Environmental Assessment/Regulatory Impact Review for Proposed Amendment 16 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Salmon Fisheries in the EEZ Off Alaska

If approved, Amendment 16 would incorporate the Cook Inlet EEZ Area into the Salmon FMP, thereby bringing the Cook Inlet EEZ Area and the salmon fisheries that occur within it under Federal management by the North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) and NMFS. Amendment 16 and its implementing regulations would establish federal fishery management measures for all salmon fishing that occurs in the Cook Inlet EEZ, which includes drift gillnet and recreational salmon fisheries. This proposed rule is necessary to comply with rulings from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and the U.S. District Court for the District of Alaska, and to ensure the Salmon FMP is consistent with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. There is significant litigation risk associated with this action.