Scup Quota Snagged: Northeast Fishermen Banned Until Spring
Published Date: 3/16/2026
Rule
Summary
The 2026 Winter I commercial quota for scup fish has been fully caught, so commercial fishing boats can’t land scup until April 30, 2026. This affects all federally permitted scup fishers in the Northeastern U.S., who must stop landing scup immediately to protect the fish population. The closure helps keep the fishery healthy and fair for everyone involved.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Commercial Scup Landings Halted
The 2026 Winter I commercial quota for scup (7,984,470 pounds) has been fully caught, so vessels with a Federal commercial scup permit may not fish for, possess, or land scup in or from the EEZ from 0001 hours March 16, 2026 through April 30, 2026. Federally permitted vessels also may not land scup for sale that were harvested from either State waters or the EEZ during this period.
Dealers Cannot Buy EEZ-Caught Scup
Dealers and other persons are prohibited from purchasing or otherwise receiving scup harvested from the EEZ for a commercial purpose effective 0001 hours March 16, 2026 through April 30, 2026. The Federal Register notice advises dealer permit holders that no Federal commercial quota is available for landing scup through April 30, 2026.
State Option: Count April 15–30 Landings
A State may apply to the Regional Administrator to have scup landed for sale in that State from April 15 through April 30 by State-only permitted vessels (fishing only in State waters) counted against the Summer period quota. The request must be a letter signed by the principal State official (or designee) and received by the Regional Administrator no later than April 15; the Regional Administrator will respond within 10 working days.
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