NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific ocean perch in the West Yakutat District of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2026 total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific ocean perch in the West Yakutat District of the GOA.
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for dusky rockfish in the West Yakutat District of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2026 total allowable catch (TAC) of dusky rockfish in the West Yakutat District of the GOA.
NMFS proposes to implement management measures described in Framework Amendment 14 under the Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for the Coastal Migratory Pelagic (CMP) Resources in the Gulf and Atlantic Region, as prepared by the Gulf and South Atlantic Fishery Management Councils (Councils). If implemented, this proposed rule would modify the annual catch limit (ACL) for the Gulf migratory group of Spanish mackerel (Spanish mackerel) in the Gulf of America (Gulf) based on the results of the most recent stock assessment. Additionally, this proposed rule would modify the current accountability measure (AM) for Gulf Spanish mackerel from an in-season closure AM to a post-season AM. The purpose of these regulatory changes is to ensure the stock ACL and AM are based on the best scientific information available and to achieve optimum yield (OY).
This final rule implements regulations for amendment 36 to the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan (Groundfish FMP). The regulations include management measures that apply to vessels registered to limited entry fixed gear (LEFG) endorsed permits and LEFG permit owners in the Pacific Coast groundfish fishery. Specifically, NMFS will: add flexibility to the LEFG permits' gear endorsements; remove the base permit designation of LEFG permits; remove the start and end times (i.e., hours of the day) for the open dates of the primary sablefish season; and develop a cost recovery program for the LEFG primary sablefish fishery. The purpose of this action is to provide increased flexibility to LEFG participants while reducing administrative burdens, and to develop a cost recovery program to meet the requirements of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act).
Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), in partnership with the Manitoba government, has completed the second aquatic invasive species (AIS) roadside inspection blitz of the 2026 summer season. The operation took place on Highway 1 (the Trans-Canada Highway) near the Manitoba-Ontario border, from June 19 to 21, 2026. These inspections support ongoing efforts to protect freshwater ecosystems and biodiversity by intercepting vehicles transporting watercraft and equipment that may carry aquatic invasive species, including Zebra and Quagga Mussels.
NMFS announces that the State of North Carolina is transferring a portion of its 2026 commercial summer flounder quota to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. This adjustment to the 2026 fishing year quota is necessary to comply with the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fishery Management Plan (FMP) quota transfer provisions. This announcement informs the public of the revised 2026 commercial quotas for North Carolina and Massachusetts.
NMFS announces that the Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) submitted amendment 38 to the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan (Groundfish FMP) to the Secretary of Commerce for review. If approved, amendment 38 would revise the Groundfish FMP to reflect the rebuilt status of yelloweye rockfish and the California stock of quillback rockfish, removing all references to their respective rebuilding plans from the FMP. In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, NMFS also announces the availability of a draft EA that analyzes the potential effects of the action. NMFS requests public comment on the draft EA.
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by American Fisheries Act (AFA) trawl catcher/processors in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the annual 2026 Pacific cod total allowable catch (TAC) allocated to AFA trawl catcher/processors in the BSAI.
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce a 12-month finding on a petition to list the San Francisco Estuary (SFE) distinct population segment (DPS) of white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus; San Francisco Estuary white sturgeon) as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). After a thorough review of the best available scientific and commercial information, we find that listing the SFE DPS of white sturgeon as an endangered or threatened species is warranted but precluded by higher priority actions to amend the Lists of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants. We will develop a proposed rule to list the SFE DPS white sturgeon as our priorities allow. However, we ask the public to submit to us any new information relevant to the status of the species or its habitat at any time.
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), determine endangered species status under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (Act), as amended, for two Florida species, the Key ring-necked snake (Diadophis punctatus acricus) and the rim rock crowned snake (Tantilla oolitica). This rule extends the protections of the Act to these species.