Spiny Dogfish Get 2025 Catch Limits Set
Published Date: 3/26/2025
Proposed Rule
Summary
The government is setting new fishing limits for Atlantic spiny dogfish in 2025 to keep the fish population healthy and fishing fair. These rules affect fishermen in the Northeast and aim to balance catching enough fish without overfishing. Comments on the plan are open until April 10, 2025, so everyone can share their thoughts before the final decision.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Coastwide commercial quota cut 18%
The proposal would set the 2025 coastwide commercial spiny dogfish quota at 4,236 metric tons (9.34 million pounds), an 18-percent decrease from the 2024 commercial quota. Overall, the proposed catch limits for 2025 would be reduced between 2 and 18 percent; the proposed quota still exceeds 2023 landings of 3,856 metric tons.
Councils set ABC equal to OFL (50% overfishing risk)
The Mid-Atlantic Council waived its usual risk policy and asked its Scientific and Statistical Committee to set the 2025 acceptable biological catch (ABC) equal to the 2025 overfishing limit (OFL) of 7,626 metric tons, using a 50-percent probability of overfishing. The Councils then used that ABC in adopting the proposed 2025 specifications.
Trip limits and other measures remain unchanged
NMFS proposes no changes to other spiny dogfish management measures for the 2025 fishing year, including trip limits; existing trip limits would remain in place for 2025.
Many small businesses hold spiny dogfish permits; NMFS finds no significant economic harm
In 2023, 1,809 vessels held federal spiny dogfish permits owned by 1,343 commercial entities; 1,333 of those entities are classified as small businesses. NMFS certified that the proposed rule would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities and did not prepare an initial regulatory flexibility analysis.
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.
2026-20268, New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
The New England Fishery Management Council is holding a public meeting on October 16, 2026, to discuss important fishery rules that affect fishermen and communities in New England’s waters. They’ll review advice from experts about protecting fish species and plan meetings for next year. This meeting could lead to new fishing rules that impact how and when people fish, helping keep the ocean healthy and fishing sustainable.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-05031, Airworthiness Directives; Embraer S.A. Airplanes
The FAA wants to keep Embraer EMB-545 and EMB-550 airplanes safe by fixing a door lock sensor that can jam. They’re proposing regular tests and lubrication of the sensor to prevent problems. Owners should act soon, as comments are due by May 12, 2025, and these fixes might cost some time and money but keep flights safe and smooth.
Next: 2025-05104, Radio Broadcasting Services; Matador, Texas
The FCC wants to change some radio channels in Matador, Texas to fix interference problems with nearby stations. They’re swapping out two vacant channels for new ones that fit the rules better, with specific locations set for each. If you care about local radio, you’ve got until early May 2025 to share your thoughts—no big costs, just better airwaves!