NOAA Turns Accidental Alaska Catch Into Food Bank Meals
Published Date: 5/20/2026
Notice
Summary
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) renewed permits for SeaShare, a nonprofit that donates Pacific salmon and halibut caught accidentally during Alaska groundfish fishing. This means SeaShare can keep distributing these fish to food banks and hunger relief groups from May 2026 through May 2029. Fishermen, nonprofits, and food banks benefit, with no new costs but a continued boost to fighting hunger using fish that would otherwise go unused.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Fishermen: Donatable Bycatch Continues
If you are a fisherman (self-employed), you can continue to have Pacific salmon and Pacific halibut caught incidentally during groundfish trawl fishing in the Alaska exclusive economic zone donated through the SeaShare program from May 20, 2026 through May 21, 2029. This lets those incidentally caught fish be distributed to hunger relief organizations instead of being discarded, with no new costs under the renewed permits.
Food Banks Keep Receiving Donated Fish
If you run, work with, or rely on hunger relief agencies or food bank distributors, SeaShare is authorized to distribute Pacific salmon and Pacific halibut donated from incidental catches in Alaska groundfish trawl fisheries from May 20, 2026 through May 21, 2029. The renewed permits allow continued supply of donated fish to food banks and hunger relief groups without imposing new costs under the program.
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this federal register document and every other regulation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
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.
2026-10106 — Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to the Port of San Francisco Mission Bay Ferry Landing Project in San Francisco Bay, California
The Port of San Francisco got permission to do construction for the Mission Bay Ferry Landing in San Francisco Bay, which might bother some marine mammals nearby. This approval lasts for one year starting May 14, 2026, and includes rules to keep harm to animals as low as possible. The project helps improve ferry service but must carefully protect local sea life during work.
2026-10119 — Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Full Coverage Trawl Electronic Monitoring Fee Notice
If you own a trawl fishing vessel in Alaska’s full coverage electronic monitoring program, you’ll pay a tiny fee of 0.12% for the 2025 fishing season. This fee helps cover the cost of electronic monitoring instead of human observers and is due by May 31, 2026. It’s a smart way to keep fishing fair and data accurate while saving money overall.
2026-10101 — Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Catcher/Processors Using Hook-and-Line Gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska
Starting May 18, 2026, catcher/processors using hook-and-line gear in the Central Gulf of Alaska must stop fishing for Pacific cod because they’ve hit their allowed catch limit for the season. This temporary closure lasts until September 1, 2026, helping protect fish stocks and keep the fishing fair. Fishermen affected should plan accordingly to avoid penalties and support sustainable fishing.
2026-10096 — Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Prohibit Retention of Mobulid Rays in Fisheries for Atlantic Highly Migratory Species
Starting June 22, 2026, fishermen targeting Atlantic tunas, billfish, swordfish, and sharks can no longer keep mobulid rays if they catch them. Instead, they must release these rays carefully and unharmed, following new handling rules. This change helps protect mobulid rays and follows international agreements, with no big costs expected for fishers.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-10062 — U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS®) Advisory Committee Public Meeting
The U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) Advisory Committee is holding a virtual public meeting on June 16-17, 2026, to share updates and finalize important recommendations. This affects anyone interested in ocean and coastal data, including scientists, policymakers, and the public. No new funding is announced, but the meeting shapes future ocean observation efforts that help protect our coasts and marine life.
Next: 2026-10066 — Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection Renewal; Comment Request
The FDIC wants to renew its paperwork rules for businesses that provide services to banks. They’re asking for your thoughts on the current forms and info they collect, with no big changes or extra costs expected. If you want to speak up, make sure to send your comments by June 22, 2026!