Rock Shrimp Rules Up for Debate at Ocean Protection Meet
Published Date: 1/2/2026
Notice
Summary
The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council is meeting on January 23, 2026, to talk about new rules for rock shrimp fishing near the Oculina Bank, a special protected area. Fishermen, conservationists, and the public can join the online meeting or send comments from January 16 to 23. These changes could affect where and how shrimp fishing happens, helping protect important ocean habitats while balancing fishing interests.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Possible Rock Shrimp Access Rule Changes
The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council will consider Coral Amendment 11/Shrimp Amendment 12 that addresses a rock shrimp fishery access area in the Oculina Bank Habitat Area of Particular Concern. The Council may approve the amendment for submission to the Secretary of Commerce for review and final approval, which could change where and how rock shrimp fishing is allowed.
Public Webinar and Comment Window
The Council will hold a webinar meeting from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on January 23, 2026 (registration required). You can submit written public comments through the Council's online form from January 16, 2026 until January 23, 2026, and meeting materials will be posted on the Council website one week before the meeting.
Disability Access for Meeting Materials
The meetings are physically accessible to people with disabilities and requests for auxiliary aids must be directed to the council office at least 5 days before the meeting. This ensures people with disabilities can request accommodations for the January 23, 2026 webinar/meeting.
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.
2026-20268, 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 / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-24150, South Atlantic Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings
The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council is holding a two-day online meeting on January 28-29, 2026, to update important policies about fish habitats and ecosystems. This affects fishermen, environmental groups, and coastal communities by shaping how habitats are protected and managed, with no direct costs announced. They’ll also discuss how space activities off Florida might impact marine life and share updates on conservation projects.
Next: 2025-24152, Fisheries of the South Atlantic; Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review; Public Meeting
Fishermen, seafood lovers, and coastal communities, listen up! The government is holding a public online meeting on January 20, 2026, to check the health of South Atlantic red snapper fish. This review helps decide fishing rules to keep the fish population strong and fishing sustainable, which could affect how much fish can be caught and when.