development of
the regulations. Delaying the implementation of annual fishing
regulations, which are based on the current stock abundance
projections, for an additional 30-60 days would require that fishing
regulations for late May and June be set in the previous year, without
the benefit of information regarding current stock abundance. Because a
substantial amount of fishing normally occurs during late May and June,
managing the fishery with measures developed using the prior year's
data could have significant adverse effects on the managed stocks,
including ESA-listed stocks, or could result in unnecessary limits on
those fisheries if stocks are more abundant than in the prior year.
Although salmon fisheries that open prior to May 16 are managed under
measures developed the previous year (with some inseason
modifications), relatively little harvest occurs during that period
(e.g., on average, 7 percent of commercial and recreational harvest
occurred prior to May 16 during the years 2020 through 2024). Allowing
regulations governing the much more substantial harvest levels normally
associated with the late May and June salmon season to be promulgated
prior to the time the current year's stock abundance information is
available would impair NMFS's ability to protect weak and ESA-listed
salmon stocks and to provide harvest opportunities where appropriate.
The choice of May 16 as the beginning of the regulatory season balances
the need to gather and analyze the data needed to meet the management
objectives of the FMP and the need to manage the fishery using the best
available scientific information.
If the 2026 measures are not in place on May 16, salmon fisheries
will not open as scheduled. This would result in lost fishing
opportunities, negative economic impacts, and confusion for the public
as the state fisheries adopt concurrent regulations that conform to the
federal management measures.
In addition, these measures were developed with significant public
input. As described above, 374 oral and written public comments were
received and considered throughout the process of developing these
management measures, most in association with two Council meetings open
to the public and a number of public hearings. Based upon the above-
described public comment already received and the need to have these
measures effective on May 16, NMFS has concluded it would be
impracticable and contrary to the public interest to provide an
opportunity for prior notice and public comment under 5 U.S.C.
553(b)(B).
The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries also finds that good
cause exists under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3) to waive the 30-day delay in the
date of effectiveness of this final rule. As previously discussed,
essential data were not available until February, and management
measures were not finalized until mid-April. These measures are
essential to conserve threatened and endangered salmon stocks and other
ESA-listed species affected by Council fisheries, rebuild overfished
stocks, and to provide for the harvest of more abundant salmon stocks.
Delaying the date of effectiveness of these measures by 30 days could
compromise the ability of some stocks to attain their conservation
objectives, preclude harvest opportunity, and negatively impact
anticipated international, state, and tribal salmon fisheries, thereby
undermining the purposes of this agency action and the requirements of
the MSA.
To enhance the fishing industry's notification of these new
measures and to minimize the burden on the regulated community required
to comply with the new regulations, NMFS is announcing the new measures
over the telephone hotline (800-662-9825 or 206-526-6667) used for
inseason management actions and is posting the regulations on its WCR
website (<a href="https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/action/2026-ocean-salmon-specifications-and-management-measures">https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/action/2026-ocean-salmon-specifications-and-management-measures</a>).
NMFS is also advising the States of Washington, Oregon, and
California of the new management measures. These states announce the
seasons for applicable state and federal fisheries through their own
public notification systems.
Because prior notice and an opportunity for public comment are not
required to be provided for this rule by 5 U.S.C. 553, or any other
law, the analytical requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5
U.S.C. 601 et seq., are not applicable. Accordingly, no Regulatory
Flexibility Analysis is required for this rule, and none has been
prepared.
This action contains collection-of-information requirements subject
to the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) that have been approved by the
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under control number 0648-0433.
The current information collection approval expires on November 30,
2026. The public reporting burden for providing notifications if
landing area restrictions cannot be met is estimated to average 15
minutes per response. This estimate includes the time for reviewing
instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and
maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the
collection of information.
Notwithstanding any other provision of the law, no person is
required to respond to, nor shall any person be subject to a penalty
for failure to comply with, a collection of information subject to the
requirements of the PRA, unless that collection of information displays
a currently valid OMB control number.
This final rule was developed after meaningful consultation with
the Tribal representative on the Council, who has agreed with the
provisions that apply to tribal vessels, and representatives of several
Tribes participated in the Council meeting and provided testimony on
the management measures.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 773-773k; 1801 et seq.

Dated: May 14, 2026.
Samuel D. Rauch III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-09973 Filed 5-15-26; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

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