Alaska Bans Dusky Rockfish Catch as Limits Hit Hard
Published Date: 7/18/2025
Rule
Summary
Starting now, fishermen can’t target dusky rockfish in the West Yakutat area of the Gulf of Alaska to keep the fish population safe and avoid going over the 2025 catch limit. This means fishing businesses in that area need to adjust their plans to follow the new rules. The goal is to protect the dusky rockfish so they’ll be around for years to come.
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
West Yakutat Dusky Rockfish Ban
You cannot target (directed fish for) dusky rockfish in the West Yakutat District of the Gulf of Alaska starting now. The rule was put in place to prevent exceeding the 2025 total allowable catch for dusky rockfish, so fishing businesses in that area must change their plans and fishing activities.
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.
2026-17500, Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Monkfish; Framework Adjustment 17
Through this action, NMFS is implementing specifications and management measures in Framework Adjustment 17 to the Monkfish Fishery Management Plan (FMP). This action sets monkfish specifications for fishing year 2026, projects specifications for fishing years 2027 and 2028, streamlines the Annual Catch Limit (ACL) Overage Accountability Measure (AM) trigger, and adds default specifications for the monkfish fishery. This action is necessary to respond to updated scientific information and achieve the goals and objectives of the FMP. These measures are intended to help prevent overfishing and ensure that management measures are based on the best scientific information available.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-13516, Subsistence Management Regulations for Public Lands in Alaska-2025-26 and 2026-27 Subsistence Taking of Fish and Shellfish Regulations
This rule updates the rules for fishing and shellfish gathering in Alaska for 2025-2027, making sure subsistence users know when, how much, and what methods they can use. It affects people who rely on fish and shellfish for their daily needs, with some changes to hunting rules for the Nelchina caribou herd too. These updates keep things fair and clear, with new deadlines and management powers kicking in soon.
Next: 2025-13561, Resolution of Federal Tax Controversies by the Independent Office of Appeals; Correction
This update fixes some errors in earlier rules about how the IRS Independent Office of Appeals handles tax disagreements. If you’re dealing with a tax dispute, these corrections make the process clearer and fairer. The changes don’t cost you extra money but help speed up how your case gets sorted.