New Rules Protect Northeast Fish Stocks with Updated Limits
Published Date: 3/9/2026
Rule
Summary
Starting March 9, 2026, new rules kick in for fishermen in the Northeast multispecies fishery, including groundfish sectors and recreational anglers. These changes update catch limits, protect overfished stocks like Georges Bank haddock, and make sure fishing is based on the latest science. The goal? Keep fish populations healthy while supporting fishing communities and businesses.
Analyzed Economic Effects
8 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.
GB Haddock Catch Limit Increased
Starting March 9, 2026, the acceptable biological catch (ABC) for Georges Bank (GB) haddock is set to 8,034 metric tons (mt). This produces a U.S. ABC of 2,180 mt and adds 567 mt allocated to the commercial fishery in western GB to increase sector flexibility.
2025 U.S./Canada Shared Quotas Set
For the 2025 fishing year, shared United States/Canada quotas are set: GB yellowtail flounder total shared quota is 7,410 mt with the U.S. quota 1,556 mt (21%) and Canada 5,854 mt (79%); eastern GB haddock total shared quota is 200 mt with the U.S. quota 96 mt (48%) and Canada 104 mt (52%).
Sector Plans Approved and ACE Allocated
NMFS approves 15 sector operations plans for fishing years 2025-2026 and allocates annual catch entitlements (ACE) to sectors for the 2025 fishing year based on final catch limits and rosters. These allocations are provided to sectors to reflect the Framework 69 specifications.
Management Uncertainty Buffer Removed for 2025
NMFS removes the management uncertainty buffer for each allocated groundfish stock for all sectors for the entirety of the 2025 fishing year because the at-sea monitoring (ASM) coverage target is set at 100 percent.
Common Pool Trip Limits and Possession Rules Updated
The rule revises common pool trip and possession limits by permit category for 2025. Key numeric limits include, for example, GOM cod at 25 lb (11.3 kg) per DAS up to 50 lb (22.7 kg) per trip for some permits, GB haddock limits (e.g., 1,000 lb per DAS up to 2,000 lb per trip for some permits), and a prohibition on possession of GB cod in the common pool. Handgear B trip limits may be set up to a maximum of 75 lb (34 kg) per trip.
Paperwork Cut: Permit Lists and Weekly Reports Removed
Framework 69 removes the rule requiring sectors to submit lists of Federal and State permits in operations plans and removes the requirement for sectors to submit weekly (or daily, if required) catch reports to NMFS. NMFS cites electronic reporting as providing needed data.
Recreational Bag Limits, Sizes, and Seasons Set
Recreational measures are set for Gulf of Maine (GOM) haddock and GOM cod for 2025: GOM haddock possession limit is 15 fish with a minimum size of 17 inches (43.2 cm) and open season May 1–February 28/29 and April 1–30; GOM cod possession limit is 1 fish with minimum size 23 inches (58.4 cm) and open season September 1–October 31.
Scallop Accountability Measure Thresholds Changed
Framework 69 permanently removes one of two catch thresholds for the scallop fishery's accountability measures (AMs) for GB yellowtail flounder and northern windowpane flounder so AMs would be implemented only if scallop catch exceeds its sub-ACL and the total ACL is also exceeded. This change applies to overages occurring in the 2025 fishing year.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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