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: 2026-02-15 to 2026-02-21

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

• 🏛️ This Week's Congressional Calendar
• 🇺🇸 Federal Government News
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

This Week's Congressional Calendar

• Senate Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water and Power: Multiple Water and Power Legislation – Hearing Scheduled: The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water and Power will hold a hearing February 24, 2026, at 3:30 p.m. ET covering S.1034, S.1242, S.2437, S.2753, S.3409, S.3500, S.3518, S.3635, S.3684, S.3693, S.3723, S.3725, S.3732, S.3736, S.3737, S.3738, S.3743, and S.3792, focusing on water resource management, hydropower, and aquatic species conservation.

Federal Government News

2026 and Projected 2027 Specifications for Summer Flounder, Scup, Black Sea Bass, and Bluefish Fisheries Announced

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) issued final 2026 specifications and projected 2027 specifications for summer flounder, scup, black sea bass, and bluefish in federal waters off the Northeastern U.S. Effective February 19, 2026, new commercial and recreational quotas include notable increases for summer flounder (45% commercial, 38% recreational), black sea bass (31% commercial, 30% recreational), and bluefish (54% commercial, 30% recreational). Adjustments reflect updated assessments and management buffer calculations, with sector allocations determined by management plans and prior-year overages. For bluefish, recreational possession limits have been increased for both for-hire and private vessels, while catch limits account for rebuilding requirements under an ongoing plan. Recreational catch overages for scup and black sea bass are to be addressed separately. No changes are implemented to existing commercial management measures for any of the four species.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

FDA Requests Comments on Procedures for Safe Processing and Importing of Fishery Products

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a 60-day comment period on its proposed extension of information collection for safe and sanitary processing and importing of fish and fishery products. The collection supports regulations requiring hazard analysis and critical control point (HACCP) recordkeeping for U.S. processors and importers. Obligations include records on monitoring, corrective actions, reassessment of plans, sanitation controls, and import verification, with annual recordkeeping burden estimates detailed in the agency's federal notice. Comments must be submitted electronically or in writing by April 20, 2026. These requirements are part of FDA's statutory obligations under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to ensure seafood safety.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Pacific Fishery Management Council Launches 2026 Ocean Salmon Regulation Development Process

The Pacific Fishery Management Council began a multi-stage regulatory process to develop management measures for the 2026 ocean salmon fisheries off Washington, Oregon, and California. Public comment opportunities are scheduled in March and April 2026, including in-person hearings and online submissions. Draft management alternatives will be circulated on March 26, 2026, followed by Council adoption of final recommendations at the April meeting. All documents and comment procedures are accessible on the Council’s website, with deadlines for written comments aligned with major sessions.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

NMFS Proposes Rebuilding Plan for Overfished Queets River Chinook Salmon Stock

NMFS posted a proposed rule to approve and implement the Pacific Fishery Management Council's rebuilding plan for Queets River Spring/Summer Chinook salmon, a stock designated as overfished in 2023. The plan relies on the ongoing management framework under the Salmon Fishery Management Plan (FMP), retaining conservation benchmarks and escapement goals with no change to harvest policy. Analysis indicates low probability of near-term rebuilding, with management actions governed by collaborative tribal agreements and Pacific Salmon Treaty requirements. Comments on the proposal must be submitted by March 23, 2026. The rule does not impose new information collection requirements or have significant economic impacts according to regulatory review.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

NMFS Closes Directed Fishing for Pacific Cod by Small Hook-and-Line Vessels in Central Gulf of Alaska

NMFS announced a closure of directed Pacific cod fishing for catcher vessels under 50 feet using hook-and-line gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska. The action, effective February 15, 2026, is necessary as the A season allowance of 1,927 metric tons has been reached based on catch data. The remaining quota is set aside for incidental catch to support other groundfish fisheries in the area. This closure is required under the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska, and was implemented promptly due to recent data showing quota attainment.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• Ecuadorean shrimp sales rebound in 2025, surpass oil exports-producers' association: Ecuador’s shrimp exports in 2025 exceeded oil exports, according to local producers.
• For Two Weeks, Wisconsinites Try to Spear an Elusive 200-Pound Fish: Wisconsin celebrates its annual sturgeon spearing season, targeting massive fish under ice.
• Tariff Ruling Sets Off Scramble to Figure Out What Comes Next: Recent tariff actions by U.S. authorities cause market uncertainty for trade-dependent sectors.

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