# 2026-13153: NOAA Updates Atlantic Cod Catch Limits for 2026

2026-13153, Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act Provisions; Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Northeast Multispecies Fishery; Amendment 25 (Revised), is a Federal Register rule from Commerce Department, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration published 2026-06-30, effective 2026-06-30; PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-07-07).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-13153
- As of: 2026-07-07
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Document number: 2026-13153
- Title: Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act Provisions; Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Northeast Multispecies Fishery; Amendment 25 (Revised)
- Type: Rule
- Agencies: Commerce Department; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
- Citation: 91 FR 39529
- Published: 2026-06-30
- Effective: 2026-06-30
- Comments close: not stated
- Significant: no
- Touches household money: yes
- Regulation identifier numbers: 0648-BO26
- Last updated: 2026-07-07

## In one line

NOAA Updates Atlantic Cod Catch Limits for 2026

## Summary

Starting June 30, 2026, new rules update how Atlantic cod stocks are managed in the Northeast multispecies fishery. These changes affect both commercial and recreational fishers by setting fresh limits and protections to stop overfishing and help cod populations bounce back. The goal? Keep fishing fun and sustainable while supporting a $40 million industry.

## Abstract

NMFS implements regulations to incorporate revised Atlantic cod stock units into the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan (FMP), and set status determination criteria (SDC), specifications, and commercial and recreational management measures, for the four new cod stocks, as proposed. This action also sets other recreational cod measures necessary for the fishery. The purpose of this action is to prevent overfishing, ensure rebuilding, and help achieve optimum yield in the Northeast multispecies (groundfish) fisheries consistent with the status of the stocks and requirements of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act).

## Effects PRIA read

- Recreational cod size, limit, season: cost, medium. If you fish for cod recreationally, the rule sets a 23-inch (58.4 cm) minimum size, a one-fish possession limit, and an open season of September 1 through October 31 for WGOM, GB, and EGOM cod. For Southern New England (SNE) cod, recreational retention is prohibited (zero-fish possession) and the s…
- Commercial catch limits for 2026-2027: cost, high. Commercial fishers face new catch limits: for fishing year 2026 total ACLs are EGOM cod 37 mt, WGOM cod 436 mt, GB cod 101 mt, and SNE cod 34 mt. Projections for 2027 include EGOM cod 29 mt, WGOM cod 555 mt, and SNE cod 34 mt; GB cod 2027 limits are not set here.
- Recreational share allocations changed: benefit, medium. The rule creates recreational sub-ACLs and allocates 27.5% of the WGOM cod ABC to the recreational fishery and allocates 73.5% of the SNE cod ABC to the recreational fishery (after accounting for State and other Federal fisheries). These allocations affect how much of each stock is reserved for ang…
- No carryover of 2025 cod quota: cost, medium. Sectors may not carry over unused 2025 Gulf of Maine (GOM) and Georges Bank (GB) cod annual catch entitlements (ACE) into fishing year 2026. The rule prohibits carrying over 2025 GOM/GB cod quota because unused ACE from the old two-stock structure cannot be fairly assigned to the new four-stock are…
- Common pool trip limits and SNE ban: cost, medium. Common pool vessels face specific daily and trip possession limits for 2026: EGOM and GB cod up to 25 lb (11 kg) per DAS and up to 25–50 lb per trip depending on permit; WGOM cod 50 lb per DAS (up to 100 lb per trip) for some permits and lower for others. Possession of SNE cod by common pool vessel…
- WGOM commercial apportionment method: mixed, medium. The WGOM commercial groundfish sub-ACL is divided into a northern portion (68%) and a southern portion (32%) to reflect areas formerly in the GOM and GB stock areas. Existing Gulf of Maine and Georges Bank sector potential sector contributions (PSCs) are applied to the northern and southern portion…
- Trimester TAC closures at 90% threshold: cost, medium. Common pool Trimester TAC Areas will close to common pool vessels using trawl, gillnet, or longline/hook gear when common pool catch is projected to reach 90% of the Trimester TAC for that stock. Trimester TAC distributions are set (for example, EGOM 80/10/10 by trimester).
- Management uncertainty buffers (5–7%): cost, low. Management uncertainty buffers apply to the new cod stocks: recreational sub-ACLs get a 7% buffer and commercial sub-ACLs generally get a 5% buffer; the GB cod buffer for fishing year 2026 is set at 5%. Sector buffers can be removed under a 100% at-sea monitoring coverage target except for SNE cod.

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## Sources
- [2026-13153 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/06/30/2026-13153/magnuson-stevens-fishery-conservation-and-management-act-provisions-fisheries-of-the-northeastern)
- [2026-13153 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-06-30/pdf/2026-13153.pdf)

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Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-13153 (as of 2026-07-07).