Commercial Fishing May Return to Vast Pacific Marine Monument
Published Date: 11/9/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
The government plans to allow commercial fishing again in the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument Expansion, which covers waters around Johnston Atoll, Wake, and Jarvis Islands. This change follows recent presidential orders and a court decision, aiming to balance fishing opportunities with protecting the environment. Fishermen and related businesses should get ready to follow updated rules, and public comments are open until December 9, 2026.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Reopens 50–200 nmi Monument Waters
NOAA proposes to allow commercial fishing in the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument Expansion — the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone waters between 50 to 200 nautical miles (93 to 370 km) around Johnston Atoll, Wake, and Jarvis Islands. The rule would expand areas open to commercial fishing by over 300,000 square nautical miles (about 1,030,000 square kilometers) and place fishing there under existing Magnuson‑Stevens, WCPFCIA, and SPTA regulations.
Purse Seine Vessels: Potential Access Fee Savings
Purse seine vessels could avoid foreign EEZ daily access fees that range from $10,000 to $13,000 per day by fishing in reopened U.S. waters. NMFS estimates fleetwide access‑fee savings could be as high as $1,367,340, and for the 13 currently licensed and active purse seine vessels that operated recently, each vessel could save up to about $105,180 per year (roughly 1 percent of a vessel's average $10 million annual revenue) if they fully shift effort.
Nearshore 50‑nmi Zone Remains Closed
Commercial fishing would remain prohibited shoreward of 50 nautical miles (93 km) around Wake Island, Johnston Atoll, and Jarvis Island. That means fisheries for bottomfish, crustaceans, coral reef fish, and precious corals (habitat found inside 50 nmi) will continue to be closed to commercial fishing, while mainly pelagic longline and purse seine fishing would resume beyond 50 nmi.
Who Can Use the Reopened Area
The proposed rule would apply to fisheries managed under the PRIA and Pelagics FEPs and to U.S. purse seine and longline vessels. While the reopening could apply to as many as 224 longline and 40 purse seine vessels, NMFS expects it would likely affect about 163 permitted and active longline vessels and 13 licensed and active purse seine vessels; the Hawaii longline cap is 164 vessels (149 currently permitted) and the American Samoa cap is 60 vessels (20 currently permitted, 6 dual‑permitted).
Most Affected Firms Qualify as Small Businesses
NMFS uses a small business standard of combined annual receipts not in excess of $11 million for commercial fishing businesses. NMFS believes most affected fish harvesting businesses meet that $11 million threshold and certified the proposed rule would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
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.
2025-12513, Deep Seabed Mining: Revisions to Regulations for Exploration License and Commercial Recovery Permit Applications
NOAA is updating the rules for deep seabed mining licenses and permits to keep up with new technology and info since the 1980s. These changes affect companies wanting to explore or mine valuable minerals from the ocean floor beyond national borders. Comments on the proposed updates are open until September 5, 2025, so get ready to weigh in!
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-22809, Threshold for the Requirement To Collect, Retain, and Transmit Information on Funds Transfers and Transmittals of Funds That Begin or End Outside the United States, and Clarification of the Requirement To Collect, Retain, and Transmit Information on Transactions Involving Convertible Virtual Currencies and Digital Assets With Legal Tender Status; Withdrawal
FinCEN and the Federal Reserve are officially dropping their 2020 plan to lower the money transfer reporting threshold from $3,000 to $250 for transfers involving the U.S. This means banks won’t have to collect extra info on smaller international transfers or certain digital currency transactions. The withdrawal takes effect November 9, 2026, so no new rules or costs will hit financial institutions anytime soon.
Next: 2026-22826, Pecans Grown in the States of Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Texas; Changes to Membership and Handling Requirements
Pecan growers and shellers in 16 states will see some fresh changes! The American Pecan Council wants to simplify membership rules, tweak reporting forms, and add fees for late payments. These updates aim to make things fairer and smoother, with comments open until December 9, 2026—so get ready to weigh in!