U.S. Tightens Rules to Save Pacific Tunas and Sea Turtles
Published Date: 7/7/2026
Rule
Summary
Starting July 7, 2026, new rules will help protect tropical tunas like bigeye, yellowfin, and skipjack in the eastern Pacific Ocean. These changes affect fishing boats and aim to keep tuna populations healthy while also protecting sea turtles. The U.S. is stepping up to meet international agreements, balancing fishing with conservation without big cost surprises.
Analyzed Economic Effects
7 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 3 costs, 2 mixed.
Purse Seine Closure Cut by 8 Days
Starting July 7, 2026, the required purse seine closure in the eastern Pacific drops from 72 days to 64 days (an 8-day reduction). NMFS estimates each extra fishing day can be worth an average of $56,000 to $73,000 per large U.S. purse seine vessel (average $65,000/day), and 18 large U.S. vessels could gain about $1.0 million to $1.3 million in extra ex-vessel revenue per additional day; U.S. landings could increase by up to 5,740 metric tons per year.
One-Time Fleet Tagging Fee
Owners of class size 4–6 U.S. purse seine vessels must pay a one-time assessed contribution of $6.16 per cubic meter of well capacity to the IATTC; payment was due by June 30, 2026 (or prior to inclusion on the Regional Vessel Register for vessels entering after January 15, 2026). NMFS estimates the one-time fee totals $185,447 for the entire U.S. large purse seine fleet.
Extra Closure Days If You Catch Too Much Bigeye
Purse seine vessels that exceed specified annual bigeye tuna catch levels must observe additional closure days in the following year. The rule sets catch thresholds and extra days: exceeding 1,200 mt → +10 days; 1,500 mt → +13 days; 1,800 mt → +16 days; 2,100 mt → +19 days; 2,400 mt → +22 days.
Class 4 Vessels Can Pick Their 64 Days
Class size 4 purse seine vessels must observe a 64-consecutive-day closure but are allowed to select the timing of that closure at any time of the year; class 4 vessels are no longer eligible to request a force majeure exemption for closure days. Notification deadlines: class 4 vessels must email their chosen closure at least 30 days before the start of closure; class 5–6 vessels must notify by May 15 of the relevant year.
New and Expanded FAD Reporting Rules
Vessel owners/operators must record daily buoy location and acoustic data for all Active Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs), including whether the echosounder is on or off, and submit monthly reports no later than 90 days after the month covered. Vessels can also enter FAD recovery data directly into the IATTC online database as an alternative to the paper form.
Sea Turtle Handling and Reporting Requirements
Purse seine vessels must carry safe handling tools (e.g., dip nets meeting Sec. 660.712(b)(3) design), promptly release sea turtles entangled in FADs, and record all sea turtle interactions in the logbook including: number of turtles, date, latitude/longitude, gear type, species ID, size, and capture/release condition. NMFS estimates reporting sea turtle interactions will average 3 minutes per form.
Speedboat Requirement Removed; Safety Emphasized
The old regulatory requirement that purse seine vessels station speedboats near the net to assist in releasing sea turtles is removed; instead the rule requires safe release and updated net-roll procedures (e.g., haul net over turntable to 2 meters and move main boom) to improve human safety and turtle release outcomes.
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.
2026-13684 — Pribilof Islands Administration; Dogs Prohibited
Starting August 6, 2026, specially trained rodent detection dogs will be allowed on the Pribilof Islands to help stop invasive rodents from harming local wildlife and communities. This change affects anyone bringing vessels or cargo to the islands, supporting efforts to protect native animals and food security. Public comments are open until the same date, with no new costs expected.
2026-13682 — Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of America; Amendment 62
Fishermen and fish lovers in the Gulf of America, listen up! Amendment 62 changes how much red grouper can be caught and who gets to catch it, based on the latest science. Plus, the usual February-March fishing break for shallow-water grouper is gone, so you can fish year-round. Comments on these changes are open until August 6, 2026, so don’t miss your chance to weigh in!
2026-13625 — Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Wage Mariner Hiring Portal
NOAA is renewing its online Wage Mariner Hiring Portal, which helps people apply for mariner jobs on government ships. About 1,000 applicants fill out info like licenses, work history, and education, taking about an hour each. This extension keeps the portal running smoothly with no new costs or big changes, and the public can comment for 30 more days.
2026-13267 — Fisheries of the South Atlantic; 2026 South Atlantic Red Snapper Commercial Fishing Season
Starting July 13, 2026, commercial fishers in the South Atlantic can catch red snapper until January 1, 2027, or until the catch limit of about 103,000 pounds is hit. This rule helps fishers know exactly when they can fish and keeps the red snapper population healthy. If the limit is reached early, the season will close sooner to protect the fish.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-13655 — Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Canada Limited Partnership (Type Certificate Previously Held by C Series Aircraft Limited Partnership (CSALP); Bombardier, Inc.) Airplanes
The FAA just made new rules for all Airbus Canada BD-500-1A10 and BD-500-1A11 airplanes because some important clips in the high pressure valve were missing or broken. These rules stop planes from flying if certain safety systems aren’t working right or if warning messages show up. The rules started July 7, 2026, and operators need to follow them to keep flights safe without extra costs right now.
Next: 2026-13675 — Airline Refunds and Other Consumer Protections
If your flight gets a new flight number but still flies on time without big changes, airlines don’t have to treat it as canceled or give you a refund right away. This rule helps airlines and passengers by giving the government more time to update the official cancellation rules. This change affects anyone buying plane tickets and lasts until July 7, 2027.