May 24, 2026 to May 30, 2026

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.

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

• 🏛️ This Week's Congressional Calendar
• 🇺🇸 Federal Government News
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

This Week's Congressional Calendar

• Senate Hearing on the Blue Economy: Advancing American Fisheries and Coastal Economies: The Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Coast Guard, Maritime, and Fisheries will hold an open hearing on June 2 examining the blue economy and strategies to advance U.S. fisheries and coastal economic sectors. The session will take place in Russell Senate Office Building Room 253.
• House Natural Resources Subcommittee Legislative Hearing on Marine Mammal Protection, Offshore Parity, and Fishing Regulation Bills: On June 3, the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries will hear testimony on four bills, including H.R. 8401 regarding transport and sale of subsistence-harvested Alaska sea otters, and H.R. 8904 on regulating fishing in marine national monuments, in Longworth 1324.
• House Science Subcommittee Hearing: Environmental Protection through Science and Technology: The House Science, Space, and Technology Subcommittee on Environment will meet on June 4 to discuss approaches to environmental protection informed by scientific and technological advances, including those relevant to aquatic ecosystems, in Rayburn 2318.

Federal Government News

NOAA Proposes Electronic Logbook Reporting Rule for Atlantic and Gulf Fisheries

NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service published a proposed rule on May 26 to require federally permitted commercial vessels in the Gulf of America and Atlantic to submit fishing logbooks electronically instead of on paper forms. The rule would apply to vessels under four federal fishery management plans, including those for Gulf reef fish and Atlantic dolphin and wahoo. The measure is designed to increase the accuracy and efficiency of catch data. Stakeholders are invited to submit comments by June 25, 2026. The proposal would not change the reporting deadline of seven days after each trip, but would require software to be approved by NOAA. Slight changes to the data fields are included to align with current requirements and system integration.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

USFWS Proposes Revised Hunting and Sport Fishing Regulations Across National Wildlife Refuges

The US Fish and Wildlife Service released a proposed rule on May 27 to open or expand hunting and sport fishing on 111 field stations for the 2026-2027 season, including 107 National Wildlife Refuges and 4 National Fish Hatcheries. Updates address more than 1,450 opportunities, with hunting and fishing access revised or clarified for a wide range of areas and species. Public comments are accepted through June 26. The proposal also addresses rescinding previously scheduled non-lead ammunition requirements at certain refuges and requests input on future lead use at West Virginia's Canaan Valley NWR. Detailed amendments and compliance information are provided in the official Federal Register notice.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

NMFS Finalizes Southern Oregon/Northern California Coast Coho Salmon Tribal Resource Plan

NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service issued a final determination under the Endangered Species Act on the Yurok Tribe’s management plan for fisheries affecting listed Southern Oregon/Northern California Coast coho salmon within the Klamath River. Concluded on May 28, the plan outlines harvest, monitoring, and compliance requirements, and allows tribal harvests while maintaining species protections. The decision is contingent on ongoing monitoring, reporting, and specific limits outlined in the plan.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

NMFS Sets 2026 Bluefin Tuna Angling Category Retention Limits

On May 29, the National Marine Fisheries Service announced new daily retention limits for Atlantic bluefin tuna under the Angling category, effective June 1–December 31, 2026. Private vessels may retain two tuna per trip, while charter vessels may retain three and headboats may keep six, with size restrictions applied. These regulations apply except in the Gulf of Mexico, where no targeted bluefin tuna fishing is allowed. NMFS cited recent quota usage and stock management objectives in setting these limits.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Pacific Cod Directed Fishing Closure for Jig Gear in Central Gulf of Alaska

Effective May 27 through June 10, 2026, NMFS has closed directed fishing for Pacific cod by vessels using jig gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska. The closure is necessary to prevent exceeding the 517-metric-ton A season allocation for the sector. Retainable amounts provisions remain in force for cod as incidental catch per applicable regulations.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• Is farm-raised fish really worse than wild-caught seafood? Experts sound off: A review of common concerns and perceptions around farmed versus wild seafood in U.S. markets.
• Rivers set free: Why countries are tearing down hundreds of dams: Media coverage on global dam removal efforts and impacts on rivers and fish habitats.

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