Fisheries Off West Coast States; Modification of the West Coast Salmon Fisheries; Inseason Action #1-#11

Issuing agencies

Abstract

NMFS announces eleven inseason actions for 2026-2027 ocean salmon fisheries. These inseason actions modified the commercial salmon fisheries in the area from United States/Canada border to Cape Falcon, OR.

Full Text

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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 203 (Thursday, October 22, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 203 (Thursday, October 22, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 66655-66659]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-21607]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 660

[Docket No. 260514-0235; RTID 0648-XF965]


Fisheries Off West Coast States; Modification of the West Coast 
Salmon Fisheries; Inseason Action #1-#11

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

ACTION: Inseason modification of 2026-2027 management measures.

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SUMMARY: NMFS announces eleven inseason actions for 2026-2027 ocean 
salmon fisheries. These inseason actions modified the commercial salmon 
fisheries in the area from United States/Canada border to Cape Falcon, 
OR.

DATES: The effective dates for these inseason actions are set out in 
this

[[Page 66656]]

document under the heading ``Inseason Actions'' and the actions 
remained in effect until superseded or modified.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shannon Penna, (562) 980-4239, 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#99caf1f8f7f7f6f7b7c9fcf7f7f8d9f7f6f8f8b7fef6ef"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="37645f5659595859196752595956775958565619505841">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The annual management measures for the 2026-2027 ocean salmon 
fisheries (91 FR 29092, May 19, 2026) govern the commercial and 
recreational fisheries in the area from the United States/Canada border 
to the United States/Mexico border, effective from 0001 hours Pacific 
Daylight Time (PDT), May 16, 2026, until the effective date of the 
2027-2028 management measures, which we expect to be May 16, 2027. NMFS 
is authorized to implement inseason management actions to modify 
fishing seasons, catch limits, and other management measures 
considering factors described in regulation (50 CFR 660.409). Inseason 
actions in the salmon fishery may be taken directly by NMFS (50 CFR 
660.409(a)--Fixed inseason management provisions) or upon consultation 
with the Chairman of the Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council), 
and the appropriate State Directors (50 CFR 660.409(b)--Flexible 
inseason management provisions).
    Management of the salmon fisheries is divided into two geographic 
areas: north of Cape Falcon (NOF) (United States/Canada border to Cape 
Falcon, OR) and south of Cape Falcon (SOF) (Cape Falcon, OR, to the 
United States/Mexico border). This notice describes inseason actions 
taken during the 2026-2027 management cycle. These actions affected the 
NOF commercial salmon fishery, as set out under the heading Inseason 
Actions below.
    Consultation on these inseason actions took place with the Council 
salmon staff officer and representatives for the appropriate State 
Directors on May 18, 2026, May 27, 2026, June 3, 2026, June 11, 2026, 
June 18, 2026, and June 25, 2026. This consultation also included 
representatives from NMFS, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife 
(WDFW), and Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. Representatives 
from the Salmon Advisory Subpanel and the Salmon Technical Team were 
also present.
    These inseason actions were announced via the NMFS' telephone 
hotline and U.S. Coast Guard radio broadcast at the time the actions 
became effective. (50 CFR 660.411(a)(2)).

