October 11, 2026 to October 17, 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 Cod Reallocation in Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands

NMFS has reallocated 350 metric tons of Pacific cod from catcher vessels using trawl gear to catcher vessels under 60 feet length overall using hook-and-line or pot gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area. This adjustment was made due to anticipated underharvest by trawl gear sectors and the demonstrated capacity of smaller catcher vessels to utilize the additional quota. The effective date of the reallocation runs from October 13 through December 31, 2026. The action did not undergo prior public comment because recent harvest data emerged only days earlier, and there is a need to ensure full TAC utilization within remaining fishing days.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Pacific Cod Reallocation in Gulf of Alaska

NMFS reallocated Pacific cod quota in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska. A total of 550 metric tons from catcher vessels using trawl gear and 100 metric tons from catcher/processors were transferred to catcher vessels using hook-and-line (250 mt) and pot gear (400 mt), as trawl sectors are projected not to harvest their allocations. Revised harvest specifications are 1,956 mt for trawl gear, 57 mt for catcher/processors, 341 mt for hook-and-line, and 2,880 mt for pot gear. The reallocation is valid from October 13 to December 31, 2026, and aims to ensure full TAC utilization as required under the Fishery Management Plan.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Pacific Ocean Perch Incidental Catch Closure in Gulf of Alaska

Retention of Pacific Ocean perch incidental catch in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska is prohibited for vessels not checked into the Central GOA Rockfish Program fishing with a cooperative quota permit. The 2026 TAC of 2,800 metric tons apportioned as incidental catch allowance has been reached. Vessels ineligible under the program must treat perch as a prohibited species for the rest of the year, unless using specific gear types or participating in the electronic monitoring program. NMFS invoked the closure on October 14, 2026, to prevent TAC exceedance.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Angling Category Quota Transfer

NMFS transferred 15 metric tons of Atlantic bluefin tuna quota from the Reserve category to the Angling category large school/small medium subquota, effective October 13, 2026. The adjustment increases the subquota to 188.4 mt and leaves the Reserve with 27 mt. Overall Angling category quota is now 356.3 mt. The transfer aims to provide additional harvest opportunity for recreational fishermen and supports scientific data collection efforts. Any future inseason adjustment or closure will depend on quota utilization. Catches must be reported within 24 hours, and released fish must be handled for survival.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Maine Summer Flounder Fishery Closed at Federal Level

On October 13, 2026, the National Marine Fisheries Service closed the 2026 summer flounder commercial fishery in Maine after the state's allocation of 15,283 pounds was harvested. Federally permitted vessels and dealers are now prohibited from landing or purchasing summer flounder in Maine unless quota is transferred from another state. The closure supports federal-state consistency and prevents overharvesting, in compliance with regulations under 50 CFR Part 648.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Magnuson-Stevens Act Rule: Pacific Coast Groundfish Gear Marking and Entanglement Risk Reduction

NMFS published a final rule implementing mandatory and voluntary gear marking requirements and entanglement risk reduction measures for Pacific coast groundfish fisheries, effective January 11, 2027. New requirements include gear-specific color schemes for marking buoys and the top 20 fathoms of vertical lines, maximum surface line lengths, changes to biodegradable escape panel placement, and escape panel twine size revisions. A voluntary single-line allowance eliminates the requirement for surface gear at both terminal ends, allowing vessels discretion on gear marking. Temporary line marking methods will be permitted for three years prior to mandatory colored manufactured line. The rule aims to improve attribution and reduce risk of entanglements in groundfish fixed gear fisheries.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Framework Adjustment 7 to Atlantic Spiny Dogfish FMP Proposed

NMFS proposed measures in Framework Adjustment 7 to the Atlantic Spiny Dogfish Fishery Management Plan, recommending fishing year 2026 and projected 2027 specifications. The proposal includes coast-wide commercial quotas, accountability measures based on a three-year average evaluation, and reduced overage payback when stock is considered healthy. The commercial quota for 2026 would decrease by 1.5% to 9.2 million pounds. Full paybacks would be required only when stock biomass falls below 75% of the target or is under a rebuilding plan.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Marine Mammals and Endangered Species: Permits Issued

NMFS issued three permits under the Marine Mammal Protection Act and Endangered Species Act for research activities by Jennifer Burns, Ph.D. (University of Maryland Center for Environmental Sciences), Robin Trayler, Ph.D. (UC Merced), and Katrina Phillips, Ph.D. (Dauphin Island Sea Lab). The permits were issued in September 2026 and are available upon request. All proposed activities were found exempt from further environmental assessment under the National Environmental Policy Act.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

President Trump Visits Alaska: Overview of State-Federal Initiatives

On October 13, 2026, President Trump visited Alaska to discuss administration actions affecting fisheries, energy, military, and economic growth. Initiatives cited included billions in military investments, reopening of the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska, new pipelines and energy infrastructure, and efforts to protect fisheries valued in the billions, along with resource development policies. The visit was framed by recent declines in crime rates and a series of tax relief measures, with reference to ongoing federal support for Alaskan food production and seafood supply chains.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov

Congressional Bills S. 240, S. 283, and S. 2403 Signed into Law

On October 15, 2026, the President signed S. 240 (Crow Tribe Water Rights Settlement Amendments), S. 283 (Illegal Red Snapper and Tuna Enforcement Act), and S. 2403 (Retire through Ownership Act). S. 283 directs the Department of Commerce to establish a methodology based on chemical analysis for determining the country of origin of seafood, which may affect enforcement protocols and trade verification in the seafood industry. The other bills address water projects and retirement regulations.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• 5-year probe by a journalistic nonprofit: "Dirty secret behind the farmed fish you eat": Investigative report details hidden practices in farmed fish production and feed sourcing.
• How Climate Change Is Causing ‘the Gentrification of Seafood’: Article discusses how environmental shifts are raising prices and changing consumer access to shellfish and other seafood.
• A Miso Fish Chowder That Really Satisfies: Culinary feature reviews a satisfying miso-based chowder using various fish species.
• Midway to 2030 deadline, countries falling far short on promise to protect nature: Assessment finds nations lagging behind biodiversity protection commitments and targets.
• Michigan communities invest millions in their rivers. Will it bring returns?: Report examines restoration projects in Michigan rivers and analyzes their environmental and economic outcomes.
• Fish, Oil and Corruption: 6 Takeaways From Alaska’s Senate Debate: Article summarizes the role of fisheries, resource development, and ethics in Alaska’s recent Senate debate.

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