# 2026-19341: New Rules to Save South Atlantic Black Sea Bass 2026-19341, Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of America, and South Atlantic; Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic; Regulatory Amendment 37, is a Federal Register proposed rule from Commerce Department, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration published 2026-09-22, effective Written comments must be received on or before October 22, 2026.; PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-09-29). - Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-19341 - As of: 2026-09-29 - Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts. ## Facts - Document number: 2026-19341 - Title: Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of America, and South Atlantic; Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic; Regulatory Amendment 37 - Type: Proposed Rule - Agencies: Commerce Department; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration - Citation: 91 FR 60076 - Published: 2026-09-22 - Effective: Written comments must be received on or before October 22, 2026. - Comments close: 2026-10-22 - Significant: no - Touches household money: yes - Regulation identifier numbers: 0648-BO36 - Last updated: 2026-09-29 ## In one line New Rules to Save South Atlantic Black Sea Bass ## Summary The government wants to protect black sea bass in the South Atlantic by proposing new fishing rules to help their numbers bounce back. These changes affect fishermen and businesses relying on black sea bass, aiming to keep the fish healthy while scientists update their studies. Comments on the plan are open until October 22, 2026, so now’s the time to speak up! ## Abstract NMFS seeks public comment on proposed regulations to implement Regulatory Amendment 37 under the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic (FMP). If implemented by NMFS, Regulatory Amendment 37 and this proposed rule would revise several management measures for black sea bass in South Atlantic Federal waters. The purpose of these proposed regulatory changes is to immediately address declining abundance and landings of black sea bass while stock assessment updates are completed and separate longer-term actions are developed. ## Effects PRIA read - New Commercial and Recreational ACTs: cost, high. The rule would set annual catch targets (ACTs) below existing limits: a commercial ACT of 48,557 lb (round weight) and a recreational ACT of 63,143 lb (round weight). These ACTs are management targets intended to reduce fishing and would limit how much black sea bass the commercial and recreational… - Commercial In-Season Closures Triggered Sooner: cost, medium. The commercial accountability measure would be changed so NMFS closes the commercial season if landings are projected to reach the commercial quota (48,557 lb round weight) during the fishing year. That means commercial closures could happen earlier or more often than under the current quota trigge… - Recreational Season Projected From ACT: cost, medium. NMFS would set recreational season length based on when the recreational ACT of 63,143 lb is projected to be met and would announce the recreational season end date in the Federal Register before the recreational fishing year begins on April 1. If the projected ACT is met, bag and possession limits… - Commercial Spawning-Season Closure (Feb–Mar): cost, low. The proposal would prohibit commercial sale, purchase, harvest, or possession of black sea bass in South Atlantic Federal waters south of Cape Hatteras from February 1 through March 31 each year and set the commercial trip limit to zero during those months. - Recreational Spawning-Season Closure (Feb–Mar): cost, low. The proposal would prohibit recreational harvest or possession of black sea bass in South Atlantic Federal waters south of Cape Hatteras from February 1 through March 31 each year; bag and possession limits would be zero during the closure. - Smaller Recreational Bag Limit (7 to 3): cost, medium. The recreational daily bag limit for black sea bass would be reduced from seven fish per person to three fish per person per day. This applies to anglers in Federal waters south of Cape Hatteras and to anglers on federally permitted charter and headboat vessels regardless of where the fish were har… ## Related documents - [2026-14204](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-14204): Lake Ontario National Marine Sanctuary; Delay of Effective Date, 2026-07-15 - [2026-14195](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-14195): Rescinding the Definition of “Harm” Under the Endangered Species Act, 2026-07-14 - [2026-07536](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-07536): Taking and Importing Marine Mammals; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Geophysical Surveys in the Gulf of America, 2026-04-17 - [2026-05599](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-05599): Deep Seabed Mining: Notice of Receipt of Applications for Deep Seabed Mining Exploration Licenses and Announcement of Public Comment Period…, 2026-03-23 - [2026-04256](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-04256): Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Spatial Fisheries Management; Amendment 15 to the 2006 Consolidated Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Fi…, 2026-03-04 - [2025-06746](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2025-06746): Rescinding the Definition of “Harm” Under the Endangered Species Act, 2025-04-17 ## Sources - [2026-19341 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/09/22/2026-19341/fisheries-of-the-caribbean-gulf-of-america-and-south-atlantic-snapper-grouper-fishery-of-the-south) - [2026-19341 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-09-22/pdf/2026-19341.pdf) ## Related - [Previous: 2026-19332, Revisions to the Office of Hearings and Appeals Procedural Regulations for the…](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-19332) - [Next: 2026-19343, Airworthiness Directives; Leonardo S.p.a. Helicopters](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-19343) - [All Federal Register documents](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register) Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-19341 (as of 2026-09-29).