# 2026-12303: Alaska Sets 2026 Salmon Catch Limits in Cook Inlet 2026-12303, Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone off Alaska; Cook Inlet; Final 2026 Harvest Specifications for Salmon, is a Federal Register rule from Commerce Department, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration published 2026-06-18, effective 2026-06-17; PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-06-25). - Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-12303 - As of: 2026-06-25 - Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts. ## Facts - Document number: 2026-12303 - Title: Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone off Alaska; Cook Inlet; Final 2026 Harvest Specifications for Salmon - Type: Rule - Agencies: Commerce Department; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration - Citation: 91 FR 36761 - Published: 2026-06-18 - Effective: 2026-06-17 - Comments close: not stated - Significant: no - Touches household money: yes - Regulation identifier numbers: none - Last updated: 2026-06-25 ## In one line Alaska Sets 2026 Salmon Catch Limits in Cook Inlet ## Summary The 2026 salmon fishing rules for Cook Inlet, Alaska, are set and ready to go starting June 17, 2026. These new limits help protect salmon populations while supporting local fishermen and communities. If you fish or buy salmon from this area, expect smart management that balances nature and business through next year. ## Abstract NMFS announces the final 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 - Numeric 2026 catch limits set: mixed, high. NMFS published final 2026 numeric harvest specifications (OFL, ABC, and TAC) for Cook Inlet salmon stocks, effective June 17, 2026. Key TAC numbers in table 1 include: Kenai River Late-Run sockeye TAC 1,487,153 fish; Aggregate Chinook TAC 240 fish; Aggregate coho TAC 16,619 fish; Aggregate chum TAC… - Aggregate coho TAC reduced for caution: cost, medium. NMFS and the Council applied an extra management buffer for the Aggregate coho salmon stock complex and set the 2026 coho TAC at 16,619 fish, down from the ABC of 26,805 fish. The rule says this larger buffer is precautionary because recent escapement targets for the indicator coho stocks have not… - Most TACs higher than 10‑year average: benefit, medium. NMFS states that the final TACs for each salmon stock or stock complex, except for Aggregate coho, are higher than the recent 10‑year average harvest estimated to have occurred in the Cook Inlet EEZ Area. NMFS says this may reduce foregone yield and allow for additional harvest opportunity in 2026. - Closures when TACs reached or may be reached: cost, high. NMFS will prohibit commercial salmon fishing in the Cook Inlet EEZ Area if it determines any salmon TAC has been or may be reached, and NMFS may open or close seasons or adjust TACs inseason. NMFS will announce changes in the Federal Register and post bulletins on the Alaska Region website. - Immediate effectiveness to meet opening date: benefit, low. The rule was made effective immediately at 0700 Alaska local time on June 17, 2026 (waiving the usual 30‑day delay) so the Cook Inlet EEZ salmon fishery can open as regulated on June 22, 2026 without confusion between State and Federal openings. The rule remains in effect until the final 2027 harve… - Small entities regulated; no new reporting rules: benefit, low. NMFS says the rule directly regulates commercial salmon fishing vessels and charter operators: an average of 544 CFEC S03H permits were in circulation (292 active permit holders on average), about 209 charter vessel entities participated, and an average of 92 charter guides fished at least once. 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