Scallop Council Webinar Sets Fishing Limits for 2026
Published Date: 11/18/2025
Notice
Summary
The New England Fishery Management Council is holding a webinar on November 20, 2025, to decide new rules for scallop fishing in the region. These rules will affect fishermen by setting catch limits, fishing days, and area access for 2026 and 2027. The meeting will also review a long-term plan and set priorities to keep the scallop fishery healthy and fair.
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 6 mixed.
FW40 sets 2026–2027 scallop specs
On November 20, 2025 the Scallop Committee will consider Framework 40 (FW40), which will set fishery specifications for fishing year 2026 and default specifications for 2027. FW40 includes items such as the overfishing limit, acceptable biological catch (ABC) / annual catch limit (ACL), and other allocation choices that will affect scallop fishing rules.
Days-at-sea for 2026 decided
The Committee will select days-at-sea (DAS) specifications for fishing year 2026. Changes to DAS decide how many days vessels can fish, which affects how much fishing activity and catch a vessel can take in 2026.
Access area allocations for Limited Access vessels
FW40 will include decisions on access area allocations for Limited Access vessels that determine which vessels can fish in specific areas. Those allocation choices affect where Limited Access permit holders can operate in 2026 and set defaults for 2027.
LAGC IFQ quota and trip allocations
FW40 will set quota and access area trip allocations to the Limited Access General Category (LAGC) Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) component for fishing year 2026. These allocations determine how much quota and how many trips LAGC IFQ participants may use in 2026 and set defaults for 2027.
Northern Gulf of Maine Total Allowable Landings
FW40 will set the Total Allowable Landings (TAL) for the Northern Gulf of Maine management area for fishing year 2026. The TAL sets how much scallop landings are allowed in that specific management area for 2026 and establishes defaults for 2027.
LAGC incidental catch TAC and set-asides
FW40 will set a target-Total Allowable Catch (TAC) for LAGC incidental catch and include set-asides for the observer and research programs for fishing year 2026. These set-asides and the incidental TAC are part of the 2026 specifications and defaults for 2027.
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.
2026-05599, 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.
2026-16870, Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; North Atlantic Swordfish, South Atlantic Swordfish, North Atlantic Albacore, and Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Quotas
In this final rule, NMFS is implementing binding recommendations of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) on quotas for North Atlantic swordfish, South Atlantic swordfish, North Atlantic albacore tuna (northern albacore), and Atlantic bluefin tuna, including aspects of the management procedures for North Atlantic swordfish and northern albacore. For bluefin tuna, this action implements the increased U.S. baseline quota adopted by ICCAT in 2025, dividing it among the established regulatory domestic subquota categories, and implements changes to the bluefin tuna quota associated with pelagic longline bycatch adopted by ICCAT in 2025. Finally, this action transfers 30.8 metric tons (mt) of bluefin tuna quota from the Longline category to the Reserve category and temporarily adjusts the baseline quotas for U.S. North and South Atlantic swordfish, northern albacore, and the Atlantic bluefin tuna Reserve category for 2026 based on 2025 underharvests and applicable international quota transfers.
2026-16758, Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Ferndale Pier Maintenance Activities in Ferndale, Washington
In accordance with the regulations implementing the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), as amended, notification is hereby given that NMFS has issued a renewal incidental harassment authorization (IHA) to Petrogas Pacific, LLC (Petrogas) to harass marine mammals incidental to Ferndale Pier Maintenance Activities in Ferndale, Washington.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-20170, New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
The New England Fishery Management Council is holding a public meeting on November 19, 2025, to decide new rules for scallop fishing in 2026 and 2027. This affects fishermen and businesses in New England’s fishing zone by setting catch limits, fishing days, and area access. The meeting will help protect scallops while supporting the fishing community’s future.
Next: 2025-20172, Caribbean Fishery Management Council 188th Public Hybrid Meeting
The Caribbean Fishery Management Council is holding its 188th meeting on December 3-4, 2025, both in person in St. Thomas and online. Fishers, local businesses, and communities will hear updates on fishing rules, science reports, and plans for 2026 that could affect how and when they fish. This meeting sets the stage for important decisions that might impact fishing limits and local economies soon.