Cornell Seeks Special Fishing Passes for Monkfish Experiments
Published Date: 4/2/2026
Notice
Summary
Fishing boats with federal permits might get special permission to fish monkfish in 2026 and 2027 beyond usual rules, thanks to a research project by Cornell University. This lets them test new fishing methods while following safety rules. If you have thoughts, speak up by April 17, 2026, because this could change how some fishermen work and impact fishing days at sea.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Exemptions from Monkfish Trip Limits
If you own a federally permitted fishing vessel, the proposed Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) would let participating vessels fish without the usual monkfish trip limits in the Northern and Southern Fishery Management Areas. The EFP requests exemptions from 50 CFR 648.94(b)(1) and 50 CFR 648.94(b)(2) to allow RSA days-at-sea (DAS) fishing with no trip limit.
Allocation and Use of Specific RSA DAS
The EFP would authorize use of 186 unused 2023-awarded monkfish RSA days-at-sea (DAS) in fiscal year 2026, to expire April 30, 2027, and would make unused 2024-awarded RSA DAS available in fiscal year 2027 to expire April 30, 2028. The project lists a total of 186 FY2026 RSA DAS and approximately 75 FY2027 RSA DAS for the research activity.
Incentive to Purchase and Fish Under RSA DAS
The notice states that allowing exemptions from monkfish landing limits provides an incentive for vessels to purchase and fish under Monkfish RSA DAS so they can catch more monkfish per trip. The EFP narrative says waiving landing limits increases operational efficiency and optimizes research funds generated from the Monkfish RSA Program.
Annual Monkfish RSA DAS and Harvest Cap
The Monkfish RSA Program is allocated 500 monkfish RSA days-at-sea (DAS) annually. The notice associates twice the landing limit for Permit Category A and C in the Southern Fishery Management Area as 4,074 pounds (1,847.9 kg) whole weight per RSA DAS, and states an annual maximum of 2,037,000 pounds (923,967.66 kg) whole weight may be harvested under Monkfish RSA.
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