New England Fishery Council Gears Up for Key Meeting
Published Date: 11/17/2025
Notice
Summary
The New England Fishery Management Council is holding a 3-day meeting from December 2-4, 2025, to discuss important updates and rules for New England fisheries. Fishermen, seafood businesses, and coastal communities will hear about fish stock reports, new fishing limits, and management plans that could affect how much fish can be caught and when. You can join in person in Newport, RI, or online, so don’t miss your chance to stay in the loop and have a say!
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 4 mixed.
Multi‑year Groundfish Specs Set
The Council will take final action on Framework Adjustment 72 to set specifications for several groundfish stocks for fishing years 2026–2030, including U.S./Canada total allowable catches (TACs) for 2026. If you fish or sell groundfish in the New England exclusive economic zone (EEZ), these multi‑year specs will determine allowable catch and management measures for 2026–2030.
Georges Bank Shared TACs Reviewed
The Council will review and consider approving Transboundary Management Guidance Committee (TMGC) recommendations for 2026 total allowable catches (TACs) for three shared U.S./Canada Georges Bank stocks: Eastern Georges Bank cod, Eastern Georges Bank haddock, and Georges Bank yellowtail flounder. If you fish those species, the 2026 TACs will directly determine how much of those species can be caught in U.S. waters.
Scallop 2026 Specs and Defaults Finalized
The Council will take final action on Scallop Committee Framework 40 to set 2026 scallop fishery specifications and 2027 default specifications, and will consider approval of the Scallop Strategic Plan. If you fish or sell Atlantic sea scallops, these actions will determine 2026 and default 2027 management rules for the scallop fishery.
Spiny Dogfish Measures for 2026–2027
The Council will discuss the Spiny Dogfish Committee’s framework including accountability measure modifications and 2026–2027 specifications and is expected to select preferred alternatives and take final action. If you harvest spiny dogfish, these changes will affect allowed catch and accountability measures for 2026 and 2027.
Whiting Fishery Monitoring and Review
The Council will receive a 2025 Monitoring Report from the Whiting Committee and review the 2024 whiting fishery. If you are involved in the whiting fishery, these reports inform management and may lead to future rule changes based on the 2024 and 2025 findings.
Hybrid Meeting and Public Participation
The Council meeting is a 3‑day hybrid event December 2–4, 2025, in Newport, RI, with webinar options and a public outreach session on December 2 and an open public comment period on December 4. The meeting is physically accessible and requests for sign language or other aids must be made at least 5 days before the meeting.
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Key Dates
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