NMFS issues regulations to implement Amendment 55 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic (FMP), as prepared and submitted by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council). This final rule removes yellowmouth grouper from the other South Atlantic shallow water grouper (other SASWG) complex and establishes a new scamp and yellowmouth grouper complex. This final rule establishes catch levels, sector management measures, and accountability measures (AM) for the new scamp and yellowmouth grouper complex and establishes catch levels for the revised other SASWG complex. In addition, Amendment 55 establishes a rebuilding plan, sector allocations, and status determination criteria (SDC) for the scamp and yellowmouth grouper complex. The purpose of this final rule and Amendment 55 is to rebuild the scamp and yellowmouth grouper stock and achieve optimum yield (OY) while minimizing to the extent practicable adverse social and economic effects.
Today, the European Commission adopted OceanEye to expand the EU's role in ocean observation. The initiative aims to position the EU as the world's leading provider of ocean intelligence by contributing to 35% of the global ocean observing system by 2035 and securing 35% of the market for ocean
NMFS is prohibiting fishing with large-mesh drift gillnet (DGN) gear (>=14 inches mesh) off the coast of southern California east of 120[deg] W meridian from June 1, 2026, through August 31, 2026. This prohibition is based on the fact that the NOAA Climate Prediction Center (CPC) has indicated that the sea surface temperature off the coast of southern California for March and April is warmer than normal and there is an 82 percent probability that El Ni[ntilde]o conditions may occur between May-July. This action protects Endangered Species Act-listed loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta), specifically the endangered North Pacific Ocean Distinct Population Segment.
NMFS implements an accountability measure (AM) and closure for the recreational harvest of snowy grouper in South Atlantic Federal waters. NMFS reduces the length of the snowy grouper 2026 recreational fishing season to prevent landings from exceeding the recreational annual catch limit (ACL) in 2026 as they did in 2025. Accordingly, NMFS announces the adjusted closure date for the snowy grouper 2026 recreational fishing season in South Atlantic Federal waters to protect the snowy grouper resource.
NMFS is decreasing the Harpoon category daily retention limit from the default of no more than a combined total of 10 large medium and giant bluefin tuna (BFT) (i.e., measuring 73 inches (185 cm) or greater curved fork length (CFL)), to no more than a combined total of 5 large medium and giant BFT. The incidental catch limit of two large medium BFT per vessel per day/trip remains unchanged. This retention limit applies to Atlantic Tunas Harpoon category permitted vessels from June 1 through the remainder of the 2026 Harpoon category fishing season, which concludes on November 15, 2026, or until further modified.
NMFS implements an accountability measure (AM) for the recreational harvest of greater amberjack in Federal waters of the Gulf of America (Gulf). The 2026-2027 fishing season for greater amberjack begins on September 1, 2026. NMFS has projected that recreational landings of greater amberjack will reach the annual catch target (ACT) by October 14, 2026. Therefore, the recreational fishing season will be open from September 1 through October 13 and will close on October 14, 2026. NMFS implements this recreational AM to protect the greater amberjack resource.
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), designate critical habitat for the rusty patched bumble bee (Bombus affinis), a bumble bee historically known to occur broadly across the eastern United States and portions of Canada, under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). In total, we are designating approximately 1,534,951 acres (621,172 hectares) of occupied critical habitat in 14 units across 33 counties in 6 States.
Small craft harbours are vital infrastructure for coastal and rural communities, supporting fishing and transportation industries, and the local economies built around them. Canada's commercial fisheries, aquaculture, and seafood processing sectors support nearly 65,000 jobs — including more than 42,900 commercial fish harvesters — from coast to coast to coast. In 2025, Canada’s fish and seafood exports totaled $8.47 billion.
The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) has informed applicants of the outcome of the ballot for commercial bluefin tuna authorisations for the 2026 fishery.
NMFS is adjusting the Angling category Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) daily retention limit from the default of one school, large school, or small medium BFT to: two BFT per vessel per day/trip measuring 27 inches (68.5 cm) to less than 73 inches (185 cm) curved fork length (CFL), only one of which can be large school/small medium- sized fish (47 inches (119 cm) to less than 73 inches (185 cm) CFL) for private vessels with Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Angling category permits; three BFT per vessel per day/trip measuring 27 inches to less than 73 inches CFL, only one of which can be large school/small medium for charter boat vessels with HMS Charter/Headboat permits when fishing recreationally for BFT; and six BFT per vessel per day/trip measuring 27 inches to less than 73 inches CFL, only one of which can be large school/small medium for headboat vessels with HMS Charter/Headboat permits when fishing recreationally for BFT. These retention limits are effective in all areas, except for the Gulf of America, where targeted fishing for BFT is prohibited.