NOAA finalizes Queets River spring/summer Chinook rebuilding plan

NOAA Fisheries published a final rule Sept. 28 implementing the Pacific Fishery Management Council’s rebuilding plan for overfished Queets River natural spring/summer Chinook. The rule is effective Oct. 28, 2026.

NMFS declared the stock overfished in 2023 after the 2019–2021 three-year geometric mean of spawning escapement fell to 314 fish, below the 350-fish minimum stock size threshold. The rebuilding plan keeps management consistent with the Pacific Coast Salmon FMP; the stock is rebuilt when the three-year geometric mean of natural-area adult escapement meets or exceeds SMSY.

NMFS said tribal consultation on the Council and with the Northwest Indian Fish Commission supported the plan. Public comments on the proposed rule were outside the scope of this action, and no changes were made in the final rule. West Coast salmon managers and Queets-area anglers should track how the rebuilt criteria guide future season-setting.

This is a The Gillnet news desk summary, not a reprint.

Source: Federal Register — Fisheries off West Coast states; West Coast salmon fisheries; rebuilding plan for the overfished Queets River spring/summer Chinook (Sept. 28, 2026).