Zoom In on Samoa Bottomfish: Fishery Meeting Calls Experts

2026-14204, Lake Ontario National Marine Sanctuary; Delay of Effective Date

NOAA is giving everyone more time before the rule that bans grappling or anchoring on Lake Ontario shipwrecks kicks in. Instead of starting in July 2026, this rule is now delayed until September 2028 to let NOAA set up mooring buoys and work with divers and boaters. This means boaters and commercial vessels can keep anchoring safely while NOAA gets everything ready without rushing.

2026-14195, Rescinding the Definition of “Harm” Under the Endangered Species Act

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration are wiping away the official definition of “harm” under the Endangered Species Act starting September 14, 2026. This change affects anyone involved in protecting endangered plants and animals by shifting how “harm” is understood and enforced. It’s a big move that could change how projects and protections are handled, but no new costs or deadlines are added right now.

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.

2026-16870, Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; North Atlantic Swordfish, South Atlantic Swordfish, North Atlantic Albacore, and Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Quotas

In this final rule, NMFS is implementing binding recommendations of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) on quotas for North Atlantic swordfish, South Atlantic swordfish, North Atlantic albacore tuna (northern albacore), and Atlantic bluefin tuna, including aspects of the management procedures for North Atlantic swordfish and northern albacore. For bluefin tuna, this action implements the increased U.S. baseline quota adopted by ICCAT in 2025, dividing it among the established regulatory domestic subquota categories, and implements changes to the bluefin tuna quota associated with pelagic longline bycatch adopted by ICCAT in 2025. Finally, this action transfers 30.8 metric tons (mt) of bluefin tuna quota from the Longline category to the Reserve category and temporarily adjusts the baseline quotas for U.S. North and South Atlantic swordfish, northern albacore, and the Atlantic bluefin tuna Reserve category for 2026 based on 2025 underharvests and applicable international quota transfers.

2026-16758, Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Ferndale Pier Maintenance Activities in Ferndale, Washington

In accordance with the regulations implementing the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), as amended, notification is hereby given that NMFS has issued a renewal incidental harassment authorization (IHA) to Petrogas Pacific, LLC (Petrogas) to harass marine mammals incidental to Ferndale Pier Maintenance Activities in Ferndale, Washington.

Previous: 2026-08728, National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP); Assistance to Private Sector Property Insurers, Notice of FY 2027 Arrangement

FEMA is inviting private insurance companies to join the National Flood Insurance Program’s Write Your Own (WYO) Program for Fiscal Year 2027. These companies can sell and manage flood insurance policies under their own names with financial help from FEMA. Interested insurers need to sign up by September 2, 2026, to get involved and help protect homes from flood damage.

Next: 2026-08730, Notice of Request for Comment on an Exposure Draft Titled Embedded Leases Practical Expedient

The Federal Accounting Standards Advisory Board wants your thoughts on a new rule about 'embedded leases'—those sneaky lease agreements hidden inside bigger contracts. This change affects federal agencies and could make accounting simpler and clearer, possibly saving time and money. You’ve got until July 30, 2026, to share your ideas and help shape the final rule!