New Jersey Hands Bluefish Quota to North Carolina Fishermen

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: 2025-18912, Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Scup Fishery; Adjustment to the 2025 Winter II Quota

The government is changing the 2025 Winter II scup fishing limits to use leftover quota from Winter I. This means commercial fishers can catch a bit more scup during Winter II, helping them make the most of their fishing season. These changes kick in soon and aim to keep fishing fair and balanced without extra costs.

Next: 2025-18914, Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources of the Gulf and Atlantic Region; Re-Opening of Commercial Harvest for Atlantic Spanish Mackerel in the Northern Zone

Good news for commercial fishermen! The Atlantic northern zone is reopening for Spanish mackerel fishing for 8 more days thanks to extra quota transferred from the southern zone. This means more chances to catch and sell Spanish mackerel during the 2025-2026 season without going over limits.