NOAA Fisheries Issues the Final Rule Implementing Federal Management of Salmon Fishing in the Cook Inlet EEZ Area

NOAA Fisheries announces it is implementing Federal management of commercial and recreational salmon fishing in the Cook Inlet Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The final rule, filed in the Federal Register today, is in response to federal court rulings requiring Federal management of salmon fishing in the Cook Inlet EEZ Area in accordance with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act and publication of a final rule for the management of the Cook Inlet EEZ Area by May 1, 2024.

This rule establishes federal management over the Cook Inlet EEZ Area (see below map). The State of Alaska will continue to manage all salmon fisheries within the State waters of Cook Inlet.

Federal management will mean new requirements for commercial drift gillnet vessels fishing in the Cook Inlet EEZ Area. Among other requirements, commercial fishing vessels must obtain a federal permit, maintain a fishing logbook, have a vessel monitoring system (VMS) installed on their vessels,and comply with all other Federal regulations laid out in the final rule.

Processors and buyers receiving deliveries of salmon commercially caught in the Cook Inlet EEZ Area must obtain a federal permit, report deliveries using the eLandings system, and comply with all other Federal regulations laid out in the final rule.

Recreational anglers and charter operators fishing for salmon in the Cook Inlet EEZ Area must check regulations established for Federal waters to ensure they are in compliance with bag and possession limits.

For more details on the new requirements for commercial and recreational fishing in the Cook Inlet EEZ Area, please see the Small Entity Compliance Guide. These new requirements will be effective May 30, 2024.

NOAA Fisheries adopted this rule after considering input from Cook Inlet driftnet fishers, tribes, commercial and recreational fishery associations, Southcentral Alaska communities, and other members of the public.

To assist stakeholders in complying with these new regulations, NOAA Fisheries will hold two in person public meetings and one webinar at the following times and locations.

• May 15, 2024: Kenai, Alaska - 5:30 to 7:30 pm
  • Quality Inn - Conference room
  • 10352 Kenai Spur Highway
• May 16, 2024: Homer, Alaska - 5:30 to 7:30 pm
  • Best Western Bidarka Inn - Upstairs conference room
  • 575 Sterling Highway
• May 22, 2024: Online Webinar - 10:00am to 12:00pm

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