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: 2026-05-03 to 2026-05-09

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

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

Federal Government News

Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of America; Amendment 58B

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has proposed management measures under Amendment 58B for the Deep-Water Grouper (DWG) complex in the Gulf of America. The rule would reduce current catch limits, establish a recreational annual catch limit (ACL), and revise sector allocations. Commercial allocation is set at 89.79% and recreational allocation at 10.21% of the DWG complex ACL. Amendment 58B also revises accountability measures for the recreational sector, implementing a moving 3-year average landings comparison to ACLs for season adjustments. The commercial quota is reduced to 478,000 lb and the recreational ACL is set at 56,668 lb. NMFS estimates that the supply reduction could increase average price per pound from $6.66 to $7.61. Written comments are due by June 5, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of America, and South Atlantic; Accountability Measure for Recreational Harvest of Red Snapper in Federal Waters off Louisiana

NMFS has issued a temporary rule adjusting the 2026 annual catch limit (ACL) for recreational red snapper harvest in federal waters off Louisiana. The 2025 private angling ACL of 894,955 pounds was exceeded, resulting in a 2026 ACL reduction to 882,439 pounds. The action is mandated under the Magnuson-Stevens Act and is effective May 6 through December 31, 2026. The rule applies only to the Louisiana management area, leaving other Gulf state ACLs unchanged. Immediate implementation aims to maintain resource protection and avoid public confusion.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; General Provisions for Domestic Fisheries; Application for Exempted Fishing Permits (Atlantic Herring Genomics Study)

NMFS is reviewing an Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) application from the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries supporting a population genomics study of Atlantic herring. The EFP would allow sampling in Gulf of Maine, Georges Bank, and Great South Channel during spawning seasons, exempting vessels from limitations in Area 1A and cod protection areas. Sampling aims to collect 3,000 adult herring over 15 trips, using echosounder technology to minimize bycatch. The study uses genomic tools to inform area-specific annual catch limits for improved fisheries management. Comments are due by May 19, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Swordfish, Albacore, Bluefin Tuna Quotas

NMFS proposes to implement International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) recommendations for North/South Atlantic swordfish, northern albacore, and Atlantic bluefin tuna quotas. The rule would maintain swordfish and albacore baseline quotas and increase the U.S. bluefin tuna baseline quota to 1,509.98 metric tons, notably raising the pelagic longline bycatch set-aside quota from 25 mt to 62.5 mt. The rule includes annual adjustment procedures and ICCAT carryover limits. Public comments are due by June 8, 2026, and a webinar is scheduled for May 28, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Reporting Requirements for Sea Otter Interactions With the Pacific Sardine Fishery; Information Collection Renewal

NOAA seeks public comment on the renewal of reporting requirements for sea otter interactions under the Coastal Pelagic Species Fishery Management Plan. The collection, required by regulations at 50 CFR 660.520, involves reporting entanglements within 24 hours and other interactions within 20 days. The annual burden estimates two respondents with a total cost of $10. Comments are requested to evaluate the necessity, accuracy, and methods of collection. Submission deadline is July 6, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• European fishing firms reflag ships to tap Indian Ocean tuna quotas, report finds: European fleets have moved vessel registrations to access Indian Ocean tuna quotas, according to a new industry report.
• Why America Is Removing So Many ‘Deadbeat’ Dams: Hundreds of dams are being dismantled in the United States; the article covers the ecological and regulatory reasons behind this trend.

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