Saving Seafood

April 2026 Council Meeting Summary

April 22, 2026 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:

The New England Fishery Management Council met from April 14-16, 2026, in Portland, Maine. The following is a summary of actions taken and issues considered during the meeting. Presentations, meeting materials, motions, and meeting audio recordings are available on the Council’s April 2026 meeting page.

ACROSS THE STOCKS

Monkfish and Skates: The Council considered input from the Joint Advisory Panels and Committees and voted to discontinue the 2026 priority related to IFQ Scoping for monkfish and/or skate wing fisheries. The Council approved a series of listening sessions for monkfish and skate fishermen across New England and the Mid-Atlantic to solicit input and ideas for fisheries and management improvements. Read the full press release here.

Herring: The Council received an update on the 2026 herring action that will:

• Set Atlantic herring specifications for fishing years 2027-2031.

• Enhance river herring and shad (American shad and hickory shad) avoidance and other catch reduction measures to support ongoing coastwide restoration efforts.

• Address other management measures such as the carryover of unharvested catch. This action will be initiated in June with Council final action planned for the September 2026 meeting.

Redfish Sector Exemption Review: The Council received a report evaluating the performance of the Redfish Sector Exemption program. This program allows commercial trawl vessels enrolled in sectors to target redfish with smaller mesh gear in designated areas. It was established as a universal sector exemption in the Northeast Multispecies (Groundfish) Fishery Management Plan (FMP) in Framework 61. The review found generally strong sector compliance with catch thresholds and stable participation. It also examined bycatch of other groundfish, vessellevel performance, and program goals and objectives. The review was a regulatory requirement and a 2026 Council Priority. Based on information from the review, the Council may consider modifications to the redfish sector exemption program in the future.

Groundfish Action Update: Framework 69, which set specifications for several groundfish stocks for fishing years 2025-2027, was implemented on March 8, 2026. Amendment 25 (A25), which incorporates the four Atlantic cod stocks (Eastern Gulf of Maine; Western Gulf of Maine; Georges Bank; and Southern New England) into the Northeast Multispecies FMP and sets status determination criteria and management measures for these stocks, including accountability measures, recreational provisions, and catch limits for fishing years 2026 and 2027, was approved by NMFS on April 6, 2026. The action received broad public support, with over 250 comments largely favoring timely approval and implementation. Final implementing regulations are forthcoming, with interim default allocations expected to be in place until the rule is finalized. Framework 72, which will set specifications for several groundfish stocks for FY2026-2028, is currently in review with anticipated implementation in the coming months.

Read the full release here

NOAA Fisheries Sets Management Measures for Northeast Multispecies Fishery

March 5, 2026 — The following was released by the NOAA Fisheries:

Today, NOAA Fisheries is approving updated management measures for the Northeast multispecies fishery (Framework 69). These measures, developed by the New England Fishery Management Council, establish catch limits for several multispecies stocks for fishing years 2025–2027, modify the accountability measure implementation catch threshold for the scallop fishery and several flatfish stocks, and remove certain reporting requirements for sectors. Allocations for two stocks of Atlantic cod were established in an emergency rule that went into effect on May 1, 2025, and are not changed by this action. Framework 69 also approves sector provisions and catch allocations for 2025 and 2026 fishing years, sets recreational measures for haddock, updates common pool possession limits, and clarifies and corrects regulations.

Read the final rule and the permit holder bulletin available at our website.

Stop-fishing notices spread as haddock delay drags on

March 4, 2026 — It has been almost a week since six New England groundfish sector managers formally petitioned the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) for relief on Framework 69, and, from the industry’s perspective, nothing has changed.

In a Feb. 27 letter addressed to Michael Pentony, regional administrator for NOAA’s Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office, the managers called the delay in approving Framework 69 “frankly ridiculous,” noting that there are only nine weeks (now eight weeks) left in the fishing year and that vessels are already being forced to stop fishing in the Gulf of Maine.

“We the undersigned Northeast groundfish sector managers petition for relief from the frankly ridiculous delay in what should have been a belated but routine approval of groundfish Framework 69,” the letter states.

Framework 69, approved by the New England Fishery Management Council in December 2024 and submitted to NMFS in March 2025, would increase the Gulf of Maine haddock quota by roughly 50 percent over the prior fishing year. But with the action still awaiting final signoff in Washington, D.C., that additional quota remains inaccessible on the water.

In the meantime, sector managers say they are running out of options.

Read the full article at the National Fisherman

Fishermen cast federal limits as untenable before First Circuit

March 3, 2026 — The federal government had no right to impose severe limits on how much haddock New England fishermen can catch, a fishermen’s group told the First Circuit Monday, but the judges seemed uncertain, peppering both sides with sharp questions over constitutional authority.

The New England Fishery Management Council, created by Congress in the 1970s to oversee commercial fishing operations, infuriated local fishermen in 2023 by slashing haddock catch limits by more than 80% while placing additional restrictions on hake and cod.

A fishermen’s group sued, claiming the council was unconstitutional because it wasn’t subject to executive branch control as required by the appointments clause. Although council members exercise federal authority, they’re selected by state officials, not federal officials, and most can be removed only by a two-thirds vote of fellow members.

