This is Queen Street Analytics' weekly digest of regulatory developments, legislative discussions and other government-related news concerning fisheries, aquaculture, shellfish, and marine conservation. Once a week, we break down the most important updates in this space in under five minutes.

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Dates: 2026-03-15 to 2026-03-21

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

• 🇺🇸 Federal Government News
• 📜 Legislative Updates
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

Federal Government News

Northeast Multispecies Fishery: Atlantic Cod Stock Restructuring and Catch Limits Proposed

NMFS has issued a proposed rule to implement Amendment 25 (Revised) to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan, incorporating a revised stock structure for Atlantic cod. The proposal would expand cod management units from two to four discrete stocks—Georges Bank, Eastern Gulf of Maine, Western Gulf of Maine, and Southern New England— and sets new status determination criteria, annual catch limits (ACLs), and harvest regulations for each. The measure details sector and common pool allocation methods, recreational and commercial sub-ACLs, and management uncertainty buffers. The SNE cod recreational fishery would be closed for retention, and new geographic delineations and management measures would be instituted for all cod stocks for the 2026–2027 fishing seasons. NMFS is soliciting public comments on the proposed regulation through April 17, 2026. Supporting documents include the regulatory impact review and environmental assessment.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Biennial Pacific Mackerel Harvest Specifications Finalized for 2025–2027

The National Marine Fisheries Service issued final harvest specifications for Pacific mackerel in the U.S. EEZ off the West Coast for the 2025–2026 and 2026–2027 fishing years. The rule sets the overfishing limit (OFL), allowable biological catch (ABC), annual catch limit (ACL), harvest guideline (HG), and annual catch target (ACT) at 12,965 mt/10,084 mt/9,143 mt/8,143 mt for 2025–26 and 14,270 mt/11,099 mt/10,448 mt/9,448 mt for 2026–27, respectively. If the ACT is reached in-season, NMFS will close the directed fishery, and a 1,000 mt set-aside will be reserved for incidental landings. The specifications are based on Council-recommended control rules and 2025 biomass estimates. The new limits will be effective April 17, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Gulf of America: Other Shallow-Water Grouper Interim Catch Reductions and Recreational Season Closures Proposed

NOAA has proposed reducing the annual catch limit (ACL) and commercial quota for the Gulf Other Shallow-Water Grouper (SWG) complex, which includes scamp and yellowmouth grouper, by 54.7%. The rule would cap the stock complex ACL at 322,000 lb (down from 710,000) and the commercial quota at 245,000 lb, following recommendations from the recent stock assessment (SEDAR 68). In addition, a new closed season would prohibit recreational harvest from January 1 through June 30 each year, with the open period restricted to July–December. The measure seeks to constrain both commercial and recreational harvest while further management for scamp/yellowmouth grouper is developed through Amendment 58A. NMFS will accept public comments on the changed measures until April 17, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

NOAA Issues Final Rule Updating Queen Triggerfish Catch Limits in U.S. Virgin Islands

NMFS has finalized new annual catch limits (ACLs) for queen triggerfish under Framework Action 3 for St. Croix and St. Thomas/St. John management areas. The St. Croix ACL is revised to 18,808 lb (down from 21,450 lb); St. Thomas/St. John is reduced to 92,919 lb (from 97,670 lb). The action implements recommendations based on SEDAR 80 stock assessments, and shifts both islands’ triggerfish management from a less data-rich tier to tier 3b, resulting in updated reference points. The revised limits and buffers are effective April 17, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Fisheries of the Northeastern U.S.: 2026 Chub Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fishery Specifications Proposed

NMFS has proposed 2026 specifications under the Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish FMP. Chub mackerel ABC is maintained at 2,300 mt for 2026–2028, Illex squid at 40,000 mt, and longfin squid at 23,400 mt for 2026, reflecting stable stock assessments. Butterfish ABC is set at 13,842 mt for 2026 based on updated science. The proposal notes recent landings have been below allowable limits and certifies no significant impact on small entities. Comments are invited through April 15, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Legislative Updates

Chesapeake Bay Watershed Advancement for Training, Education, Restoration, and Science (WATERS) Act

Bill 6893 was referred to the House Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife, and Fisheries. The bill focuses on environmental protection initiatives within the Chesapeake Bay watershed, supporting training, education, restoration, and science programs.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Lower Yellowstone River Native Fish Conservation Act

Bill 3409 was the subject of hearings in the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water and Power. This measure addresses native fish conservation on the Lower Yellowstone River.

Sources: www.congress.gov

To amend the Federal Power Act to require the consideration of invasive species when prescribing fishways, and for other purposes.

Bill 7940 was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. It proposes to amend the Federal Power Act to incorporate invasive species considerations in fishway prescriptions.

Sources: www.congress.gov

To reauthorize the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System Act of 2009.

Bill 2294, concerning reauthorization of the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System Act of 2009, was received in the Senate and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Sources: www.congress.gov

To amend the Water Resources Research Act of 1984 to reauthorize the water resources research and technology institutes program, and for other purposes.

Bill 7889 was referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries. The bill would reauthorize the water resources research and technology institutes program.

Sources: www.congress.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• Trawl ban push, shrimp struggles, and lobster declines: National Fisherman reviews industry debate on trawl bans, shrimp market challenges, and continued declines in lobster landings.
• Cold storage grows, pollock earns MSC nod, and salmon surge back: U.S. cold storage capacity expands, pollock achieves Marine Stewardship Council certification, and salmon harvests rebound in several regions.

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