New England Council to Discuss Atlantic Cod and Haddock Fishing Limits Virtually

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.

2026-20435, Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of America; Amendment 62

Starting October 2, 2026, new rules change how much red grouper fishermen in the Gulf of America can catch and how the catch is shared. Plus, the winter break for catching shallow-water grouper is gone, so anglers get more fishing days. These updates help keep fish healthy while giving fishermen and fish lovers better chances to enjoy the Gulf’s reef fishery.

Previous: 2026-00509, Notice of Realty Action: Noncompetitive (Direct) Sale of Public Land in Moffat County, CO

The Bureau of Land Management is selling 2.13 acres of public land in Moffat County, Colorado, to the county for at least $17,000. This sale fixes a long-standing mix-up where school buildings were built on federal land by mistake. If you want to share your thoughts, make sure to send comments by March 2, 2026!

Next: 2026-00512, Notice of Opportunity for Hearing on Compliance of Minnesota State Plan Provisions Concerning Program Integrity and Fraud, Waste, and Abuse With Title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act

Minnesota’s Medicaid program isn’t doing enough to stop fraud, waste, and abuse, so the federal government may hold back some funding until the state fixes these problems. Minnesota has 15 days to ask for a hearing to explain or challenge this decision. This means the state must step up its game to protect Medicaid money and follow the rules, or risk losing federal support.