A federal judge in Maine agreed the council was unconstitutional, but he tried to remedy the problem by rewriting the law to limit the members’ powers, which would make them employees rather than federal officers. And he left the catch limits in place — finding that while the limits harmed fishermen’s livelihoods, they didn’t amount to “significant” federal action.

At oral argument, the judges struggled to determine whether the council members were officers who exercised significant federal authority and whether that meant the haddock rule must be struck down.

Read the full article at Courthouse News Service

Northern Wind turns to consolidation and value-added meals in the wake of low scallop quotas

February 27, 2026 — Scallop quotas in the U.S. Northeast have fallen sharply in recent years, with the New England Fishery Management Council projecting landings of just 17.1 million pounds in 2026 – a dramatic decline from the record 60 million pounds harvested in 2019.

Left with a dwindling supply of local scallops, companies in the region have had to rely more on imports – a situation that has been made more complicated by U.S. President Donald Trump’s ever-changing tariff program.

Read the full article at SeafoodSource

Gulf of Maine haddock quota stalled as boats near tying up

February 23, 2026 — For commercial fishermen in the Gulf of Maine, spring typically means fresh haddock.

It’s the time of year when the fish show up thick, boats can finally make steady trips, and crews start to see paychecks that carry them through the lean months. But this year, instead of chasing the fish, Gulf of Maine (GOM) groundfishermen are waiting and watching their quota meters hit zero.

Framework 69, the regulatory vehicle that would increase the GOM haddock quota by 50 percent due to assessments of the stock, is stuck in federal review at NOAA’s level, despite being approved by the New England Fishery Management Council and signed on Dec. 4, 2024.

In the meantime, boats are nearing the limit of haddock they’re legally allowed to land.

“We were, for instance, four weeks ago, on track at the current quota level to be out of Gulf of Maine haddock quota right around the end of this year,” said Hank Soule, manager of the Sustainable Harvest Sector. New England sectors are self-managed groups of commercial fishing vessels holding limited access permits for Northeast multispecies (groundfish), including haddock.

“Right now, we’re on track to run out of Gulf of Maine haddock quota by late March,” said Soule. For groundfishing, that means a year reset on May 1, which is beyond devastating to fishermen.

Read the full article at National Fisherman

MASSACHUSETTS: Fishing council mourns loss of seven people in Gloucester fishing boat tragedy

February 6, 2026 — The council that oversees New England’s fishing industry on Friday recognized the loss of seven people who were aboard a fishing vessel when it sank off the coast of Cape Ann on Jan. 30.

“The New England Fishery Management Council extends our sincere condolences to the families, loved ones, and fishing communities affected by the tragic sinking of the F/V Lily Jean” the council said in a statement.

Seven people perished in the tragedy — the captain, Accursio “Gus” Sanfilippo, Paul Beal Sr., Paul Beal Jr., John Rousanidis, Freeman Short, Sean Therrien, and Jada Samitt, a NOAA fisheries observer who was aboard the vessel.

Read the full article at the The Boston Globe

Remembrance of the F/V Lily Jean

February 6, 2026 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:

The New England Fishery Management Council extends our sincere condolences to the families, loved ones, and fishing communities affected by the tragic sinking of the F/V Lily Jean on Friday, January 30, 2026.

A full remembrance, along with information on how to support the families impacted by this loss, is available here.

NEFMC: Council Addresses Recreational Groundfishing and Initiates Updates to Habitat Designations

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:

  • Open season: October 1 – October 31

  • Minimum size: 23 inches

  • Possession limit: 1 fish per day

Gulf of Maine Haddock

  • Open season: May 1 – February 28/29 and April 1 – April 30

  • Minimum size: 17 inches

  • 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.

Council Solicits Contractor Proposals to Support Development of Atlantic Sea Scallop Stock Projection Methods

January 27, 2026 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:

The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is seeking proposals from qualified independent contractors to assist with the development of enhanced stock projection methods to support management of the Atlantic sea scallop fishery. Read the full RFP.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Proposals must be received no later than February 13, 2026. Work is expected to begin on or about February 23, 2026, and conclude by April 1, 2027. 

WHAT IS THE PROJECT: This is a temporary contractor position that will work with Council and NOAA staff and technical advisors to develop and evaluate improved methods for forecasting exploitable scallop biomass and abundance to support sustainable fishery. See the full RFP. 

TO APPLY: Interested professionals are encouraged to submit a letter of interest, current resume or CV, examples of similar work completed for other organizations or publications, and budget with expected expenses. In addition, applicants should describe the approach that would be used to meet the requirements of this project, including deliverables. Travel expenses need not be included in the budget as approved travel will be reimbursed by the Council.  

 Letters of interest and supporting materials should be received no later than February 13, 2025, email submissions are highly encouraged and can be sent to cokeefe@nefmc.org or mailed to: 

 Dr. Cate O’Keefe 

New England Fishery Management Council 

50 Water Street, Mill 2 

Newburyport, MA 01950 

Questions regarding this solicitation should be directed to the same contact.