NOAA Tweaks Cod and Haddock Catch Limits for Northeast Fishermen
Published Date: 6/3/2025
Rule
Summary
Fishermen in the Northeast who catch cod and haddock, listen up! This correction fixes the limits on how much Gulf of Maine cod you can keep and updates the 2025 catch numbers for Georges Bank haddock. These changes make sure everyone’s fishing by the right rules starting now, helping protect fish and your future catches.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
Gulf of Maine Cod Possession Limit Corrected
If you fish in the Northeast and catch Gulf of Maine cod, this document corrects the possession limit listed in table 13 of the temporary rule that published on May 2, 2025. The change fixes the listed limit so fishermen must follow the corrected possession amount when operating under the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan.
Georges Bank Haddock 2025 ABC Updated
If you fish Georges Bank haddock, this correction updates the fishing year 2025 U.S. acceptable biological catch (ABC) value that was projected in Framework Adjustment 66. The updated ABC replaces the previously published 2025 projection in the temporary rule that published on May 2, 2025.
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.
2026-20652, 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 / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-09893, National Performance Management Measures for Assessing Bridge Condition
The FHWA is stopping its plan to create new rules for checking bridge conditions. This means no new bridge assessment rules are coming soon, and the rule will be officially withdrawn by Spring 2025. States and local agencies won’t have to follow any new bridge condition rules or spend money on them right now.
Next: 2025-09952, Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Amendment 122 to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area; Pacific Cod Trawl Cooperative Program; Correction
Fishermen and processors in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands who catch Pacific cod are getting a clearer schedule on when they need to pay cost recovery fees. This update fixes confusing timing details and updates an old reference, making sure everyone knows exactly when and how fees apply. No new fees or changes to who pays—just smoother rules starting now.