June 24, 2026 — The following was released by the The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council:
The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council welcomed a final rule published today by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) which clarifies that squid and other cephalopods are included within the regulatory definition of “shellfish.” This change brings the definition in line with current biological understanding and addresses a long-standing concern of the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council and the U.S. squid industry.
Previously, squid were not recognized by USFWS as “shellfish” or “fishery products” and therefore did not qualify for an exemption from certain import and export rules intended to prevent the unauthorized trade of endangered and protected wildlife. While virtually all other U.S. commercial fishery products qualified for the exemption, the U.S. squid industry remained subject to additional licensing, inspection, and user fees that industry members described as duplicative and costly.
The Council has long maintained that these requirements placed U.S. squid producers at a competitive disadvantage in international markets. The issue was identified as a top priority in the Council’s responses to both Executive Order 13921 on Promoting American Seafood Competitiveness and Economic Growth (2020) and Executive Order 14276 on Restoring American Seafood Competitiveness (2025). The Council has detailed the economic impacts of the previous definition in multiple communications to leadership at the Department of the Interior, USFWS, and NOAA Fisheries, including a comprehensive request for action sent to the Secretary of Interior in December 2020.
“We are pleased to see this final rule published,” said Council Executive Director Chris Moore. “This is a common-sense change that will reduce unnecessary regulatory burdens on the U.S. squid industry while improving consistency and clarity in federal regulations. We appreciate the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s responsiveness to stakeholder concerns, as well as the support from our partners at NOAA Fisheries in helping to achieve this outcome.”
The Mid-Atlantic Council manages Atlantic longfin squid and Illex squid fisheries in federal waters off the U.S. East Coast as part of its Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fishery Management Plan. For additional background information related to this issue, visit the Council’s website.