🎣Summer Flounder Quota Transfer Regulation Impacting MA and RI Businesses
NMFS announces that the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is transferring a portion of its 2025 commercial summer flounder quota to the State of Rhode Island. This adjustment to the 2025 fishing year quota is necessary to comply with the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fishery Management Plan (FMP) quota transfer provisions. This announcement informs the public of the revised 2025 commercial quotas for Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
Learn More🎣Reopening of Atlantic Spanish Mackerel Commercial Harvest
NMFS announces the re-opening of commercial harvest of Spanish mackerel in the northern zone of the Atlantic exclusive economic zone (EEZ). NMFS recently approved a second transfer of commercial quota from the southern zone to the northern zone for the 2025-2026 fishing year. Therefore, NMFS re-opens the commercial harvest of Spanish mackerel in the northern zone for an additional 8 days. The purpose of this temporary rule is to allow commercial fishermen to harvest the increased commercial quota of Spanish mackerel in the northern zone while managing the risk of exceeding the commercial quota.
Learn More🐬Notice on Marine Mammal Research Permit Application
Notice is hereby given that Adam Gilbertsen, University of Minnesota, 689 23rd Avenue Southeast, MRF Room 1-151, Minneapolis, MN 55455, has applied in due form for a permit to import, export, and receive marine mammal parts for scientific research.
Learn More🎣NMFS Temporarily Closes Pacific Ocean Perch Fishery in Alaska
NMFS is prohibiting retention of Pacific Ocean perch in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary because the 2025 total allowable catch of Pacific Ocean perch in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA has been or will be reached.
Learn More🎣2025 Scup Fishery Quota Adjustment Impacts Northeastern Fisheries
NMFS adjusts the 2025 Winter II commercial scup quota and per- trip Federal landing limit. This action is necessary to comply with regulations implementing Framework Adjustment 3 to the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fishery Management Plan that established the rollover of unused commercial scup quota from the Winter I to the Winter II period. This notification informs the public of the quota and trip limit changes.
Learn More🐟New England Fishery Management Council Public Meeting Notice
The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is holding a public hybrid meeting of its Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) to consider actions affecting New England fisheries in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Recommendations from this group will be brought to the full Council for formal consideration and action, if appropriate.
Learn More🎣2025-2026 Recreational Closure for Greater Amberjack Fishing
NMFS implements an accountability measure for recreational greater amberjack in the Gulf of America (Gulf) reef fish fishery for the 2025-2026 fishing year through this temporary rule. NMFS has determined that for Gulf greater amberjack, the adjusted recreational annual catch target (ACT) for the 2025-2026 fishing year has been exceeded. Therefore, the recreational fishing season for greater amberjack in the Gulf exclusive economic zone (EEZ) will close on September 27, 2025, and the sector will remain closed through, July 31, 2026, the end of the 2025-2026 fishing year. This closure is necessary to protect the Gulf greater amberjack resource.
Learn More📸NOAA Marine Mammals Permit Application and Compliance Notice
Notice is hereby given that Emily McCulliss, of Emily McCulliss Photography, LLC, P.O. Box 3668, Littleton, CO 80161, has applied in due form for a permit to conduct commercial and educational photography on marine mammals.
Learn More🎣Temporary Fishing Closure for Pollock in Bering Sea Area
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for pollock by vessels using trawl gear in the Winter Herring Savings Area of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2025 herring bycatch allowance specified for the midwater pollock fishery in the BSAI. This action includes prohibiting directed fishing for pollock in the Winter Herring Savings Area by vessels participating in the Community Development Quota Program.
Learn More🐬Regulations for Taking Marine Mammals in Gulf of America Surveys
NMFS has received a request from the EnerGeo Alliance (EnerGeo) for the development of regulations governing the taking of marine mammals incidental to geophysical survey activity conducted in the Gulf of America (GOA) over a period of 5 years. Pursuant to regulations implementing the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS is announcing receipt of EnerGeo's request. NMFS invites the public to provide information, suggestions, and comments on EnerGeo's application.
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