Federal Register #2026-07909

NOAA NMFS Regulatory Adjustments for Monkfish and Guam Bottomfish Fisheries (2026-2028)

NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), under the Department of Commerce, is proposing regulatory changes for the Monkfish Fishery Management Plan (FMP) and Guam bottomfish fisheries for fishing years 2026-2028. - Government Buyer: - Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), NMFS Fisheries Management - OEMs and Vendors: - NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) - NMFS (National Marine Fisheries Service) - Products/Services Requested: - Regulatory management measures for the monkfish fishery, including: - Setting catch specifications (Acceptable Biological Catch, Annual Catch Limit, Total Allowable Landings) for Northern and Southern Fishery Management Areas - Streamlining accountability measures for quota overages - Adding default specifications if new ones are not published in time - Regulatory changes for Guam bottomfish fishery, including: - Increasing the annual catch limit from 31,000 to 34,500 pounds - Modifying accountability measures to support stock rebuilding - Unique or Notable Requirements: - Maintain sustainable catch levels and prevent overfishing - Ensure management measures are based on the best scientific information available - Establish default specifications to ensure continuity if new regulations are delayed - Support rebuilding of Guam bottomfish stocks by 2031 - No physical products or part numbers are specified, as this is a regulatory action - Key Locations: - Northern and Southern Fishery Management Areas (covering the Gulf of Maine, Georges Bank, Southern New England, Mid-Atlantic Bight, and North Carolina) - Federal waters around Guam

Description

NMFS is proposing regulations to implement specifications and management measures in Framework Adjustment 17 to the Monkfish Fishery Management Plan (FMP). This action would set monkfish specifications for fishing year 2026, project specifications for fishing years 2027 and 2028, streamline the Annual Catch Limit (ACL) Overage Accountability Measure (AM) trigger, and add default specifications for the monkfish fishery. The proposed measures are intended to help prevent overfishing and ensure that management measures are based on the best scientific information available.

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