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.

• 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).
• 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).
• 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).
• 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 ( printed 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.

• 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.
• 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, ( printed 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.

• 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).
• 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 ( printed 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.

91 FR 66655