Inseason Actions

Inseason Action #1

    Description of the action: Inseason action #1 modified the 
commercial salmon troll fishery from the United States/Canada border to 
Cape Falcon, OR.
    <bullet> Added a landing and possession limit for the entire area 
between the United States/Canada border and Cape Falcon for 200 Chinook 
salmon per vessel per landing week (Thursday-Wednesday).
    <bullet> The landing and possession limit in the subareas between 
the United States/Canada border and the Queets River was 100 Chinook 
salmon per vessel per landing week (Thursday through Wednesday).
    <bullet> The landing and possession limit for the subarea between 
the Queets River and Leadbetter Point was 200 Chinook salmon per vessel 
per landing week (Thursday through Wednesday).
    <bullet> The landing and possession limit in the subarea between 
Leadbetter Point and Cape Falcon was 80 Chinook salmon per vessel per 
landing week (Thursday through Wednesday).
    Effective dates: Inseason action #1 went into effect at 12:01 a.m., 
on May 18, 2026, and remained in effect until 11:59 p.m., May 27, 2026.
    Reason and authorization for the action: Catch rates were lower 
than anticipated going into the spring season, so increasing the 
landing and possession limits allowed for more opportunities for 
fisheries to take advantage of the economic benefit of higher prices 
early in the season, good fishing, and weather windows. To accomplish 
this, a landing and possession limit was set for the entire area NOF as 
well as limits for specific subareas. Fishers were allowed to fish up 
to the subarea limits in multiple subareas, but not exceed the overall 
NOF landing and possession limit. One limit for the entire NOF area 
allows for enhanced ability to manage the quota effectively by avoiding 
fishers catching the full subarea limit in multiple subareas and 
preventing much higher cumulative catch early in the season. A limit 
for the entire NOF area and lower limits in certain subareas also 
ensures fair fishing opportunity throughout the fishery and across 
ports. The varying limits throughout the smaller subareas allow for 
greater access to the quota based on the availability of fish in each 
subarea, which allows for more equitable fishing opportunity and a 
longer fishing season.
    The Regional Administrator (RA) considered the abundance forecasts 
for Chinook salmon stocks, the timing of the action relative to the 
length of the season, catch and effort to date, projected catch and 
effort under the proposed action, and other relevant factors and 
determined that the inseason action described above was necessary to 
meet management and conservation goals set preseason. This inseason 
action modified species caught and landed during specific seasons and 
the establishment or modification of limited retention regulations 
under 50 CFR 660.409(b)(1)(ii).

Inseason Action #2

    Description of the action: Inseason action #2 modified the landing 
and possession limit for the commercial salmon troll fishery in the 
area between the United States/Canada border and Cape Falcon, OR, from 
200 Chinook salmon per vessel per landing week (Thursday through 
Wednesday) to 100 Chinook salmon per vessel per landing week (Thursday 
through Wednesday).
    Effective dates: Inseason action #2 went into effect at 12:01 a.m., 
on May 28, 2026, and remained in effect until 11:59 p.m., June 3, 2026.
    Reason and authorization of the action: Due to high fishing effort 
and catch rates for the fishing week of May 21, 2026, through May 27, 
2026, the overall NOF landing and possession limit was decreased. 
Chinook salmon catch was 4,422 that week on a spring season quota of 
37,300, with 13,481 Chinook salmon remaining on the quota for the 
season ending the earlier of June 29, 2026, or attainment of the quota. 
This inseason action was necessary to preserve the quota for the length 
of the season and keep trip limits at economically viable levels.
    The RA considered the abundance forecasts for Chinook salmon 
stocks, the timing of the action relative to the length of the season, 
catch and effort to date, projected catch and effort under the proposed 
action compared with the remaining quota, and other relevant factors 
and determined that the inseason action described above is necessary to 
meet management and conservation goals set preseason. This inseason 
action modified species caught and landed during specific seasons and 
the establishment or modification of limited retention regulations 
under 50 CFR 660.409(b)(1)(ii).

Inseason Action #3-#5

    Description of action #3: Inseason action #3 modified the landing 
and possession limit for the commercial salmon troll fishery in the 
area between the United States/Canada border and Cape Falcon, OR from 
100 Chinook salmon per vessel per landing week

[[Page 66657]]

(Thursday through Wednesday) to 50 Chinook salmon per vessel per 
landing week (Thursday through Wednesday).
    Effective dates: Inseason action #3 went into effect at 12:01 a.m., 
on June 4, 2026, and remained in effect until 11:59 p.m., on June 9, 
2026.

Reason and Authorization of the Action--See Below

Inseason Action #4

    Description of action #4: Inseason action #4 modified the 
commercial salmon troll fishery. The area between United States/Canada 
border and Cape Falcon, OR was closed.
    Effective dates: Inseason action #4 went into effect at 11:59 p.m., 
on June 9, 2026, and remained in effect until 11:59 p.m., June 11, 
2026.

