New England Fishermen Seek Flexible Rules for Changing Seas
Published Date: 5/14/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
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 how rules are applied, making it easier to adapt to new situations. You have until July 13, 2026, to share your thoughts before any money or rule changes take effect.
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 6 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Set Fishery Specifications Up to Five Years
The Council proposes allowing fishery specifications to be set for up to 5 years across all its fishery management plans. This change is intended to give managers more flexibility when stock assessments and data updates are uncertain.
New Specification Process for Two FMPs
The Council recommends adding a consistent specification setting process for the Northeast Multispecies and Monkfish fishery management plans so specifications would no longer require a framework adjustment or amendment. This is meant to streamline how specifications are developed in those two FMPs.
In-Season Adjustment Authority Expanded
The Amendment would add a provision to allow in-season adjustment authority across all Council fishery management plans and expand the use of in-season adjustments beyond what the Atlantic Herring FMP currently allows. Any adjustments must be consistent with each FMP's objectives and provisions.
Add Status Criteria for Skate Complex
The Council recommends adding status determination criteria to the list of measures for the Northeast Skate Complex fishery management plan. Those criteria could be adjusted through the specifications setting process or by framework adjustment.
Remove Certain Annual Review and Report Rules
The Council recommends removing annual plan development team review and report requirements for the Monkfish and Northeast Skate Complex FMPs, and removing the annual review/report requirement for the small-mesh multispecies fishery component. The Council says this change is not intended to prevent prioritizing such reviews in the future.
Add Items to Framework Adjustment Lists
The Council recommends adding Specification Frequency, Specification Setting Process, In-Season Adjustment Authority, and Annual Review/Report to the list of framework adjustment items for these FMPs: Northeast Multispecies (including small-mesh), Atlantic Sea Scallop, Monkfish, Atlantic Herring, Northeast Skate Complex, and Atlantic Deep-Sea Red Crab.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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