July 26, 2026 to August 01, 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

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

Federal Government News

NOAA Seeks Public Input on Marine Mammal Protection Act Fish and Fish Product Import Provisions

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is inviting public input on potential revisions to regulations implementing the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) import provisions. These rules bar import of fish and fish products caught using practices that produce marine mammal mortality or serious injury exceeding US standards. Currently, exporting nations must demonstrate the effectiveness of their regulatory systems at reducing marine mammal bycatch to US levels. NMFS is reviewing administrative operations, the definition of 'US standards,' traceability, prioritization, and international coordination—comments are due September 28, 2026. The agency aims to maintain effective marine mammal conservation while improving program efficiency and fair implementation for trading partners.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

NOAA Requests Information to Identify the Next US Aquaculture Opportunity Areas

NOAA has issued a request for information to identify additional geographic regions in US waters for Aquaculture Opportunity Area (AOA) designation, under Executive Orders promoting American seafood competitiveness. Public input is sought on siting parameters, regional priorities, technical requirements, and potential resource use conflicts. The process builds on earlier AOAs designated in the Gulf of America, Southern California, and Alaska. Responses are due by September 13, 2026, and the input will inform NOAA’s coordination with federal, state, tribal, and fishery management bodies.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Crab Rationalization Program Announces 2026/2027 Cost Recovery Fee

NMFS has set the 2026/2027 fishing year cost recovery fee for the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Crab Rationalization Program at 0.67 percent, reduced from the previous year’s 1.2 percent. The decrease reflects a 37.5 percent rise in fishery value and a roughly 10 percent decline in overall direct program costs. Crab allocation holders are required to remit fees based on ex-vessel value by July 31, 2027. The largest program costs were incurred by the State of Alaska and the NOAA Office of Law Enforcement.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

NOAA Publishes Final Rule on SURTASS LFA Sonar Use for US Navy Operations in the Pacific and Indian Oceans

NMFS has finalized regulations under the Marine Mammal Protection Act authorizing the incidental take of marine mammals during US Navy operations using Surveillance Towed Array Sensor System Low Frequency Active (SURTASS LFA) sonar across western and central North Pacific and eastern Indian oceans for the period August 2026–August 2033. The rule specifies permissible take types, mitigation zones, annual reporting requirements, and restrictions to minimize impacts in biologically important areas. Measures include coastal standoff ranges, time-area limitations, and mandated monitoring. The regulation emphasizes detailed compliance, annual study area reporting, and adaptive management provisions.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

NOAA Issues Permit Decisions for Marine Mammals and Endangered Species Research

NMFS has issued several research permits under the Marine Mammal Protection Act and Endangered Species Act to applicants including academic institutions and media organizations. The permits, granted after public comment periods, authorize specific activities involving marine mammals and endangered species for scientific, educational, or documentary purposes, with findings that ensure consistency with conservation statutes.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Legislative Updates

House Bill 9953 – Gear Performance and Bycatch Reduction in Alaska Fisheries

H.R. 9953 aims to reduce trawl gear impacts on bycatch and seafloor habitat in the Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands, and Gulf of Alaska. The bill proposes establishing gear performance standards, seafloor contact detection, salmon excluder requirements, and ecosystem analyses, as well as prohibiting unsustainable seafood imports and creating a Bycatch Mitigation and Habitat Protection Assistance Fund. It has been referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

Sources: www.congress.gov

S. 5166 – Amendments to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act on Nutrient Label Requirements

S. 5166 would amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to strengthen requirements on nutrient information for food labels. The bill was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Sources: www.congress.gov

S. 5151 – Mississippi River Restoration and Resilience Initiative

S. 5151 proposes establishing the Mississippi River Restoration and Resilience Initiative for corridor protection and restoration projects. Latest action: referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

Sources: www.congress.gov

S. 4974 – Making America’s Food Safer Act

S. 4974, the Making America’s Food Safer Act, covers health-related matters affecting food safety. The bill was placed on the Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders, Calendar No. 530.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Senate Advances Water Resource Development and Security Bills

The Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources reported favorably on bills addressing the Cooperative Watershed Management Program, Water Security and Drought Resilience Act, Carey Act project funding under the Infrastructure Act, MORE WATER Act, Fort Peck Water System Reauthorization Act, and Fort Peck Reservation Rural Water System reauthorization.

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

What We're Reading This Week

• Amazon sued by consumers over seafood sustainability claims: Consumers filed a lawsuit against Amazon, challenging its representations about seafood sustainability certification and marketing.
• The Mediterranean’s warming waters are drawing hundreds of invasive species: Climate shifts are linked to rising numbers of invasive marine species in the Mediterranean, impacting local fisheries.

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