Rule2026-18029
Fisheries Off West Coast States; West Coast Salmon Fisheries; 2026 Specifications and Management Measures; Correction
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
September 3, 2026
Effective
September 2, 2026
Issuing agencies
Commerce DepartmentNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Abstract
NMFS established 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 final rule, published in the Federal Register on May 19, 2026, included an error in the management measures for recreational ocean salmon fisheries in the subarea from Pigeon Point to the U.S./Mexico border (Monterey). This action corrects an error by adding the text that was accidentally omitted from the May 19, 2026 rule and clarifies the applicability of bag limits and early 2027 management measures in the area from Point Arena to Pigeon Point (San Francisco).
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 170 (Thursday, September 3, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 170 (Thursday, September 3, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 56599-56600]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-18029]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 660
[Docket No. 260831-0002]
RIN 0648-BO06
Fisheries Off West Coast States; West Coast Salmon Fisheries;
2026 Specifications and Management Measures; Correction
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Final rule; correcting amendment.
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SUMMARY: NMFS established 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 final rule, published in the
Federal Register on May 19, 2026, included an error in the management
measures for recreational ocean salmon fisheries in the subarea from
Pigeon Point to the U.S./Mexico border (Monterey). This action corrects
an error by adding the text that was accidentally omitted from the May
19, 2026 rule and clarifies the applicability of bag limits and early
2027 management measures in the area from Point Arena to Pigeon Point
(San Francisco).
DATES: Effective September 2, 2026.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shannon Penna at 562-980-4239.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The final rule published May 19, 2026 (91 FR
29092) describes annual management measures for managing the harvest of
salmon in federal waters off the west coast of the United States. This
correcting amendment corrects an error in the May 19, 2026 rule by
adding the language ``all salmon except coho salmon, two salmon per
day'' to specify the bag limit for the recreational ocean salmon
fisheries in the area from Pigeon Point, California to the United
States/Mexico border (Monterey management area). In addition, it
clarifies the applicability of bag limits and early 2027 management
measures in the area from Point Arena to Pigeon Point (San Francisco).
Need for Correction
The 2026 salmon management measures (91 FR 29092, May 19, 2026),
section 2, part A, describe the recreational ocean salmon fisheries in
the area from Point Arena, California to the United States/Mexico
border. There is a transcription error in the area from Pigeon Point to
the United States/Mexico border that accidentally omitted text in that
management area for a recreational management measure for the 2026
season. The omitted text specifies the bag limits in that area. The
correcting amendment would insert the bag limits, i.e., ``all salmon
except coho salmon, two salmon per day''. Additionally, the correcting
amendment would insert the bag limits for the area between Point Arena
and Pigeon Point that follows the specific measures for the 38[deg]02'
N to Pigeon Point Subarea, in order to clarify that the limits apply to
the entire area, not just the subarea from 38[deg]02' N to Pigeon
Point. Finally, it would clarify that the early 2027 management
measures described in this section apply to the area, not just the
subarea. These changes would ensure the text is accurate and prevent
confusion.
Correction
In FR Doc. 2026-09973 appearing on page 29103, in the Federal
Register of Tuesday, May 19, 2026, the following corrections are made:
On page 29103, in the third column, the description of the
recreational ocean salmon fishery in the area from Point Arena,
California to the United State/Mexico border is corrected to read as
follows:
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, two salmon per day, in the Point
Arena to Pigeon Point (San Francisco) area.
In 2027, for the area between Point Arena and Pigeon Point (San
Francisco), the season opens on April 3 for all salmon except coho
salmon, two salmon per day. 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, two 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.
All salmon except coho salmon, two salmon per day.
In 2027, the season opens on April 3 for all salmon except coho
salmon, two salmon per day. The same gear restrictions as in 2026
(identified below).
Classification
NMFS is issuing this rule pursuant to 305(d) of the MSA. The reason
for using this regulatory authority is: In a previous action under
section 304(b), the regulations at 50 CFR 660.408 authorize NMFS to
take this action under section 305(d). The NMFS Assistant Administrator
(AA) has determined that this final rule is consistent with the Pacific
Coast Salmon Fishery Management Plan (FMP) and regulations implementing
the FMP, and other applicable law.
The NMFS AA finds good cause under 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B) to waive the
requirement for prior notice and opportunity for additional public
comment for this action as notice and comment would be unnecessary and
contrary to the public interest. Notice and comment are unnecessary and
contrary to the public interest because this action simply corrects an
error in the final rule and avoids public
[[Page 56600]]
confusion. This correction does not affect the results of analyses
conducted to support management decisions in the salmon fishery nor
change the total catch of salmon. In addition, it is important that the
errors be corrected as quickly as possible. The correction affects
fisheries that began on June 27, 2026, and corrects errors that may
lead to confusion for the public and potentially impact the prosecution
of fisheries. Moreover, significant public participation took place in
the process of developing the management measures through a process of
developing the management measures through a process that involved
state and Tribal governments and the Pacific Fishery Management Council
(Council). No aspect of this action is controversial and no change in
operating practices in the fishery is required. For the same reasons,
pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(d), the NMFS AA finds good cause to waive the
30-day delay in effective date.
Because prior notice and opportunity for public comment are not
required 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 inapplicable.
This final rule has been determined to be not significant for
purposes of Executive Order 12866. This final rule is not an Executive
Order 14192 regulatory action.
This final rule was developed after meaningful consultation with
the Tribal representative on the Council, who agreed with the
provisions that apply to tribal vessels. Representatives of several
Tribes also participated in the related Council meetings and provided
testimony on the management measures.
This final rule contains no information collection requirements
under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 773-773k; 1801 et seq.
Dated: August 31, 2026.
Samuel D. Rauch III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-18029 Filed 9-2-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on September 3, 2026.
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