Pacific Council Gears Up for Groundfish Meetings

2026-14204, Lake Ontario National Marine Sanctuary; Delay of Effective Date

NOAA is giving everyone more time before the rule that bans grappling or anchoring on Lake Ontario shipwrecks kicks in. Instead of starting in July 2026, this rule is now delayed until September 2028 to let NOAA set up mooring buoys and work with divers and boaters. This means boaters and commercial vessels can keep anchoring safely while NOAA gets everything ready without rushing.

2026-14195, Rescinding the Definition of “Harm” Under the Endangered Species Act

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration are wiping away the official definition of “harm” under the Endangered Species Act starting September 14, 2026. This change affects anyone involved in protecting endangered plants and animals by shifting how “harm” is understood and enforced. It’s a big move that could change how projects and protections are handled, but no new costs or deadlines are added right now.

2026-07536, Taking and Importing Marine Mammals; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Geophysical Surveys in the Gulf of America

Starting April 20, 2026, NOAA is setting new rules for companies doing geophysical surveys in the Gulf of America to protect marine mammals. These rules let companies get permission to accidentally disturb marine mammals but require them to minimize harm and report what they find. This plan lasts five years and helps balance ocean research with saving sea life.

2026-05599, Deep Seabed Mining: Notice of Receipt of Applications for Deep Seabed Mining Exploration Licenses and Announcement of Public Comment Period and Virtual Public Hearings

NOAA got two applications from companies wanting to explore mining deep under the ocean floor. They’re holding virtual public meetings in April and want your thoughts by May 22, 2026. This affects anyone interested in ocean mining and how we protect our seas while exploring new resources.

2026-04256, Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Spatial Fisheries Management; Amendment 15 to the 2006 Consolidated Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Fishery Management Plan

Starting April 3, 2026, new rules change shark fishing zones and times in the Atlantic to better protect sharks and manage fishing risks. Fishermen using bottom and pelagic longline gear will see updated area boundaries and must pay for electronic monitoring if fishing in certain safer zones. These changes help keep shark populations healthy while supporting responsible fishing.

2026-20652, Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Fisheries; General Category October Through November Quota Transfer and Adjustment

NOAA is shifting some bluefin tuna fishing quota to help commercial fishermen catch more fish from October to November 2026. They moved 70.2 metric tons from a reserve and added leftover quota from earlier months, boosting the total catch allowed to 192.9 metric tons. This change helps commercial and charter boats with the right permits fish more bluefin tuna during this period.

Previous: 2025-04145, National Eye Institute; Notice of Closed Meetings

The National Eye Institute is holding several closed virtual meetings in April 2025 to review and decide on important vision research grant applications. These meetings protect private info and trade secrets while helping decide who gets funding to advance eye health. If you’re involved in vision research grants, these dates are key for your funding chances!

Next: 2025-04147, Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE Chicago, Inc.; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Amend Rules 7.31 and 7.37

NYSE Chicago is updating its rules to add a new optional way to route MPL-IOC orders, making trading smoother and more flexible for market participants. This change kicks in right away and doesn’t affect investor protection or competition. Traders using these order types should see no extra costs or delays, just a smarter way to handle their trades.