Rule-Breaking Fishing: Mass Boats Want Special Passes
Published Date: 3/20/2025
Notice
Summary
Fishing boats with federal permits in Massachusetts want special permission to fish outside usual rules from April to September 2025. This lets them try new fishing methods and catch fish in areas normally off-limits during certain months. If you care about fishing, you can share your thoughts by April 4, 2025, before a final decision is made.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Temporary exemptions to fish closed areas
If approved, an Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) would let participating federally permitted vessels fish outside several federal rules for sampling Atlantic herring. The requested exemptions would: allow harvest in Area 1A during April–May (overriding the January–May no-harvest rule for Area 1A); allow midwater trawl in Area 1A from June 1–September 30; allow use of small-mesh bottom trawl in Gulf of Maine and Georges Bank regulated mesh areas; and allow small-mesh bottom trawl in Gulf of Maine Cod Protection Closure Areas during April–November (excluding year‑round groundfish closed areas).
Limited authorized harvest and sampling schedule
The EFP would authorize up to 3 vessels to retain a total of 3,000 adult herring (about 970 lb / 440 kg) over no more than 20 sampling trips, with spring sampling in April–May and fall sampling from August–November, and all sampling ending by December 31, 2025. The project plans roughly 20 days at sea, aims to take about 150 herring per area per trip (coolers hold up to about 300 herring), and notes the 3,000-herring total is about 15% of the 6,600-lb possession limit associated with an Open Access Category D Permit.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
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.
2025-06746, Rescinding the Definition of “Harm” Under the Endangered Species Act
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service want to remove the current definition of “harm” under the Endangered Species Act because it includes habitat changes that don’t match the law’s true meaning. This change affects anyone involved in protecting endangered species and could shift how rules are enforced. You have until May 19, 2025, to share your thoughts, and this update aims to clarify the law without adding new costs.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-04799, Endangered and Threatened Species; Take of Anadromous Fish
NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service got nine new permit requests to study endangered and threatened fish like salmon, steelhead, and sturgeon. These permits help scientists learn more to protect these species better. If you want to comment or ask for a public hearing, do it by April 21, 2025—no money changes now, just science in action!
Next: 2025-04390, Dakota Prairie Grasslands; North Dakota; Environmental Impact Statement for the Greater Sage-Grouse Grasslands Plan Amendment; Withdrawal
The Forest Service is stopping plans to study new rules for protecting the greater sage-grouse in North Dakota’s Dakota Prairie Grasslands. This change comes because recent actions already protect the bird’s habitat, and the government decided the bird doesn’t need extra endangered species protections. This means no new costs or delays for local land users or energy developers.