Saving Seafood

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Finalizes Rule Clarifying Squid as “Shellfish”

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.

MAFMC Warns of Consequences for 2026 Recreational Black Sea Bass and Summer Flounder Fisheries Due to Federal Rulemaking Delay

April 15, 2026 — The following was released by The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council has expressed serious concern to the U.S. Department of Commerce and NOAA Fisheries regarding significant delays in the rulemaking process for the Recreational Measures Setting Process Framework. Despite the final framework being submitted over eight months ago, a proposed rule has yet to be published.

In a letter to Secretary Howard Lutnick and Assistant Administrator Eugenio Piñeiro Soler, the Council expressed serious concern that the delay threatens the implementation of the 2026 recreational management measures (bag, size, and season limits) for black sea bass and summer flounder.

Impacts on the 2026 Season

Without the framework in place, NOAA Fisheries has indicated it intends to enforce “non-preferred coastwide measures” instead of the state-tailored measures developed by the Council, Commission, and individual states. This would have several immediate consequences for the fishing community:

  • The highly anticipated 20% liberalization for black sea bass will not be realized. The black sea bass stock has been increasing for many years and is currently more than double the target level. In December, the Council and Commission agreed to allow states to liberalize measures to achieve a 20% increase in expected harvest—the first such increase since 2012. This change would have expanded angler access, reduced regulatory discards, and supported for-hire businesses. However, these benefits will not be realized if the non-preferred coastwide measures are implemented.

  • Measures in some states will be severely restricted. The non-preferred coastwide measures for both summer flounder and black sea bass are not tailored to individual state needs or regional differences. As such, the non-preferred measures for both species are much more restrictive than the recommended 2026 measures for multiple states.

  • There will be widespread confusion among the recreational fishing public and increased non-compliance. Non-preferred coastwide measures have never been implemented for these species and are therefore largely unknown to the recreational fishing public. With the fishing season opening in less than three weeks in some states, imposing these measures will generate confusion, frustration, and non-compliance.

Proposed Solutions

The Council’s letter urges the Department of Commerce and NOAA Fisheries to approve the Recreational Measures Setting Process Framework and the 2026 recreational measures adopted through the Council, Commission, and state process as soon as possible. To avoid disrupting the upcoming season, the Council also requests that the agency consider expedited implementation methods, such as an interim final rule or emergency rulemaking.

The Council remains committed to working with its partners to resolve this delay and provide stability for the recreational fishing public.

The full text of the letter can be found here.

Request for Proposals: Technical Review of Confidence Interval Methods for the Percent Change Approach

April 15, 2026 — The following was released by The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) is seeking proposals from qualified contractors to conduct a comprehensive technical review of confidence interval methods used in the Percent Change Approach for setting recreational measures for summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass. The proposal submission deadline is May 18, 2026.

Background: The Percent Change Approach is used to establish recreational management measures – including bag, size, and season limits – by comparing expected harvest to the average Recreational Harvest Limit (RHL). A critical component of this process is the application of a confidence interval around harvest estimates, which determines the required level of change in management measures. Currently, the Recreation Demand Model (RDM) is the primary tool for generating these estimates and associated confidence intervals.

This technical review is intended to address recent questions regarding the appropriate calculation and application of confidence intervals, which have varied considerably across species and years. The review will occur during an interim year to develop scientifically robust guidance for future specifications cycles, including considerations for the planned transition to catch-based management in 2030 and pending revisions to Marine Recreational Information Program (MRIP) data.

Scope of Work: The selected contractor will work with Council and Commission staff and a project oversight team. Key responsibilities include:

  • Literature and Methods Review: Review existing joint-distribution MRIP-based and RDM-based methods used to calculate confidence intervals.
  • Evaluation of Alternative Approaches: Evaluate alternative confidence interval levels and methods and analyze the sensitivity of management outcomes and overfishing risks to these alternatives.
  • Assessment of Uncertainty Sources: Assess how MRIP estimation uncertainty, stock assessment model structures, and data availability affect confidence intervals.
  • Recommendations: Develop clear recommendations for appropriate confidence interval levels and methods for each species, including criteria for future re-evaluations.
  • Briefing Materials and Report: Prepare a written technical report and concise briefing materials for presentation to the Council, Commission, and various technical committees.

Additional Information: Complete details regarding contractor qualifications, the detailed scope of work, and proposal submission instructions are available in the full Request for Proposals.

Request for Proposals: Technical Review of Confidence Interval Methods for the Percent Change Approach