Alaska Trawlers Face New Monitoring Fee Rate
Published Date: 5/20/2026
Notice
Summary
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.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 2 costs, 2 mixed.
0.12% Trawl EM Fee for 2025
If you own a trawl fishing vessel in Alaska's full coverage Trawl Electronic Monitoring (EM) Program, you owe a fee equal to 0.12% of the ex-vessel value of your 2025 pollock landings. That fee was used to calculate invoices for the 2025 fishing season and must be paid to NMFS on or before May 31, 2026.
Standard Pollock Price: $0.15/lb
NMFS published a standard ex-vessel price for pollock of $0.15 per pound for 2025. NMFS uses that standard price (and reported volume/value data) in the calculation process for the trawl EM fee percentage.
Full vs. Partial Coverage Fee Difference
Only vessels placed in the full coverage Trawl EM category are subject to the 0.12% trawl EM fee announced here; vessels in the partial coverage category pay their monitoring fee through the North Pacific Observer Program fee (per standard prices published December 30, 2025).
Nonpayment or Compliance Can Bar Participation
NMFS can disallow a vessel's participation in the Trawl EM Program for reasons such as compliance issues or non-payment of fees. If disallowed, a vessel would not remain in the Trawl EM Program for that calendar year.
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.
2026-05599, 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.
2026-17126, Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; General Provisions for Domestic Fisheries; Application for Exempted Fishing Permits
The Assistant Regional Administrator for Sustainable Fisheries, Greater Atlantic Region, NMFS, has made a preliminary determination that an Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) application contains all of the required information and warrants further consideration. The EFP would allow federally permitted fishing vessels to fish outside fishery regulations in support of exempted fishing activities proposed by the Maine Department of Marine Resources (ME DMR). Regulations under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act require publication of this notification to provide interested parties the opportunity to comment on applications for proposed EFPs.
2026-17113, Fisheries of the South Atlantic; Commercial Closure for Blueline Tilefish in the South Atlantic
NMFS implements an accountability measure for the commercial harvest of blueline tilefish in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the South Atlantic. NMFS estimates that commercial landings of blueline tilefish will reach the commercial annual catch limit (ACL) for the 2026 fishing year. Accordingly, NMFS closes the commercial sector of blueline tilefish in the South Atlantic EEZ to protect the blueline tilefish resource from overfishing.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-10118, Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Commodity Flow Survey (CFS)
The Census Bureau is asking for public feedback on bringing back the Commodity Flow Survey with some updates. This survey helps track how goods move across the U.S., affecting businesses that ship products. Comments are open until July 20, 2026, and the survey supports better planning without adding extra costs to participants.
Next: 2026-10121, Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
The USDA wants your thoughts on new rules for states running SNAP, the food help program. States must tell USDA about big changes like closing offices or using more tech, so the program stays fair and works well. You’ve got until June 22, 2026, to share your ideas—no extra costs for you, just a chance to help shape the future!