NOAA Extends Online Portal for Government Ship Jobs

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.

2026-17016, Notice of Mission Authorization Pilot Program

Pursuant to Section 5 of Executive Order 14335, "Enabling Competition in the Commercial Space Industry," the Office of Space Commerce (OSC) seeks to implement a streamlined, unified, whole-of- government mission authorization framework for novel in-space activities. To refine this proposed Space Commerce Certification (SCC) framework, OSC is inviting expressions of interest from U.S. entities in participating in a pilot phase.

2026-17003, Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Fisheries Off West Coast States; Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery; 2025-2026 Biennial Specifications and Management Measures; Inseason Adjustments

This final rule announces routine inseason adjustments to management measures in commercial groundfish fisheries. These inseason adjustments will increase sablefish trip limits in the limited entry (LE) and open access (OA) sectors north and south of 36[deg] North latitude (N lat.), and reduce vermilion/sunset rockfish sub-trip limits within the shelf rockfish complex in the LE and OA sectors south of 34[deg]27' N lat. This action is intended to allow commercial fishing vessels to access more abundant groundfish stocks while protecting overfished and depleted stocks.

Previous: 2026-13623, United States et al. v. Live Nation Entertainment, Inc.; Proposed Final Judgment and Competitive Impact Statement

The government is making Live Nation and Ticketmaster play fair by breaking up some of their exclusive deals and letting artists, promoters, and venues use other ticket sellers. They’ll also cap fees, share data with artists, and sell some amphitheaters to boost competition. These changes start soon and will be watched closely to keep the music scene open and exciting for everyone.

Next: 2026-13626, Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Request for Duty-Free Entry of Scientific Instrument or Apparatus

The Department of Commerce is asking for approval to keep collecting info from nonprofits and government groups that want to bring in scientific instruments without paying import taxes. About 500 folks spend around 2 hours each filling out the form, helping the government decide if the equipment qualifies for duty-free entry. They’re giving the public 30 more days to share thoughts before finalizing this process—no new fees or big changes, just keeping things running smoothly.