# 2026-07292: New Salmon Catch Limits Proposed for Alaska's Cook Inlet

2026-07292, Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Cook Inlet; Proposed 2026 Harvest Specifications for Salmon, is a Federal Register proposed rule from Commerce Department, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration published 2026-04-15, effective Comments must be received by April 30, 2026.; PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-06-11).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-07292
- As of: 2026-06-11
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Document number: 2026-07292
- Title: Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Cook Inlet; Proposed 2026 Harvest Specifications for Salmon
- Type: Proposed Rule
- Agencies: Commerce Department; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
- Citation: 91 FR 20085
- Published: 2026-04-15
- Effective: Comments must be received by April 30, 2026.
- Comments close: not stated
- Significant: no
- Touches household money: yes
- Regulation identifier numbers: none
- Last updated: 2026-06-11

## In one line

New Salmon Catch Limits Proposed for Alaska's Cook Inlet

## 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.

## Abstract

NMFS proposes 2026 harvest specifications for the salmon fishery of the Cook Inlet exclusive economic zone (EEZ) Area. This action is necessary to establish harvest limits for salmon during the 2026 fishing year and to accomplish the goals and objectives of the Fishery Management Plan for Salmon Fisheries in the EEZ off Alaska (Salmon FMP). The intended effect of this action is to conserve and manage the salmon resources in Cook Inlet EEZ Area in accordance with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson- Stevens Act).

## Effects PRIA read

- Proposed 2026 catch limits for salmon: benefit, high. 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…
- Inseason closures if TACs reached: cost, medium. 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 op…
- Small-entity counts and claimed economic effects: benefit, medium. 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…

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## Sources
- [2026-07292 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/04/15/2026-07292/fisheries-of-the-exclusive-economic-zone-off-alaska-cook-inlet-proposed-2026-harvest-specifications)
- [2026-07292 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-04-15/pdf/2026-07292.pdf)

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Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-07292 (as of 2026-06-11).