Nine Firms Greenlit for Northeast Fish Catch Tracking
Published Date: 4/8/2026
Notice
Summary
Starting May 1, 2026, nine approved companies will provide catch monitoring services for the Northeast Multispecies Fishery through April 30, 2027. Fishing sectors must use these approved providers to track their catch, ensuring fair and accurate fishing practices. This update keeps the fishery running smoothly and helps protect fish populations while supporting industry-funded monitoring.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 3 costs, 1 mixed.
Nine Approved Catch Monitors for 2026
If you operate in the Northeast multispecies fishing sectors, NMFS approved nine companies to provide at-sea (ASM) and/or electronic (EM) catch monitoring services effective May 1, 2026 through April 30, 2027. Sectors must contract with NMFS-approved providers to meet the industry-funded catch-monitoring requirement for fishing year 2026.
Annual Updates Required to Keep Approval
Service providers that were previously approved do not need to submit a full application for 2026 if they continue to meet performance standards, but they must submit required updated information annually — including an updated Emergency Action Plan, evidence of adequate insurance coverage, and any updates to staffing or operations — to maintain approval for fishing year 2026.
Insurance Renewal Must Be Submitted
All approved companies provided proof of insurance as part of their application, and any company whose insurance policy expires before the end of the 2026 fishing year must submit updated insurance documents at the time their policy expires to maintain approval for fishing year 2026 (May 1, 2026–April 30, 2027).
MREM Dockside Monitoring Not Solicited for 2026
NMFS did not solicit applications to provide dockside monitoring services related to the maximized retention EM (MREM) program; the MREM program was suspended in fishing years 2024 and 2025 and NMFS is considering whether to operate the program in 2026. This means there is no current solicitation for dockside MREM providers for 2026.
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