September 27, 2026 to October 03, 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
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

Federal Government News

Pacific Sardine 2026-2027 Specifications Restrict Directed Fishery

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) finalized annual harvest specifications and management measures for the northern subpopulation of Pacific sardine for July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027. The action prohibits most directed commercial fishing for Pacific sardine off Washington, Oregon, and California, restricting harvest to live bait, minor directed fisheries, incidental catch, or under exempted fishing permits. Incidental sardine harvest is limited to 20% by weight per trip with other CPS stocks or up to 2 metric tons with non-CPS stocks. For 2026-2027, the overfishing limit is set at 4,645 metric tons (mt), the acceptable biological catch is 3,613 mt, the annual catch limit is 2,200 mt, and the annual catch target is 2,100 mt. The restriction follows a 2025 stock assessment and is aimed at rebuilding the Pacific sardine stock with continued closure of the primary directed fishery. The ruling also addresses public comments from industry and individuals concerning stock assessment methodologies.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Final Rule Implements Aggregate Vessel Limits and Transit Changes for South Atlantic Snapper-Grouper Fishery

NMFS published regulations implementing Regulatory Amendment 36 to the Snapper-Grouper Fishery Management Plan for the South Atlantic, effective October 28, 2026. The rule establishes an aggregate recreational vessel limit of two gag or black grouper in any combination per day for private vessels and two per trip for for-hire vessels. This replaces prior separate species-specific vessel limits. The amendment also revises transit rules for commercial fishermen carrying on-demand (ropeless) black sea bass pots; these vessels may now transit through marine protected areas and spawning management zones with buoys attached, provided pots are not baited. The regulatory changes are designed to align with Magnuson-Stevens Act mandates for preventing overfishing and facilitating compliance for vessels using ropeless gear. NMFS considered public comments and made no changes to the proposed rule as a result.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Queets River Spring/Summer Chinook Salmon Rebuilding Plan Finalized

On September 28, 2026, NMFS issued a final rule establishing a rebuilding plan for Queets River Spring/Summer Chinook salmon, addressing the stock's overfished status as determined in October 2023 by low three-year mean escapement. The new plan, developed under the guidance of the Pacific Fishery Management Council, sets recovery benchmarks consistent with the Pacific Coast Salmon Fishery Management Plan. The rule is effective October 28, 2026, following consultation with tribal authorities, and involves amendments to federal regulatory code.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

NOAA Seeks Public Comment on Sea Otter Interaction Reporting in CPS Fisheries

NOAA announced a request for public comment concerning the renewal of requirements for reporting interactions between southern sea otters and vessels participating in Coastal Pelagic Species (CPS) fisheries. Under 50 CFR 660.520, vessel operators must report sea otter entanglements within 24 hours and all other interactions, including sightings near nets or vessels, within 20 days. Reporting is intended to ensure compliance with the Endangered Species Act and currently involves two respondents and an estimated total annual burden of one hour. Comments are solicited via www.reginfo.gov within 30 days.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Bering Sea Groundfish Reserves Apportioned to Enable Continued Fisheries Operations

On September 30, 2026, NMFS announced a temporary rule apportioning non-specified reserves to the initial total allowable catch (ITAC) for Bering Sea Pacific ocean perch, northern rockfish, and 'other flatfish' in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area. The action adds 1,486 mt to ocean perch ITAC (for a new ITAC of 9,905 mt), 1,800 mt to northern rockfish (now 12,000 mt), and 675 mt to 'other flatfish' (now 4,500 mt). This apportionment is designed to maintain fishing operations and align with fishery management plan goals. NMFS is accepting comments on this temporary rule until October 15, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• In the World’s Tuna Capital, Fishermen Are Being Drawn Into a Deadly Drug War: Ecuador’s tuna fishermen are increasingly caught in violent conflicts linked to narcotics trafficking.

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