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: 2026-02-02 to 2026-02-08

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

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

Federal Government News

Trump Revokes Commercial Fishing Ban in the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Monument

On February 6, President Donald J. Trump issued a proclamation restoring regulated commercial fishing access to approximately 4,913 square miles of the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument, reversing prohibitions reimposed by President Biden in 2021 and initially set by President Obama in 2016. The proclamation points to protections already enforced under federal laws, including the Magnuson-Stevens Act and Endangered Species Act. Trump’s statement asserts that commercial fishing does not threaten the monument’s protected objects if managed under existing regulations and describes the move as supporting New England fishing communities and industries such as longline and lobster. Other measures referenced by Trump in related announcements include Pacific fishing area openings, regulatory reductions, and suspensions of offshore wind projects that could affect fisheries. The action is positioned as enhancing job creation and economic activity in coastal regions.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov, www.whitehouse.gov

Proposed Gear Marking Regulations for Pacific Coast Groundfish Fisheries

The National Marine Fisheries Service published a proposed rule on February 6 outlining mandatory gear marking and entanglement risk reduction measures for Pacific Coast groundfish fisheries using pot and bottom longline gear. The rule would require color-coded buoy tags (orange for pot gear, brown for longline), vessel identification, and marking the top 20 fathoms (37 meters) of vertical lines in gear-specific colors. Temporary marking methods are permitted for three years; manufactured line schemes become mandatory from January 2029. The rule also limits surface line length to 10 fathoms per set and modifies escape panel regulations for pot gear, aligning maximum cotton twine size with Alaska standards. These measures are designed to improve attribution of whale entanglements and reduce bycatch. NMFS is accepting public comments until March 9, and has published supporting regulatory analyses and an initial regulatory flexibility assessment.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Cordell Bank Groundfish Conservation Area Revision

NMFS has proposed removing the Cordell Bank Groundfish Conservation Area (GCA) off central California, replacing it with a Groundfish Exclusion Area (GEA) of 26.4 square miles situated within the existing bottom contact Essential Fish Habitat Conservation Area. This action would open about 40.1 square miles to non-trawl gear and 10.2 square miles to most trawl gear, while maintaining habitat protections. The GEA prohibits all groundfish fishing but allows transit with gear stowed. Regulatory revisions address overlapping closures and are expected to reduce complexity for fishery participants and enforcement. The proposal provides detailed maps and stock participation estimates, indicating anticipated limited effort shift toward newly opened areas due to habitat characteristics.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Bering Sea and Gulf of Alaska Cod Sector Closures

On February 5, NMFS announced temporary closures to directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher vessels less than 60 feet length overall using hook-and-line or pot gear, and by vessels greater than or equal to 60 feet using pot gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area. The closures are effective February 3 for the smaller vessels and February 4 for larger vessels, lasting through December 31 and September 1, respectively. These actions respond to the sector-specific quotas being reached. Meanwhile, Pacific cod fishing for catcher vessels using trawl gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska has been reopened until June 10 to facilitate full utilization of the A season TAC.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov, www.federalregister.gov, www.federalregister.gov

Administrative Amendment to the Crab FMP: Amendment 57

The North Pacific Fishery Management Council submitted Amendment 57 to the Fishery Management Plan for Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands King and Tanner Crabs. This housekeeping action proposes updates to informational content, reorganizes chapters, and aligns structure with other North Pacific FMPs. It does not change management measures or impact fisheries operations. The public review period is open until April 3 via the e-Rulemaking Portal or direct mail. Amendment 57 is intended to ensure the Crab FMP reflects recent stock and fishery status while meeting Magnuson-Stevens Act requirements.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Legislative Updates

Lower Yellowstone River Native Fish Conservation Act

Bill 6568 titled 'Lower Yellowstone River Native Fish Conservation Act' addresses water resources development for native fish in the Lower Yellowstone River. The latest action is recorded as subcommittee hearings held.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Clean Water Standards for PFAS Act of 2025

Bill 6668, 'Clean Water Standards for PFAS Act of 2025,' targets environmental protection standards related to PFAS contaminants. It has been referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.

Sources: www.congress.gov

PFAS Research and Development Reauthorization Act of 2025

Bill 6667, named 'PFAS Research and Development Reauthorization Act of 2025,' focuses on research and development for PFAS chemicals. It has been referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Affordable Clean Water Infrastructure Act

Bill 6464, 'Affordable Clean Water Infrastructure Act,' seeks enhancements in environmental protection infrastructure. The bill is currently referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.

Sources: www.congress.gov

To amend title 46, United States Code, regarding loans for fishing vessels

Bill 7350 proposes amendments to title 46, United States Code, affecting direct loans by the Department of Transportation and the Maritime Administration for financing fishing vessels. The latest action is referral to the House Committee on Armed Services.

Sources: www.congress.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• Trump ends Obama-era restrictions on commercial fishing in protected area off New England: President Trump lifts commercial fishing restrictions in the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts area.
• E&E News: Ore., Wash., tribes head back to court after salmon deal collapse: Oregon and Washington tribes initiate legal action following the breakdown of a salmon conservation agreement.
• Trump vows to ‘unleash’ commercial fishing off New England, reversing Obama-era Atlantic restrictions: Trump announces plans to open Atlantic fishing areas, reversing earlier restrictions.

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