# 2026-00479: Fishermen Free to Harvest Baby Surfclams in 2026

2026-00479, Atlantic Surfclam and Ocean Quahog Fisheries; 2026 Fishing Quotas for Atlantic Surfclams and Ocean Quahogs; and Suspension of Atlantic Surfclam Minimum Size Limit, is a Federal Register rule from Commerce Department, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration published 2026-01-13, effective 2026-01-13 (as of 2026-06-11).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-00479
- As of: 2026-06-11
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Document number: 2026-00479
- Title: Atlantic Surfclam and Ocean Quahog Fisheries; 2026 Fishing Quotas for Atlantic Surfclams and Ocean Quahogs; and Suspension of Atlantic Surfclam Minimum Size Limit
- Type: Rule
- Agencies: Commerce Department; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
- Citation: 91 FR 1255
- Published: 2026-01-13
- Effective: 2026-01-13
- Comments close: not stated
- Significant: no
- Touches household money: no
- Regulation identifier numbers: none
- Last updated: 2026-06-11

## In one line

Fishermen Free to Harvest Baby Surfclams in 2026

## Summary

Fishermen harvesting Atlantic surfclams and ocean quahogs can keep fishing with the same quotas as last year in 2026. Plus, the minimum size limit for Atlantic surfclams is suspended, meaning smaller clams can be caught this year. These changes keep the seafood supply steady without hurting the ocean, starting January 1 through December 31, 2026.

## Abstract

NMFS announces that the quotas for the Atlantic surfclam and ocean quahog fisheries for 2026 will remain status quo. NMFS also suspends the minimum size limit for Atlantic surfclams for the 2026 fishing year. Regulations for these fisheries require NMFS to notify the public of the allowable harvest levels for Atlantic surfclams and ocean quahogs from the Exclusive Economic Zone even if the previous year's quota specifications remain unchanged. The 2026 quotas were previously announced as projected values. This action confirms the final quotas are unchanged from those projections. This action continues to provide sustainable fishing opportunities to these fisheries.

## Effects PRIA read

- 2026 Clam Quotas Stay the Same: benefit, medium. If you fish commercially for Atlantic surfclams or ocean quahogs, the 2026 harvest limits remain unchanged: 3.4 million bushels (181 million L) for Atlantic surfclams, 5.36 million bushels (285 million L) for ocean quahogs, and 100,000 Maine bushels (3.52 million L) for Maine ocean quahogs. This ru…
- Atlantic Surfclam Minimum Size Suspended: benefit, medium. The default minimum shell length limit of 4.75 inches (121 mm) for Atlantic surfclams is suspended for the 2026 fishing year (January 1 through December 31, 2026), so smaller surfclams may be retained. NMFS based this suspension on 2025 commercial data showing 10.5 percent of landings were under 4.…

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## Sources
- [2026-00479 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/01/13/2026-00479/atlantic-surfclam-and-ocean-quahog-fisheries-2026-fishing-quotas-for-atlantic-surfclams-and-ocean)
- [2026-00479 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-01-13/pdf/2026-00479.pdf)

## Related
- [Previous: 2026-00454, Airworthiness Directives; Honda Aircraft Company LLC Airplanes](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-00454)
- [Next: 2026-00482, Service of Process; Address Change](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-00482)
- [All Federal Register documents](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-00479 (as of 2026-06-11).