SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

NMFS manages the Cook Inlet EEZ Area according to the Fishery Management Plan for the Salmon Fisheries in the EEZ off Alaska (Salmon FMP). The intended effect of this action is to conserve and manage the salmon resources in the Cook Inlet EEZ Area in accordance with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act). Regulations governing fishing by U.S. vessels in accordance with the Salmon FMP appear at subpart H of 50 CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 679.

The 2026 aggregate coho salmon stock complex TAC for the salmon fishery in the Cook Inlet EEZ Area is 16,619 fish as established by the final 2026 harvest specifications for salmon in the Cook Inlet EEZ Area (91 FR 36761, June 18, 2026).

In accordance with § 679.118(c)(1)(i), the Regional Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator) has determined that the 2026 aggregate coho salmon stock complex TAC may be or has been reached. Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting commercial fishing for all salmon species in the Cook Inlet EEZ Area to prevent exceeding the aggregate coho salmon stock complex TAC. It is necessary to close commercial fishing for all salmon species because the commercial fishery harvests mixed ( printed page 50729) stocks of salmon but cannot target specific stocks and the harvest of the aggregate coho salmon stock complex is therefore unavoidable. If commercial salmon fishing in the Cook Inlet EEZ Area continued, the aggregate coho salmon stock complex would be harvested in conjunction with other salmon species in the Cook Inlet EEZ Area and the aggregate coho salmon stock complex TAC would be exceeded.

Classification

NMFS issues this action pursuant to section 305(d) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act. This action is required by 50 CFR 679.118(c)(1)(i), which was issued pursuant to section 304(c) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, and is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866.

Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B), there is good cause to waive prior notice and an opportunity for public comment on this action, as notice and comment would be impracticable and contrary to the public interest, as it would prevent NMFS from responding to the most recent fisheries data on salmon catch in a timely fashion, and would delay the closure of the commercial fishery for salmon in the Cook Inlet EEZ Area. Any delay in the closure of the commercial fishery for salmon could result in the fishery exceeding the 2026 aggregate coho salmon stock complex TAC. NMFS was unable to publish a notice providing time for public comment because the most recent, relevant data on the commercial harvest of salmon in the Cook Inlet EEZ Area only became available as of July 31, 2026.

There is good cause under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3) to establish an effective date less than 30 days after date of publication. This finding is based upon the reasons provided above for waiver of prior notice and opportunity for public comment.

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

91 FR 50728