Salmon fishery management is complex. NOAA Fisheries Service seeks to implement fisheries that are consistent with statutory and legal obligations related to resource conservation, socioeconomic benefits associated with resource use, and tribal treaty trust obligations.

The Northwest Region analyzes proposed fishery management actions in a NEPA document, such as an environmental impact statement (EIS) or environmental assessment (EA).

Most salmon fishery management plans are developed annually within the context of framework plans. The annual plans meet the year-specific circumstances related to the status of fish stocks affected by the planned harvest.