Feds Reel in New Rules to Save Atlantic Cod Stocks
Published Date: 1/13/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
The government is updating rules to better protect Atlantic cod in the Northeastern U.S. fishing waters. This change affects fishermen and communities relying on cod, aiming to use the latest science to keep cod populations healthy. Comments on these updates are open until March 16, 2026, so everyone has a chance to weigh in before new rules take effect.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 1 mixed.
Atlantic cod redefined into four stocks
The Council proposes changing how Atlantic cod are managed from two stocks to four named stocks: Eastern Gulf of Maine (EGOM), Western Gulf of Maine (WGOM), a revised Georges Bank (GB), and Southern New England (SNE). The rule lists the statistical reporting areas (SRAs) that make up each new stock area and would keep the overall geographic area managed under the plan unchanged.
Commercial catch rules and trip limits set
The revised amendment includes commercial management measures such as an apportionment method for the WGOM commercial sub-annual catch limit, common pool trimester total allowable catch (TAC) distributions, TAC closure areas, and baseline common pool trip limits, and specifications for the four cod stocks for fishing year 2026. These measures would be used to prevent overfishing and ensure accountability under the Magnuson-Stevens Act.
Recreational catch limits and measures added
The amendment would establish recreational sub-annual catch limits for Western Gulf of Maine (WGOM) and Southern New England (SNE) cod, adopt recreational measures for SNE cod, and set a regulatory process for the Regional Administrator to set recreational measures for Georges Bank (GB) and Eastern Gulf of Maine (EGOM) cod for fishing year 2026. These are intended to help prevent overfishing and provide accountability.
Allocation analysis added (Appendix III)
The Council added Appendix III to the revised Amendment 25 to provide a transparent analysis of the potential allocation impacts of defining four cod stocks. The appendix supports Council decision-making about how allocations among sectors might change under the new four-stock structure.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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