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.

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. Also consider subscribing to our Fisheries - Ottawa edition covering critical GR news north of the border.

Dates: 2026-04-12 to 2026-04-18

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

• 🏛️ This Week's Congressional Calendar
• 🇺🇸 Federal Government News
• 📜 Legislative Updates
• 🗺️ State Government News
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

This Week's Congressional Calendar

• House Natural Resources Committee Markup – Fighting Foreign Illegal Seafood Harvests Act and Related Bills: The House Natural Resources Committee is scheduled for markup on April 21, 2026, considering H.R. 3756 (FISH Act of 2025), H.R. 1501, H.R. 1687, and other legislation. The session takes place in the Longworth House Office Building, Room 1324.
• House Natural Resources Subcommittee – Oversight Hearing: Tribal Natural Resource Development: On April 22, 2026, the Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs holds an oversight hearing on barriers and successes in Tribal natural resource development. The hearing is set for Longworth House Office Building, Room 1334.

Federal Government News

Proposed 2026 Harvest Specifications for Salmon in Cook Inlet EEZ (Alaska)

NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service has proposed harvest specifications for the 2026 Cook Inlet exclusive economic zone salmon fishery, setting stock-specific overfishing limits, acceptable biological catch (ABC), and total allowable catch (TAC). The proposal is based on the 2026 Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation report, which incorporates Council and Scientific and Statistical Committee recommendations. For 2026, all commercial salmon stocks except aggregate coho have proposed TACs higher than the recent 10-year average harvest. The draft Environmental Assessment and the regulatory impact analysis identified the action as economically beneficial to small commercial and charter entities operating under S03H permits. Public comments will be accepted through April 30, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

NOAA Issues Proposed Rule to Amend Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Longline Regulations

NOAA is proposing to remove the regulations and lists for pelagic and demersal indicator species for Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) longline fisheries. The changes would affect fishermen holding HMS permits by removing the 5% by weight limit on indicator species in gear-restricted areas, potentially increasing operational flexibility. The rulemaking aims to eliminate regulatory inefficiencies and enable improved utilization of quotas. Public comments on the proposed rule are open until May 29, 2026, with a hearing scheduled for May 21 via webinar.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement Announced for Alaska Aquaculture Opportunity Areas

NOAA announced the preparation of a Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) to evaluate locations suitable for Aquaculture Opportunity Areas in the Gulf of Alaska state waters. The initiative, a planning measure, is intended to inform future marine aquaculture siting for shellfish and seaweed, with the PEIS assessing potential biological, ecosystem, and socioeconomic impacts. This process follows several years of spatial planning and public engagement, with the 45-day scoping period open through May 28, 2026. No specific aquaculture projects or permitting actions are proposed at this phase.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Cost Recovery Program and Regulatory Changes Proposed for West Coast Groundfish Limited Entry Fixed Gear

The National Marine Fisheries Service issued a proposed rule to implement Amendment 36 to the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan, impacting limited entry fixed gear (LEFG) vessels. The changes include increased gear flexibility, removal of start and end times for the sablefish primary season, elimination of base permit designation, and establishment of a cost recovery fee (up to 3% of ex-vessel value) for the primary sablefish fishery. Most LEFG permit owners are classified as small entities. Public comment is open through May 18, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

White House CEQ Launches Permitting Innovators Program to Modernize Environmental Permitting Technology

The White House Council on Environmental Quality announced the Permitting Innovators program, collaborating with NASA’s Center of Excellence for Collaborative Innovation. The initiative seeks private sector solutions to modernize and streamline federal permitting processes for infrastructure and resource projects. A call for technology solutions will be issued shortly, with selected proposals to be featured at a summer expo and in a catalog distributed to federal agencies.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov

Legislative Updates

H.R. 3756 – Fighting Foreign Illegal Seafood Harvests Act of 2025 (FISH Act of 2025)

Introduced by Rep. Crenshaw, this bill seeks to address foreign illegal seafood harvests. It is scheduled for markup by the House Natural Resources Committee.

Sources: www.congress.gov

S. 8337 – To Prohibit Federal Procurement of Foreign Seafood for Covered Food Programs

The bill prohibits federal procurement of foreign seafood for designated food programs. It was referred to the Committees on Education and Workforce, Agriculture, Armed Services, and Transportation and Infrastructure.

Sources: www.congress.gov

S. 4325 / H.R. 8357 – Establishment of Task Force on Impacts of 6PPD and 6PPD-Q on Coho Salmon

Both chambers introduced companion bills to create a federal task force studying the effects of tire chemical 6PPD and its byproduct on coho salmon and related aquatic environments, including research funding for alternatives.

Sources: www.congress.gov, www.congress.gov

Certain Frozen Fish Fillets From the Socialist Republic of Vietnam: Sunset Review and Antidumping Duty Order

The USITC continues the antidumping duty order on frozen fish fillets from Vietnam. The final review found likely continuation of dumping if the order were revoked, with margins up to 63.88%.

Sources: SOURCE NOT FOUND

State Government News

Governor Abbott Renews Disaster Proclamation for Drought in Texas

Texas Governor Greg Abbott amended and renewed the disaster proclamation for ongoing drought conditions across multiple counties, authorizing suspension of regulatory statutes as needed.

Sources: gov.texas.gov

California Court Maintains Block on Offshore Oil Pipeline Restart

A Santa Barbara Superior Court order upheld state approval requirements for Sable Offshore Corp., preventing pipeline restart despite federal Defense Production Act directives.

Sources: www.gov.ca.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• E&E News: Commercial salmon fishing to open in California for first time since 2022: California commercial salmon season set to resume after years of closure.
• Climate reporting rules for food sector set high bar for regenerative agriculture: New climate disclosure requirements challenge regenerative agriculture in the food industry.
• The stunning underwater world that’s at risk as the Iran war drags on: Prolonged conflict near the Strait of Hormuz threatens unique marine biodiversity.
• Earth Day spotlight on water and wildlife: Earth Day coverage focuses on water conservation and at-risk aquatic wildlife.

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