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: 2026-03-01 to 2026-03-07

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

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

This Week's Congressional Calendar

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Federal Government News

Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Amendment 15 Finalized

NOAA has finalized Amendment 15 to the 2006 Consolidated Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Fishery Management Plan. The rule, effective April 3, 2026, adjusts closed area boundaries and timings for the Mid-Atlantic, Charleston Bump, East Florida, and DeSoto Canyon regions, establishes high- and low-bycatch-risk areas, and modifies electronic monitoring requirements for vessels operating in specific monitoring areas. Effort caps and cost-sharing rules for electronic monitoring are specified for fleet members choosing to fish in new access areas. The amendment follows multiple rounds of public comments, stock assessment input, and formal environmental review. Detailed regulatory and procedural changes are included in the published rule text.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Magnuson-Stevens Act: 2026 Pacific Whiting Tribal Allocation Proposed

NOAA has issued a proposed rule under the Magnuson-Stevens Act to establish the 2026 Tribal allocation of Pacific whiting and a set-aside for research and incidental mortality in non-groundfish fisheries. The proposal sets the Tribal allocation at 17.5% of the U.S. total allowable catch (TAC) and maintains a 750 metric ton set-aside for research and bycatch, consistent with recent years’ practices. The Makah Tribe indicated intent to participate in the 2026 fishery, while other eligible Tribes declined. The comment period runs until March 23, 2026. NMFS aims to finalize harvest specifications ahead of the fishery's May 1 opening to allow industry planning.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Gulf Reef Fish Fishery; Amendment 58B Proposal

Amendment 58B to the Gulf of America Reef Fish Fishery Management Plan is open for public comment through May 4, 2026. The proposal would revise catch limits, sector allocations, and accountability measures for the deep-water grouper complex, including reductions in allowable catch levels and establishment of a recreational annual catch limit. The amendment reflects input from the Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee and incorporates updated stock assessment methodologies, particularly for yellowedge grouper. The proposed action responds to signs of overfishing and aims to align management with the best available scientific information.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Definition of Shellfish Expanded to Include Cephalopods

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed a regulatory amendment to the definition of 'shellfish' under 50 CFR Part 10, expanding it to include cephalopods such as squid, cuttlefish, and octopus. The change eliminates the historical 'having a shell' qualifier, aligning the regulation with current biological and commercial seafood conventions. The deregulatory move is expected to lower compliance costs for seafood importers and distributors while not creating new reporting requirements. Public comment is open through April 6, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Alaska: Pacific Cod Pot Gear Closure in Central Gulf

Effective March 2, 2026, NMFS prohibited directed fishing for Pacific cod with pot gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska. The closure follows rapid attainment of the A season TAC (3,688 metric tons). The action, based on recent catch data and the Groundfish Fishery Management Plan for the GOA, is to prevent exceeding seasonal harvest limits. The notice became effective immediately and remains in place through September 1, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• Should You Order That Fish? Menus Have a New Way to Help.: Monterey Bay Aquarium's Seafood Watch launches a program integrating sustainability ratings directly into restaurant menus.
• ‘It’s too warm': Greenland’s fishermen are under threat from climate change: Greenland’s coastal fishing communities face operational challenges as warming waters disrupt traditional stocks.

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