Northeast Fish Limits Set: Flounder, Bass Rules for 2026-2027
Published Date: 2/19/2026
Rule
Summary
Starting February 19, 2026, new fishing rules set how much summer flounder, scup, black sea bass, and bluefish can be caught to keep these fish healthy and avoid overfishing. These rules affect fishermen and communities along the Northeastern U.S. coast and are based on the latest science. The changes help protect fish stocks now and into 2027, balancing fishing opportunities with conservation.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
2026 Catch Limits Adopted for Four Species
NMFS adopted 2026 (and projected 2027) catch limits for summer flounder, scup, black sea bass, and bluefish that become effective February 19, 2026. These specifications set stock-wide OFLs, ABCs, commercial and recreational ACLs and ACTs, commercial quotas, and recreational harvest limits to prevent overfishing based on the latest science.
State-by-State Summer Flounder Quotas Set
The rule sets final 2026 State-by-State commercial summer flounder quotas (coastwide commercial quota 12.78 million lb / 5,795 mt). State allocations are listed for Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina.
Bluefish Recreational ACL Overage Payback Applied
Because the bluefish recreational ACL was exceeded by 1.68 million lb (763 mt) in 2024, the final 2026 bluefish specifications include a payback adjustment applied in 2026. The adjustment is reflected in the 2026 recreational accountability measures and the 2026 RHL.
Bluefish Recreational Bag Limits Raised
The rule increases bluefish recreational possession limits by 2 fish: private recreational anglers may land up to 5 bluefish per day and anglers on for-hire (charter/party) vessels may land up to 7 bluefish per person per day, effective February 19, 2026. These limits reflect increased recreational harvest limits (RHLs) for 2026.
5% Black Sea Bass Commercial Closure Buffer
The black sea bass specifications include a 5-percent commercial in-season closure buffer for 2026 and 2027. The buffer is intended to provide flexibility so States and commercial fishers (including IFQ participants) can more fully harvest allocations before a coastwide closure is implemented.
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this federal register document and every other regulation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
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.
2026-10119 — Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Full Coverage Trawl Electronic Monitoring Fee Notice
If you own a trawl fishing vessel in Alaska’s full coverage electronic monitoring program, you’ll pay a tiny fee of 0.12% for the 2025 fishing season. This fee helps cover the cost of electronic monitoring instead of human observers and is due by May 31, 2026. It’s a smart way to keep fishing fair and data accurate while saving money overall.
2026-10096 — Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Prohibit Retention of Mobulid Rays in Fisheries for Atlantic Highly Migratory Species
Starting June 22, 2026, fishermen targeting Atlantic tunas, billfish, swordfish, and sharks can no longer keep mobulid rays if they catch them. Instead, they must release these rays carefully and unharmed, following new handling rules. This change helps protect mobulid rays and follows international agreements, with no big costs expected for fishers.
2026-10106 — Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to the Port of San Francisco Mission Bay Ferry Landing Project in San Francisco Bay, California
The Port of San Francisco got permission to do construction for the Mission Bay Ferry Landing in San Francisco Bay, which might bother some marine mammals nearby. This approval lasts for one year starting May 14, 2026, and includes rules to keep harm to animals as low as possible. The project helps improve ferry service but must carefully protect local sea life during work.
2026-10101 — Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Catcher/Processors Using Hook-and-Line Gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska
Starting May 18, 2026, catcher/processors using hook-and-line gear in the Central Gulf of Alaska must stop fishing for Pacific cod because they’ve hit their allowed catch limit for the season. This temporary closure lasts until September 1, 2026, helping protect fish stocks and keep the fishing fair. Fishermen affected should plan accordingly to avoid penalties and support sustainable fishing.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-03286 — Revocation of Regulations Regarding the Mutual Recognition of Pharmaceutical Good Manufacturing Practice Reports, Medical Device Quality System Audit Reports, and Certain Medical Device Product Evaluation Reports: United States and the European Community
Starting March 23, 2026, the FDA is canceling old rules that let the U.S. and European Union share certain drug and medical device inspection reports. These rules are outdated because a newer agreement from 2017 already covers this sharing. Companies making medicines and medical devices in both places should note this change, but it won’t add extra costs or delays.
Next: 2026-03297 — Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation of Pollock in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
The government is shifting some pollock fishing quotas from the Aleutian Islands to the Bering Sea because the Aleutian Islands won’t use all their share this year. This change helps make sure the total allowed pollock catch for 2026 gets fully fished. Fishermen in both areas will feel the impact, with the new rules running from February 19 to December 31, 2026.