NOAA Seeks Feedback on Angler Surveys for Better Fish Management
Published Date: 1/22/2026
Notice
Summary
NOAA is asking for public feedback on their plan to keep surveying recreational fishers about their catches and fishing habits. This helps manage fish populations better and follows important fishing laws. Comments are open until March 23, 2026, and the survey process will continue with some updates but no big cost changes.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Continued Angler Intercept Surveys
If you fish recreationally at public-access coastal sites (from Maine to Alabama, plus Hawaii and Puerto Rico), NOAA will continue intercept surveys that ask about your just-completed day's fishing. NOAA estimates 100,000 respondents, about 5 minutes per intercepted angler, and 8,333 total annual burden hours; participation is voluntary and there is no monetary reporting cost. Comments on this collection are due March 23, 2026.
New 2026 Survey Questions Possible
Beginning in 2026, NOAA is developing potential additions to the APAIS intercept forms that would ask anglers about catch depredation and fishing location. These questions would be added to the on-site computer-assisted personal interviews (CAPI) used in the APAIS.
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.
2026-17126, Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; General Provisions for Domestic Fisheries; Application for Exempted Fishing Permits
The Assistant Regional Administrator for Sustainable Fisheries, Greater Atlantic Region, NMFS, has made a preliminary determination that an Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) application contains all of the required information and warrants further consideration. The EFP would allow federally permitted fishing vessels to fish outside fishery regulations in support of exempted fishing activities proposed by the Maine Department of Marine Resources (ME DMR). Regulations under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act require publication of this notification to provide interested parties the opportunity to comment on applications for proposed EFPs.
2026-17113, Fisheries of the South Atlantic; Commercial Closure for Blueline Tilefish in the South Atlantic
NMFS implements an accountability measure for the commercial harvest of blueline tilefish in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the South Atlantic. NMFS estimates that commercial landings of blueline tilefish will reach the commercial annual catch limit (ACL) for the 2026 fishing year. Accordingly, NMFS closes the commercial sector of blueline tilefish in the South Atlantic EEZ to protect the blueline tilefish resource from overfishing.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-01169, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute; Notice of Meeting
The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute is hosting two hybrid meetings on April 9-10, 2026, to get advice on sleep disorder research priorities and update the NIH Sleep Research Plan. Anyone interested can join in person or online but must register ahead of time. These meetings help shape future research funding and focus, affecting scientists, patients, and the public.
Next: 2026-01174, New Postal Products
The Postal Service has asked for approval of a new deal that changes how some mail services compete. This affects businesses and customers who use special postal products, with public comments open until January 27, 2026. The Postal Regulatory Commission is reviewing the request to keep things fair and transparent, so stay tuned for updates!