New England Fishing Rules Get Flexibility Update
Published Date: 7/8/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
The New England Fishery Management Council wants to make fishing rules more flexible and easier to adjust during the season. This change affects fishermen and managers working with 27 fish species along the Northeast coast. Comments are open until August 7, 2026, so get ready to weigh in on how these updates could help keep fishing smart and steady without extra costs.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
In-Season Adjustment Authority Expanded
NMFS would be allowed to make in-season adjustments to specifications and sub-ACLs across all Council FMPs during the fishing year, after consulting with the Council and in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act. The change expands the existing Atlantic Herring in-season authority to the other FMPs.
Set Fishery Specs for 1–5 Years
The Council could recommend fishery specifications (like catch limits) for periods of 1 up to 5 years, instead of shorter fixed intervals. This change applies across the New England Council's fishery management plans covering 27 species along the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic coasts.
Streamline Multispecies & Monkfish Specs
The rule creates a defined specifications setting process for the Northeast Multispecies and Monkfish plans so their routine specs (like annual catch limits, size limits, seasons) can be set without a full framework adjustment or amendment. The Monkfish measures listed include OFLs, ABCs, ACLs, total allowable landings, and various commercial and recreational controls.
Remove Some Annual Reviews/Reports
The proposed rule would remove the requirement to prepare annual reviews for the Monkfish and Northeast Skate Complex FMPs and would remove the annual review and report requirement for the small-mesh component of the Northeast Multispecies FMP. The Council may still choose to prepare such reports if it prioritizes them.
Add Spec Items to Framework Adjustments
The rule would add specification frequency, the specification setting process, in-season adjustment authority, and annual report/review requirements to the list of items that can be changed through framework adjustment actions for multiple FMPs (including Northeast Multispecies, Atlantic Sea Scallop, Monkfish, Atlantic Herring, Northeast Skate Complex, and Red Crab).
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Key Dates
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