New Salmon Catch Limits Proposed for Alaska's Cook Inlet
Published Date: 4/15/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
The government is proposing new salmon fishing limits for Cook Inlet in 2026 to keep salmon populations healthy and fishing fair. This affects local fishermen and businesses who rely on salmon, with rules set to balance catch sizes and conservation. You’ve got until April 30, 2026, to share your thoughts before these changes take effect.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Proposed 2026 catch limits for salmon
NMFS proposes specific 2026 catch limits (OFL, ABC, and TAC) for Cook Inlet salmon stocks. Proposed TACs shown include a combined sockeye TAC of 1,487,153 fish (applies to Kenai River Late-Run, Kasilof River, and Aggregate Other sockeye), Chinook TAC 240, Coho TAC 16,619, Chum TAC 68,645, and Pink TAC 124,721. These numeric limits are the proposed harvest ceilings that commercial and charter fishers in the Cook Inlet EEZ Area would fish under if finalized.
Inseason closures if TACs reached
NMFS may prohibit fishing in the Cook Inlet EEZ Area if it determines any salmon TAC has been or may be reached, and NMFS will announce closures in the Federal Register and online. NMFS also may adjust TACs or open/close seasons inseason to prevent overfishing, which can immediately stop fishing opportunities for commercial and charter operations.
Small-entity counts and claimed economic effects
NMFS estimates the pool of directly regulated small entities includes an average of 544 S03H permits in circulation (about 292 active permit holders) and up to 209 charter vessel small entities (annual average 92 charter guides). The rule states the action is economically beneficial to entities in the Cook Inlet EEZ Area and notes that proposed TACs (except for aggregate coho) are higher than the recent 10-year average harvest, which may reduce foregone yield and allow additional harvest opportunity.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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