Saving Seafood

Council Proposes Catch Limits for Scallops and Some Groundfish Stocks

December 12, 2025 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:

The New England Fishery Management Council (NEFMC) took several major actions at its December 2–4, 2025 meeting including setting Fishing Year (FY) 2026 scallop Days-at-Sea, approving U.S./Canada transboundary stock Total Allowable Catches (TACs), and approving Framework Adjustment 72 for groundfish.

SCALLOPS: COUNCIL SETS 36 DAS, APPROVES NGOM MEASURES, AND ADOPTS STRATEGIC PLAN

The Council approved Framework Adjustment 40, which sets 36 Days-at-Sea (DAS) for full-time Limited Access scallop vessels for FY 2026. The decision followed extensive debate on alternatives ranging from the Scallop Committee’s recommendation of 34 DAS to the Advisory Panel’s preferred option of 38 DAS. Scientific analysis indicated low overfishing risk under all alternatives. The discussion included testimony from Massachusetts State Senator Mark Montigny and numerous industry representatives.

The final action adopted:

  • 36 Days-at-Sea for full-time Limited Access permit holders and 14.4 Days-at-Sea for part-time

    Limited Access permit holders. No access-area trips will be available this year.

  • Closure of Area II (Closed Area II – South and Extension) and Nantucket Lightship (South and

    North).

  • A 60-day carryover period for FY 2025 access-area trips to Area I would begin on April 1. Area I would not have a delayed opening from April 1, 2026 – May 15, 2026.

The Council advanced measures affecting the Northern Gulf of Maine (NGOM), which resulted in 482,753 lb. total allowable landings (TAL) and a 437,867-lb. NGOM set-aside for FY 2026. The change accounts for a decline in exploitable scallop biomass across the NGOM, including on Stellwagen Bank, where the majority of fishing effort is expected to occur in FY 2026.

Finally, the Council unanimously approved the Scallop Long-Term Strategic Plan, a 3- to 5-year roadmap built from public input, research needs, and industry priorities. The plan, which is based on robust public input, outlines nine objectives aimed at a sustainable, resilient, and profitable fishery and will guide new projects launching in 2026.