New England Fishery Council Schedules Three Days of Policy Talk
Published Date: 6/16/2025
Notice
Summary
The New England Fishery Management Council is holding a three-day meeting from June 24-26, 2025, to discuss important updates and plans for managing New England fisheries. Fishermen, seafood businesses, and coastal communities will be affected by potential changes aimed at boosting American seafood competitiveness and easing fishing rules. You can join in person in Maine or online, so don’t miss your chance to have a say!
Analyzed Economic Effects
7 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 5 mixed.
Omnibus review to ease fishing rules
At the June 24-26, 2025 meeting the Council will discuss Executive Order 14276, 'Restoring American Seafood Competitiveness,' and will initiate an omnibus action to evaluate measures aimed at reducing regulatory burdens. The Council will consider management flexibility topics such as specification frequency, rollover provisions, and in-season adjustment authority.
Scallop 2026 specifications and 2027 defaults
On June 25, 2025 the Council will initiate Framework Adjustment 40 to develop specifications for the scallop 2026 fishing year and to establish 2027 default measures. The Council will also consider additional management measures tied to the scallop fishery.
Review of Scallop IFQ and RSA processes
The Council will review the Limited Access General Category Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) Program and receive updates to the Scallop Research Set-Aside (RSA) Program process during the June 25, 2025 meeting. These reviews may lead to changes in quota allocation or research set-aside procedures for scallop participants.
Groundfish specs and U.S./Canada TAC for FY2026
On June 25, 2025 the Council will initiate Framework Adjustment 72 to set specifications for groundfish stocks for FY2026-2028 and to establish the U.S./Canada Total Allowable Catch (TAC) for FY 2026. The Council will also review groundfish priorities with particular focus on Atlantic cod and options for transitioning cod stocks within the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan.
Possible new gear-marking framework
On June 26, 2025 the Council will receive updates on a gear-marking framework under development that would allow the use of fixed gear without persistent buoy lines in New England and Mid-Atlantic fisheries. If adopted, this framework would change marking requirements for fixed gear users.
Scoping for whale take reduction plan revisions
GARFO staff will provide an overview of the Notice of Intent and public scoping process for revisions to the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan during the June 26, 2025 meeting. This scoping may lead to future rule changes intended to reduce whale takes that could affect fishing operations.
Spiny dogfish accountability and 2026-27 specs
The Council will consider a joint action with the Mid-Atlantic Council on spiny dogfish that includes a framework to modify accountability measures and the possibility of merging 2026-2027 specifications. These actions could change management rules for the spiny dogfish fishery.
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