Reason and Authorization of the Action--See Below

Inseason Action #5

    Description of action #5: Inseason action #5 modified the ocean 
salmon troll commercial fishery. The area between the United States/
Canada border and Cape Falcon, OR was reopened Fridays through Tuesdays 
only, closed Wednesdays and Thursdays with a landing and possession 
limit of 50 Chinook salmon per vessel.
    Effective dates: Inseason action #5 went into effect on June 12, 
2026, and remained in effect until June 16, 2026.
    Reason and authorization of the actions #3-#5: Due to good weather 
and an increase in effort, the catch rate was high for the landing week 
from May 28, 2026, through June 3, 2026. The Chinook salmon catch that 
week was 7,300 on a spring season quota of 37,300, with 6,181 Chinook 
salmon remaining on the quota. To slow down catch and effort to provide 
opportunity while preserving the length of the season, the landing and 
possession limit for the entire NOF area was reduced to 50 Chinook 
salmon per vessel per landing week from 100 Chinook per vessel per 
landing week (Inseason #3). On June 9, 2026, the fishery was closed to 
assess landings to determine if there remained sufficient quota to 
allow for additional fishing opportunity (Inseason #4). After assessing 
the landings made between June 4, 2026, through June 9, 2026, and the 
remaining quota, the area NOF reopened with a 50 Chinook salmon landing 
and possession limit, but with a shorter landing week to access the 
remaining spring quota while preserving the length of the season 
(Inseason #5).
    The RA considered the quotas for Chinook salmon stocks, the timing 
of the action relative to the length of the season, catch and effort to 
date, projected catch and effort under the proposed action, and other 
relevant factors like weather, and determined that the inseason action 
described above is necessary to meet management and conservation goals 
set preseason. Inseason action #4 closed the fishery to assess catch 
and reassess landing limits for Chinook salmon as they were reaching 
their quota. These actions were intended to prolong season length and 
fishing opportunity. With a limited spring quota remaining, inseason 
action #4 was necessary to ensure that the Chinook salmon quota was not 
exceeded. Inseason action #4 modified the fishing season consistent 
with 50 CFR 660.409(b)(1)(i). Inseason actions #3 and #5 modified the 
number of species that may be caught and landed during specific seasons 
and the establishment or modification of limited retention regulations 
under 50 CFR 660.409(b)(1)(ii).

Inseason Actions #6-#7

    Description of action #6: Inseason action #6 modified the 
commercial salmon troll fishery in the area between the United States/
Canada border and Cape Falcon. The overall NOF landing and possession 
limit was reduced from 50 Chinook salmon per vessel to 35 Chinook 
salmon per vessel for the open period.
    Effective dates: Inseason action #6 went into effect at 12:01 a.m., 
June 12, 2026, and remained in effect until 11:59 p.m., June 16, 2026.

Reason and Authorization of the Action--See Below

    Description of action #7: Inseason action #7 modified the 
commercial salmon troll fishery. The area between the United States/
Canada border and Cape Falcon was closed.
    Effective dates: Inseason action #7 went into effect at 11:59 p.m., 
on June 16, 2026, and remained in effect until 11:59 p.m., on June 18, 
2026.

Reason and Authorization of the Action--See Below

    Reason and authorization of inseason actions #6 and #7: As of June 
12, 2026, the Chinook salmon catch was 34,149 on a spring season quota 
of 37,300 Chinook salmon, with 3,151 quota remaining. To slow down 
catch and effort to preserve the season length and quota while 
providing opportunity, the landing and possession limit for the entire 
NOF area was reduced to 35 Chinook salmon per vessel per landing week 
from 50 Chinook per vessel per landing week (Action #6). To avoid 
exceeding the quota and evaluate the week's landings, the fishery 
closed on June 16, 2026 (Action #7).
    The RA considered the quotas for Chinook salmon stocks, the timing 
of the action relative to the length of the season, catch and effort to 
date, projected catch and effort under the proposed action, and other 
relevant factors like weather, and determined that Inseason action #6 
was necessary to meet management and conservation goals set preseason. 
Inseason action #6 modified the number of species that may be caught 
and landed during specific seasons and the establishment or 
modification of limited retention regulations under 50 CFR 
660.409(b)(1)(ii). Inseason action #7 was taken to prolong season 
length and fishing opportunity. With limited spring quota remaining, 
inseason action #7 was necessary to ensure that the Chinook salmon 
quota was not exceeded. Inseason action #4 modified the fishing season 
consistent with 50 CFR 660.409(b)(1)(i).

