Good morning! This is Queen Street Analytics' weekly roundup of regulatory developments, legislative discussions, political announcements and other government-related news concerning fisheries, aquaculture, molluscan shellfish, and marine conservation. Every Monday, we break down the most important updates in this space in under five minutes.

Want to see GR activities in areas of the economy related to the Fisheries channel? Don’t miss this week’s updates in Environment and Agri-Food.

Dates: 2025-08-03 to 2025-08-09

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

• 🇨🇦 Canadian Federal GR News
• 🇺🇸 US Federal GR News
• 🗺️ Canadian Provincial GR News
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

Canadian Federal GR News

Statistics Canada Releases June 2025 Seafood Retail Prices

Statistics Canada has published monthly average retail prices for selected products, including seafood, for June 2025. The dataset offers current pricing on a range of retail seafood products relevant for tracking cost trends at the consumer level. This information is available through the Daily release and can be accessed online. Industry participants may use these updated figures to monitor shifts in downstream pricing in relation to harvest costs and export margins. The June figures serve as a reference point for contract negotiations and supply chain benchmarking.

Sources: Open Government Data Set: www.statcan.gc.ca

US Federal GR News

NMFS Proposes Incidental Harassment Authorization for Northeast Supply Enhancement Project

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is proposing an Incidental Harassment Authorization (IHA) for Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company’s Northeast Supply Enhancement Project in New York and New Jersey waters. The project will involve vibratory and impact pile driving of 163 temporary piles for the offshore Raritan Bay Loop pipeline, scheduled mainly for June through August 2026. NMFS estimates takes by Level B harassment for 15 marine mammal species, including North Atlantic right whales, fin whales, sei whales, humpback whales, and multiple dolphin and seal stocks, along with a smaller number of Level A harassment takes for a subset of species. The Biological Opinion indicates the activity may adversely affect, but is not likely to jeopardize, listed species such as the North Atlantic right whale. Public comments on the proposal and the potential one-year renewal are invited until September 8, 2025. Details of the mitigation, monitoring, and reporting requirements are provided in the Federal Register.

Sources: U.S. Federal Announcements: www.federalregister.gov

Gulf of America Red Grouper Catch Limits Raised under Emergency Rule

NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service has issued a final temporary rule, effective August 6 through December 31, 2025, increasing red grouper catch limits in the Gulf of America (formerly Gulf of Mexico). The rule responds to a recent SEDAR 88 stock assessment indicating a larger stock size and increases the overfishing limit (OFL) to 10.64 million pounds, the acceptable biological catch (ABC) to 8.28 million pounds, and the stock annual catch limit (ACL) to 7.45 million pounds. Sector allocations provide 59.3% to the commercial sector and 40.7% to recreational, with corresponding increases to sector ACLs and ACTs. This action aims to alleviate economic constraints and extend the recreational fishing season for red grouper through year’s end.

Sources: U.S. Federal Announcements: www.federalregister.gov

NOAA Seeks Comments on Pacific Coast Groundfish Trawl Rationalization Program Permit Collection

NOAA has initiated a comment period on proposed renewal of the Pacific Coast Groundfish Trawl Rationalization Program permit and license information collection. The program manages individual fishing quotas for trawl fleets and requires annual data collection on permit renewals, quota transfers, and compliance. Public comments are accepted until October 6, 2025. The request references legal authority under Amendments 20 and 21 and 50 CFR part 660, and the estimated burden is 808 hours for 392 respondents. Implications for commercial compliance and quota tracking processes are outlined in the published notice.

Sources: U.S. Federal Announcements: www.federalregister.gov

FERC Advances EA on Penobscot River Hydroelectric Drawdown Affecting Atlantic Salmon

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) announced its intent to complete an Environmental Assessment (EA) for Great Lakes Hydro America’s Mattaceunk Hydroelectric Project in Maine, with an expected publication by September 10, 2025. The project’s planned temporary drawdown for fishway maintenance involves reducing impoundment elevation by 22 feet during August and September, with consequences for the Gulf of Maine Distinct Population Segment (DPS) of Atlantic salmon. NMFS has concluded the drawdown may adversely affect but not jeopardize the GOM DPS or destroy its critical habitat, and a Biological Opinion with an Incidental Take Statement has been issued. Public participation is encouraged.

Sources: U.S. Federal Announcements: www.federalregister.gov

Alaska DOT Issued Reissued IHA for Auke Bay East Ferry Terminal Construction

NMFS reissued an Incidental Harassment Authorization (IHA) to the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities for the Auke Bay East Ferry Terminal improvements in Juneau, Alaska, shifting the effective dates to October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027 following a two-year project delay. The IHA authorizes takes, by harassment only, for eleven marine mammal species due to in-water vibratory and impact pile driving and removal associated with maintenance improvements. The scope, authorized take numbers, and required mitigation, monitoring, and reporting measures are unchanged from the original 2024 issuance.

Sources: U.S. Federal Announcements: www.federalregister.gov

Canadian Provincial GR News

Kitsumkalum First Nation Launches Treaty Ratification Campaign

The Kitsumkalum First Nation in British Columbia has begun a Treaty ratification campaign, with voting scheduled for November 1, 2025. The treaty, if ratified, will establish governance, land ownership, and resource management rights, including fisheries management.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.gov.bc.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• Krill fishery in Antarctica shut down after record catch triggers unprecedented early closure: The Antarctic krill fishery has closed early after a record catch exceeded set limits, with potential international supply implications.
• Commercial fishing in a vast Pacific nature area is halted after a judge blocks a Trump order: A federal judge halted commercial fishing in a major Pacific protected area by overturning a prior executive order.
• Ocean Harvesters Responds to Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s August 7 Press Release: The company addressed issues raised by environmental groups related to menhaden and Chesapeake Bay resource use.
• Meet ‘Esdras,’ the 12-pound lobster that sold in Quebec for $170: A Quebec fish market sold a 12-pound lobster for $170, reflecting demand dynamics for large crustaceans.
• How a private yacht club on a quiet stretch of the Humber River became the centre of an ugly battle over jet skis and local wildlife: Disputes over water use on the Humber River draw attention to interactions between recreational activities and wildlife.

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