Special Permits Sought to Use Skates as Scallop Bait
Published Date: 5/6/2026
Notice
Summary
Fishing boats in the Greater Atlantic Region might get special permission to try new ways of using skate fish as bait in scallop fishing. This means some usual fishing rules could be relaxed for these boats to help test new ideas. If you have thoughts, you’ve got until May 21, 2026, to share them—so don’t miss out!
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
LAGC scallop vessels may land bait skate
If you operate a federally permitted limited access general category (LAGC) scallop vessel, an exempted fishing permit could let participating vessels land whole skate under 23 inches while dredging in the NGOM, Georges Bank/Southern New England, and Mid-Atlantic areas. The project would cover 12 vessels, authorize up to 1,200 trips, allow a per-trip skate limit of 1,419 lbs (644 kg), run upon approval through March 31, 2027, and has a potential total ex-vessel value of about $425,700; operators expect to catch about 200–800 lb of skate per trip in practice.
Increased landings could affect skate quotas
The EFP could allow up to 1,702,800 lb (772 metric tons) of additional bait skate landings, which equals about 15 percent of the fishing year 2025 bait skate total allowable landings (TAL). If landings reach 90 percent of a seasonal quota or 80 percent of the annual TAL, skate bait trip limits would be reduced, though NMFS notes that in the past five years these additional landings would not have caused the 80 percent annual threshold to be reached.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
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.
2026-07536, Taking and Importing Marine Mammals; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Geophysical Surveys in the Gulf of America
Starting April 20, 2026, NOAA is setting new rules for companies doing geophysical surveys in the Gulf of America to protect marine mammals. These rules let companies get permission to accidentally disturb marine mammals but require them to minimize harm and report what they find. This plan lasts five years and helps balance ocean research with saving sea life.
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.
2026-20268, New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
The New England Fishery Management Council is holding a public meeting on October 16, 2026, to discuss important fishery rules that affect fishermen and communities in New England’s waters. They’ll review advice from experts about protecting fish species and plan meetings for next year. This meeting could lead to new fishing rules that impact how and when people fish, helping keep the ocean healthy and fishing sustainable.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-08816, Fisheries of the South Atlantic, Gulf and Caribbean; Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review; Public Meeting
Fishermen, seafood lovers, and coastal communities in the South Atlantic, Gulf, and Caribbean are invited to join a free online meeting on May 27, 2026, to review important fish population data. This meeting helps experts decide how to keep fish stocks healthy and fishing sustainable, which can affect fishing rules and local economies. The process is open to the public and aims to make sure everyone’s voice is heard before any big changes happen.
Next: 2026-08818, Agency Information Collection Activities; Renewal of an Approved Information Collection: Hazardous Materials Safety Permits
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration wants to renew a rule that helps keep hazardous materials shipments safe by requiring companies to track and record their shipments regularly. This affects companies with safety permits, who must keep communication records for at least six months. Comments on this plan are open until July 6, 2026, and there’s no new cost, just a continuation of current rules.