Inseason Action #8

    Description of the action: Inseason action #8 modified the ocean 
salmon troll commercial fishery in the area between the United States/
Canada border and Cape Falcon.
    Effective dates: Inseason action #8 went into effect on the 
following dates and remained in effect until stated.
    <bullet> Effective 12:01 a.m., June 19, 2026, through 11:59 p.m., 
June 23, 2026, the overall NOF landing and possession limit was 
modified from 35 Chinook salmon per vessel for the open period to 20 
Chinook salmon per vessel for the open period.
    <bullet> Effective 11:59 p.m., June 23, 2026, through 11:59 p.m., 
June 26, 2026, the area between the United States/Canada border and 
Cape Falcon was closed.
    Description of the action: As of June 16, 2026, the Chinook salmon 
catch was 35,867 on a spring season quota of 37,300 with 1,433 quota 
remaining. After assessing available quota and projected effort and 
catch rates, the fishery was reopened to give vessels an opportunity to 
access the remaining spring quota. The landing and possession limit was 
reduced to 20 Chinook salmon per vessel per landing week from 35 
Chinook per vessel per landing week. Due to a drop of effort during the 
previous week and anticipated similar effort for the proposed opening, 
the fishery reopened for the week of June 19, 2026, through June 23, 
2026, without exceeding the spring quota. To avoid exceeding the quota 
and evaluate the week's landings,

[[Page 66658]]

the fishery in all areas North of Cape Falcon closed on June 23, 2026.
    The RA considered the quotas for Chinook salmon stocks, the timing 
of the action relative to the length of the season, catch and effort to 
date, projected catch and effort under the proposed action, and other 
relevant factors like weather, and determined that the inseason action 
described above was necessary to meet management and conservation goals 
set preseason. This inseason action modified the number of species that 
may be caught and landed during specific seasons and the establishment 
or modification of limited retention regulations under 50 CFR 
660.409(b)(1)(ii).
    With a limited spring quota remaining, inseason action #8 was 
necessary to ensure that the Chinook salmon quota was not exceeded. 
Inseason action #4 modified the fishing season consistent with 50 CFR 
660.409(b)(1)(i).

Inseason Action #9

    Description of the action: Inseason action #9 modified the 
commercial salmon troll fishery in the area between the United States/
Canada border and Cape Falcon, OR.
    Effective dates: Inseason action #9 went into effect on the 
following dates and remained in effect until superseded or stated.
    <bullet> Effective 12:01 a.m., July 1, 2026, through 11:59 p.m., 
July 8, 2026, the overall NOF landing and possession limit was 50 
Chinook salmon and 50 marked coho salmon per vessel for a landing week 
Wednesday to Wednesday (modified from Thursday to Wednesday).
    <bullet> Effective 12:01 a.m., July 9, 2026, the overall NOF 
landing and possession limit was 50 Chinook salmon and 50 marked coho 
salmon per landing week (Thursday through Wednesday).
    Reason and authorization for the action: In the 2026 annual 
management measures, for the July through September summer fishery, 
there were no set landing and possession limits for Chinook salmon for 
this area. Given the high effort in the troll fleet and the high catch 
rates observed for much of the spring season, it was deemed prudent to 
establish a landing and possession limit for the summer season in order 
to preserve the Chinook quota for the length of the season. NMFS 
considered the high effort and catch rates seen during the spring 
season when approving the proposed action of a 50 Chinook salmon 
landing and possession limit for the first week (July 1, 2026, through 
July 8, 2026). To meet season length objectives and preserve later 
fishing opportunity, the limit remained the same for the following week 
(starting July 9, 2026). In addition, due to the summer season opening 
on a Wednesday rather than a Thursday, the initial landing week (July 
1, 2026, through July 8, 2026) was designated as an 8-day account 
period. Incorporating the single day into the opening week ensured 
streamlined catch reporting and maintained consistent data integrity 
for inseason quota tracking. Beginning July 9, 2026 the fishery resumed 
the regular Thursday through Wednesday landing week.
    The RA considered the 2026 abundance forecasts for Chinook salmon 
stocks, the timing of the action relative to the length of the season, 
catch and effort to date, projected catch and effort under the proposed 
action, and other relevant factors like weather, and determined that 
these inseason actions described above were necessary to meet 
management and conservation goals set preseason. These inseason actions 
modified species caught and landed during specific seasons and the 
establishment or modification of limited retention regulations under 50 
CFR 660.409(b)(1)(ii).

Inseason Actions #10-#11

    Description of action #10: Inseason #10 reopened the spring fishery 
and modified the landing and possession limit for the commercial salmon 
troll fishery in the area between the United States/Canada border and 
Cape Falcon from 35 Chinook salmon per vessel for the open period to 20 
Chinook salmon per vessel for the open period.
    Effective dates: Inseason #10 went into effect at 12:01 a.m., June 
26, 2026, and remained in effect until 11:59 p.m., June 29, 2026.

