North Carolina Gifts Flounder Quota to Massachusetts Fishermen

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.

2026-20330, Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of America, and South Atlantic; Puerto Rico Fishery Management Plan; Amendment 4

Starting October 5, 2026, the rainbow runner fish in Puerto Rico will be managed as a pelagic fish instead of a reef fish. This change affects fishermen and fishery managers by updating catch limits and rules to better match how and where rainbow runners live and are caught. The goal is to keep fishing sustainable and fair without changing current catch limits, so no big money hits are expected.

Previous: 2026-20338, Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Ocean Perch in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska

Starting October 1, 2026, fishing for Pacific ocean perch in the Western Gulf of Alaska is temporarily closed to keep the catch within safe limits. This affects fishermen targeting this species, helping protect the fish population and support other fisheries. The closure lasts until December 31, 2026, ensuring sustainable fishing and preventing overfishing.

Next: 2026-20362, Wireline Competition Bureau and Office of Economics and Analytics Adopt 2026 Mandatory Data Collection for Incarcerated People's Communications Services

The FCC’s Wireline Competition Bureau and Office of Economics and Analytics are rolling out new rules for companies that provide phone and communication services to people in jail. Starting in 2026, these providers must submit detailed data using special forms by December 21, 2026. This helps keep communication fair and transparent, affecting all service providers and potentially impacting costs and service quality.