Makah Tribe Seeks Permit to Hunt Gray Whales for Ceremonies and Food

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.

2026-17798, Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC); Public Meeting

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council will hold a stakeholder workshop jointly with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission to facilitate a focused discussion on alternatives currently under development for the Recreational Sector Separation Amendment for summer flounder, scup, black sea bass, and bluefish.

Previous: 2025-04633, Notice of Inventory Completion: Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA

Harvard’s Peabody Museum finished checking its collection and found that some human remains belong to Native American tribes linked to Uintah County, Utah. This means the museum will work with these tribes to return the remains respectfully. If you’re part of these communities, now’s the time to connect—no money changes hands, but the process is serious and respectful.

Next: 2025-04635, Notice of Inventory Completion: Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation Division of Archaeology, Nashville, TN

The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation just finished checking their collection of Native American human remains and related items. They found a clear connection between these remains and certain Native American tribes or Native Hawaiian groups. This means these groups can now work on getting their ancestors and belongings returned, with no extra costs or delays announced.