New England Fishery Council to Discuss Rule Changes in Portland
Published Date: 3/26/2026
Notice
Summary
The New England Fishery Management Council is holding a 3-day meeting from April 14-16, 2026, to discuss important changes affecting local fisheries. Fishermen, seafood businesses, and coastal communities will hear updates and weigh in on new rules aimed at boosting American seafood competitiveness. You can join in person in Portland, Maine, or online, with no direct costs announced but big impacts expected on fishing practices.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.
Review of Seafood Competitiveness EO
The Council will review Executive Order 14276, Restoring American Seafood Competitiveness, including public comments received through December 2025 and the Council's September 2025 response and workplan. The review will occur during the April 14–16, 2026 meeting in Portland, ME, with webinar options for public participation.
Potential Monkfish/Skate IFQ Program
The Council will review and may approve a scoping document and schedule for a potential individual fishing quota (IFQ) program for the monkfish and/or skate wing fisheries during its April 14 session in Portland, ME. The item includes consideration of a white paper summarizing coordinated monkfish and skate activities in 2025.
Atlantic Herring Specs, 2027–2031
The Council will receive a report from the Atlantic Herring Committee on development of an action for Fishing Years 2027–2031 Atlantic herring specifications and related measures (including river herring and shad management) during the April 15, 2026 meeting. This item advances formal specification development for those fishing years.
Redfish Exemption Program Review
The Council will receive the Redfish Exemption Program Review draft report from the Groundfish Committee on April 16, 2026, and discuss fishery-independent survey updates and related planning items during the meeting in Portland, ME.
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