Feds Let Fishermen Catch More Sharks Thanks to Last Year's Leftovers

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 when and where shark fishing is allowed in the Mid-Atlantic and adjust boundaries off Charleston and East Florida to better protect sharks. Fishermen using bottom and pelagic longline gear with Atlantic HMS permits will need to pay for electronic monitoring if they fish in certain safer zones. These updates help keep shark populations healthy while making fishing smarter and fairer.

2026-09776 — Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to the Port of Adak Pier 5 Improvements Project at Adak Island, Alaska

The Aleut Corporation got permission to do construction work on Pier 5 at the Port of Adak, Alaska, which might accidentally bother some local marine mammals. This project runs for one year starting May 12, 2026, and includes rules to keep harm to animals as low as possible. It’s a big step to improve the port while protecting wildlife and respecting local needs.

2026-09665 — Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Notice of 12-Month Finding on a Petition to List Gulf of Alaska Chinook Salmon as Threatened or Endangered Under the Endangered Species Act

After a full review, NOAA decided that Gulf of Alaska Chinook salmon aren’t in danger of disappearing right now, so they won’t be listed as threatened or endangered. This means fishermen and communities can keep enjoying these salmon without new restrictions or costs for now. The decision was announced on May 14, 2026, and NOAA will keep watching to protect these fish if things change.

2026-09699 — North Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting

The North Pacific Fishery Management Council is holding a public meeting from June 9-11, 2026, to review the health of the Eastern Bering Sea Tanner crab population. This affects fishermen, seafood businesses, and communities relying on crab fishing, as the review could lead to changes in fishing rules. The meeting is in Seattle and requires advance registration, signaling careful planning and possible future impacts on crab fishing limits and local economies.

2026-09669 — Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Catcher/Processors Using Hook-and-Line Gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska

Starting May 12, 2026, fishing for Pacific cod using hook-and-line gear by catcher/processors in the Western Gulf of Alaska is temporarily closed to avoid going over the allowed catch limit for the season. This pause lasts until September 1, 2026, helping keep the fish population healthy and the fishing fair. Fishermen using this gear in this area need to plan around this closure to avoid penalties and support sustainable fishing.

2026-09617 — Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Omnibus Management Flexibility Amendment to New England Fishery Management Council Fishery Management Plans

The New England Fishery Management Council wants to make fishing rules more flexible and consistent across the Northeast. If approved, these changes will affect fishermen and fishery managers by simplifying some administrative steps without changing catch limits. You’ve got until July 13, 2026, to share your thoughts before the new rules could take effect.

Previous: 2026-08409 — Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; 2026 and 2027 Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Recreational Management Measures

Starting April 30, 2026, new fishing rules for summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass will help keep fish populations healthy by limiting how many recreational anglers can catch. These changes affect anyone who fishes for these species in the Northeastern U.S. and aim to prevent overfishing while keeping the fun going for 2026 and 2027. Anglers should watch for updated limits and be ready to follow new rules to protect our ocean friends.

Next: 2026-08423 — Radio Broadcasting Services; Enterprise, Orderville, and Page, Utah

The FCC is adding a new FM radio channel to Enterprise, Utah, giving the town a second local station, but applications to use it aren’t open yet. Meanwhile, two Arizona stations are moving their licenses to nearby Utah towns, Orderville and Big Water, bringing new local radio services there. These changes take effect June 8, 2026, and could shake up local radio options without any immediate costs for listeners or broadcasters.