Reason and Authorization of the Action--See Below

Inseason Action #11

    Description of action #11: Inseason action #11 modified the 
commercial salmon troll fishery. The area between the United States/
Canada border and Cape Falcon was closed.
    Effective dates: Inseason #11 went into effect at 11:59 p.m., on 
June 29, 2026, and remained in effect until 11:59 p.m., June 30, 2026.

Reason and Authorization of the Action--See Below

    Reason and authorization for the actions: As of June 23, 2026, the 
Chinook salmon catch was 36,407 for the entire season to date on a 
spring season quota of 37,300 with 893 quota remaining. After assessing 
available quota and projected effort and catch rates after the landing 
week of June 19, 2026, through June 23, 2026, the fishery was reopened 
to give vessels an opportunity to access the remaining spring quota. To 
prevent exceeding the quota, the landing and possession limit remained 
at 20 Chinook salmon per vessel per landing period with a short open 
period. Due to a drop in effort due to unfavorable weather conditions 
and the reduction of the landing and possession limit, NMFS determined 
that the fishery could reopen for the period of June 26, 2026, through 
June 29, 2026. To avoid exceeding the quota, the fishery closed on June 
29, 2026, and remained closed until the end of the spring season on 
June 30, 2026.
    The RA considered the 2026 abundance forecasts for Chinook salmon 
stocks, the timing of the action relative to the length of the season, 
catch and effort to date, projected catch and effort under the proposed 
action, and other relevant factors like weather, and determined that 
Inseason #10 was necessary to meet management and conservation goals 
set preseason. Inseason action #10 modified species caught and landed 
during specific seasons and the establishment or modification of 
limited retention regulations under 50 CFR 660.409(b)(1)(ii). With a 
limited spring quota remaining, inseason action #11 was necessary to 
ensure that the Chinook salmon quota was not exceeded, consistent with 
50 CFR 660.409(a).
    All other restrictions and regulations remained in effect as 
announced for the 2026-2027 ocean salmon fisheries (91 FR 29092, May 
19, 2026) except as previously modified by inseason actions.
    As provided by the inseason notice procedures at 50 CFR 660.411, 
actual notice of the described regulatory actions was given, prior to 
the time the actions became effective, by telephone hotline numbers 
206-526-6667 and 800-662-9825, and by U.S. Coast Guard Notice to 
Mariners broadcasts on Channel 16 VHF-FM and 2182 kHz.

Classification

    NMFS issues these actions pursuant to section 305(d) of the MSA. 
These actions are authorized by 50 CFR 660.409, which was issued 
pursuant to section 304(b) of the MSA, and are exempt from review under 
Executive Order 12866. Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(B), there is good 
cause to waive prior notice and an opportunity for public comment on 
this action, as notice and comment would be impracticable and contrary 
to the public interest. Prior notice and opportunity

[[Page 66659]]

for public comment on this action was impracticable because NMFS had 
insufficient time to provide for prior notice and the opportunity for 
public comment between the time Chinook and coho salmon abundance, 
catch, and effort information were developed and fisheries impacts were 
calculated, and the time the fishery modifications had to be 
implemented in order to ensure fishing opportunity is consistent with 
conservation needs and management objectives, and/or fisheries are 
managed consistent with quotas and conservation objectives. There is a 
heightened need to respond quickly to inseason information about the 
salmon fishery because fish migrate quickly through the Exclusive 
Economic Zone (EEZ) and the mix of stocks in the EEZ shifts throughout 
the season, thus the time available between the time new information 
about the fishery becomes available and the opportunity to act 
effectively on that information is short. By the time public notice and 
comment would be completed, the mix of stocks in the fishery would have 
changed such that inseason action would be ineffective and potentially 
harmful. Therefore, NMFS determined that waiving the notice and comment 
period in order to respond to updated information indicating the need 
for immediate action to provide fishing opportunity consistent with 
quotas and conservation objectives, or to avoid exceeding quotas, 
served the public interest. As previously noted, actual notice of the 
regulatory action was provided to fishers through telephone hotlines 
and radio notifications. These actions comply with the requirements of 
the annual management measures for ocean salmon fisheries (90 FR 20810, 
May 16, 2025), the FMP, and regulations implementing the FMP under 50 
CFR 660.409 and 660.411. There is good cause under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3) 
to waive the 30-day delay in effective date, as a delay in 
effectiveness of this action would constrain fishing in a manner that 
is inconsistent with the goals of the FMP and the current management 
measures.

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

    Dated: October 19, 2026.
Shannon Bettridge,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-21607 Filed 10-21-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P


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