August 23, 2026 to August 29, 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

• House Rules Committee: Northeast Lobsterman Protection Act and North Atlantic Right Whale Regulations: The House Rules Committee will convene August 31, 2026 to consider H.R. 9436, which extends North Atlantic right whale regulations and addresses lobster industry impacts, scheduled for Room H-313, Capitol.

Federal Government News

Monkfish Fishery Management Plan Updated: Framework Adjustment 17 Finalized

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) issued the final rule for Framework Adjustment 17 to the Monkfish Fishery Management Plan, effective September 28, 2026. This measure sets specifications for monkfish in the Northern and Southern Fishery Management Areas for fishing years 2026–2028 based on updated scientific data. Catch limits remain status quo relative to previous years with a 3 percent decrease in the Target Total Allowable Landings for the northern area and less than 1 percent increase for the southern area, reflecting slight changes in expected discards. The rule streamlines procedures for quota overage accountability, assigning implementation to the NMFS Regional Administrator and adding newly codified default specifications if no annual regulations are issued. NMFS confirmed the rule’s compliance with the Magnuson-Stevens Act and regulatory requirements; specific details and tables are available through the New England Fishery Management Council.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Pacific Cod TAC Reallocated and Fishery Reopened in Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands

NMFS has reallocated unused Pacific cod quotas from jig gear vessels and large catcher vessels using hook-and-line gear to catcher vessels under 60 feet using hook-and-line or pot gear for the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area. The total allocation for small catcher vessels rises to 4,207 metric tons, and directed fishing for these vessels reopens starting September 1, 2026. The previous closures are lifted based on updated August catch data indicating sufficient harvest capacity and remaining TAC. The rule is issued under Magnuson-Stevens Act authority and is exempt from Executive Order 12866 review.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Pacific Halibut Non-Tribal Fishery: Fifth Commercial Opener Scheduled

NMFS has announced an additional commercial fishing period for Pacific halibut in Area 2A, to run September 1–3, 2026 with a catch limit of 5,000 pounds per vessel. As of late August, roughly 80 percent of the annual allocation has been harvested; 51,415 pounds remain. The action is intended to maximize utilization of the fleet’s allocation and is implemented via an inseason adjustment as prescribed in prior rulemaking. Notification was distributed August 25, and the effective date waives notice and comment requirements.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Commercial Gulf Shrimp Permit Moratorium Extension Proposed

NMFS published a proposed rule to extend the commercial shrimp vessel permit moratorium in the Gulf of America through October 26, 2036. If adopted, the proposal would continue limiting access to the fishery, preserving permit value, and providing stability in a sector experiencing declining profitability and vessel numbers. The average number of valid permits fell from 1,933 in 2008 to about 1,287 by 2024. The rule is subject to public comment until September 24, 2026; permit transfers and renewal conditions remain unchanged. An alternative option for a five-year extension is also open for comment.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Scallop Management: Upcoming Council Meetings on FY 2027-28 Specifications

The New England Fishery Management Council scheduled a public meeting of its Scallop Joint Advisory Panel and Plan Development Team for September 9, 2026 in Boston and via webinar. The session will review 2026 survey data, preliminary projections, and develop alternatives for FY 2027 and 2028 specifications—covering catch limits, days-at-sea, observer set-asides, and access area allocations. Discussion will also address Framework 42, which proposes delineation of Georges Bank and Mid-Atlantic days-at-sea and sub-management regions within the Northern Gulf of Maine.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• A court ruling could reshape fishing on North Carolina's coast: North Carolina fisheries face legal challenges affecting shrimp trawling and gillnetting.
• There’s a U.S.-Canada Border War—in Bass Fishing: Competition escalates at the U.S.-Canada border, impacting bass fishing tournament regulations.
• Canada excludes US seafood from retaliatory tariffs: Canadian government omits US seafood from its latest retaliatory tariff package.
• A Billionaire CEO, a Hamptons Town and the Endless Fight Over a Seafood Shack: A legal dispute persists in Montauk over a seafood restaurant involving business and local regulatory action.

.