January 30, 2026 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:
The New England Fishery Management Council (NEFMC) met virtually for their January Council meeting and took actions on the recreational groundfish measures and initiated an Essential Fish Habitat Framework. The Council received updates on a range of initiatives, including strategic planning and risk policy work.
GROUNDFISH RECREATIONAL MEASURES RECOMMENDED TO GARFO
AFTER ADJUSTMENT FOR DATA DELAYS
The Council made recommendations for recreational fishing measures for fishing year (FY) 2026 for Western Gulf of Maine (WGOM) cod and GOM haddock. The Recreational Advisory Panel (RAP) and Groundfish Committee provided recommendations for the Council’s consideration. However, due to the federal government shutdown, updated Marine Recreational Information Program (MRIP) data were received after the RAP and Committee reviews.
This new “wave 5” MRIP data, from September and October, showed higher cod catch and mortality than previously analyzed and indicated the RAP and Committee recommendations no longer met the criterion of 50% of model runs remaining under both the cod and haddock recreational sub-ACLs.
The Council’s fishing year 2026 recommendations for Atlantic cod are based on the new understanding of cod stock structure, with the intent for implementation of the new cod stock units (including WGOM cod) for May 1, 2026, through Amendment 25 (Revised). Emergency measures remain in place for FY2025 under the existing 2-stock management units, and the Council will transmit a letter to NOAA Fisheries while the final submission on Amendment 25 (Revised) moves toward implementation.
Council Recommendations to GARFO
Western Gulf of Maine Cod:
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Open season: October 1 – October 31
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Minimum size: 23 inches
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Possession limit: 1 fish per day
Gulf of Maine Haddock
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Open season: May 1 – February 28/29 and April 1 – April 30
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Minimum size: 17 inches
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Possession limit: 15 fish per day
The measures would reduce the current cod open season by one month to October only and maintain the minimum size for haddock proposed for FY2025 but not yet implemented. The Council’s recommendations now go to GARFO for final determination.
Marine Recreational Information Program (MRIP) has redesigned its Fishing Effort Survey, with testing showing improved accuracy and fewer reporting errors. The new design will be implemented in 2026.
NOAA Fisheries is also advancing a state-federal recreational data partnership and a strengthened review process to improve the accuracy, transparency, and timeliness of recreational catch estimates.