North Pacific Fishery Council Meeting: Yawn, Habitat Talk

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.

2026-07536, Taking and Importing Marine Mammals; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Geophysical Surveys in the Gulf of America

Starting April 20, 2026, NOAA is setting new rules for companies doing geophysical surveys in the Gulf of America to protect marine mammals. These rules let companies get permission to accidentally disturb marine mammals but require them to minimize harm and report what they find. This plan lasts five years and helps balance ocean research with saving sea life.

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.

2026-19341, Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of America, and South Atlantic; Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic; Regulatory Amendment 37

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!

Previous: 2026-19344, Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Initiation of 5-Year Status Review for Black Caiman

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is kicking off a 5-year checkup on the black caiman, a big South American reptile, to see how it's doing under the Endangered Species Act. They want the public to send in any new info by November 23, 2026, but will keep accepting updates anytime. This review helps decide if the black caiman’s protection status needs to change, affecting conservation efforts and funding.

Next: 2026-19348, North Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting

The North Pacific Fishery Management Council’s Charter Halibut Committee is meeting online on October 21, 2026, to review fishing data from 2025 and 2026 and plan rules for the 2027 fishing season. This affects charter halibut fishers and helps manage sustainable fishing in Alaska. The meeting is free to join and open for public comments before it starts.