Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; General Provisions for Domestic Fisheries; Application for Exempted Fishing Permits
Published Date: 7/28/2026
Notice
Summary
The Assistant Regional Administrator for Sustainable Fisheries, Greater Atlantic Region, NMFS, has made a preliminary determination that an Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) application contains all of the required information and warrants further consideration. The EFP would allow federally permitted fishing vessels to fish outside fishery regulations in support of exempted fishing activities proposed by the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries. Regulations under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act require publication of this notification to provide interested parties the opportunity to comment on applications for proposed EFPs.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 3 costs, 1 mixed.
Temporary higher weekly catch limit
If this Exempted Fishing Permit is approved, up to 50 federally permitted vessels could exceed the 7,500-lb (3,402-kg) trip possession limit and instead land up to 37,500 lb (17,010 kg) of spiny dogfish per week between September 1, 2026 and December 31, 2026. Each vessel may make up to 4 trips per week and the project allows up to 7,200 total fishing days.
Automatic suspension at 80% quota use
The EFP would be suspended and possession limits would revert to the 7,500-lb (3,402-kg) daily limit if 80 percent of the northern region quota is projected to be utilized. That suspension would stop the higher weekly landing allowance during the project period.
Potential downward pressure on fish prices
Applicants acknowledge the project could reduce ex-vessel spiny dogfish prices if supply increases, and the sole processor in New Bedford, MA would be given a list of participating vessels to advise if supply outpaces demand; trips under the EFP may be temporarily suspended if price impacts occur. The project runs from September 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026.
Weekly quota monitoring and reporting
All spiny dogfish landings under the EFP (and landings not under the EFP) would count toward the commercial quota and be monitored using weekly reported dealer data. The project includes cooperative state monitoring in the northern region to track quota utilization.
Data to inform future trip limits
The stated purpose of the project is to provide data to inform the setting of future trip limits for the spiny dogfish fishery through the specifications process; a final report with participation, effort, ex-vessel price, and landings per trip will be submitted to the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission's Spiny Dogfish Management Board. The project period is September 1, 2026 to December 31, 2026.
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