New England Fishery Council Schedules Summer Rule Review
Published Date: 6/4/2026
Notice
Summary
The New England Fishery Management Council is holding a 3-day meeting from June 23-25, 2026, to discuss important changes affecting fishing rules in New England waters. Fishermen, businesses, and communities depending on these fisheries should pay attention, as decisions could impact fishing limits and monitoring programs, possibly affecting costs and operations. You can join in person or online to share your thoughts and stay informed.
Analyzed Economic Effects
8 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 5 costs, 2 mixed.
Possible End to Herring Monitoring
The Council will consider a NOAA request to evaluate rescinding the Atlantic herring Industry-Funded Monitoring (IFM) Program during its June 23-25, 2026 meeting. If rescinded, the IFM change could affect monitoring requirements and costs for fishermen and businesses that participate in the Atlantic herring fishery.
Review of Vessel Baseline Restrictions
The Council will receive an update on Executive Order 14276, including evaluation of vessel baseline restrictions across New England and Mid-Atlantic limited access fisheries at the June 23-25, 2026 meeting. Changes to vessel baseline restrictions could alter which vessels qualify for limited access programs and affect fishing operations.
Atlantic Herring Specs for 2027-2031
The Council may initiate action to set Atlantic herring specifications for fishing years 2027-2031 during the June 23-25, 2026 meeting. Decisions on herring specifications can change catch limits and affect fishing opportunities and revenues for vessels and businesses that target Atlantic herring.
Scallop Specs, NGOM Units, and DAS Rules
The Council may initiate Framework Adjustment 42 to set Atlantic sea scallop specifications for fishing years 2027 and 2028, develop sub-management units in the Northern Gulf of Maine (NGOM), and consider regional allocations of Limited Access Days-at-Sea (DAS) with carryover analysis. These actions can change how scallop effort and catch are allocated and affect operations of scallop vessels and businesses.
Groundfish Specs and U.S./Canada TACs
The Council may initiate Framework Adjustment 74 to set groundfish specifications for fishing years 2027-2031 and establish U.S./Canada Total Allowable Catch (TAC) levels for fishing years 2027/2028. These choices can change allowable catches and affect groundfish-dependent businesses.
Small-Mesh (Whiting) Stock Specifications
The Council may update or initiate action to set specifications for small-mesh multispecies (whiting) stocks for fishing years 2027-2031 during the June 23-25, 2026 meeting. Changes to small-mesh specifications can affect catch limits and operations for vessels targeting whiting.
Research Set-Aside Priorities for 2027/2028
The Council will select research set-aside (RSA) priorities for 2027/2028 during the meeting. RSA choices allocate a portion of fishery resources to research, which can reduce the quota available to commercial fishermen and businesses in those years.
Risk Policy Weighting Affects Future Rules
The Council will take final action on the Risk Policy Concept and approve global factor weights for applying the Risk Policy during the June 23-25, 2026 meeting. The chosen weights will guide how the Council balances risk factors when making fisheries management decisions that can affect fishing limits and operations.
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Key Dates
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