Federal Register #2026-13867

NOAA/NMFS 2026-2028 Fishery Quotas for Chub Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish

This opportunity concerns the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) under NOAA, which has finalized and projected fishery specifications for chub mackerel, Illex squid, longfin squid, and butterfish in the northeastern United States. - Government Buyer: - Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office - OEMs and Vendors: - NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) - NMFS (National Marine Fisheries Service) - Products/Services Requested: - Chub mackerel fishery harvest quota: 2,041 metric tons for 2026, with projections for 2027-2028 - Illex squid fishery harvest quota: 38,631 metric tons for 2026, with projections for 2027-2028 - Longfin squid fishery harvest quota: 22,893.7 metric tons for reaffirmed 2026 specifications - Butterfish fishery harvest quota: 8,051 metric tons for reaffirmed 2026 specifications, with a 19% reduction in ABC/ACL/ACT and a 29% reduction in DAH compared to the previous year - All quotas are specified in metric tons and include allocations by trimester for squid and butterfish - Unique or Notable Requirements: - Most quotas remain at status quo, except for butterfish, which sees significant reductions - Allocations are designed to prevent overfishing and are based on the latest scientific data - Quotas are allocated by trimester for squid and butterfish to support sustainable management - Specifications are consistent with the Magnuson-Stevens Act and recommendations from the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council

Description

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) approves and implements specifications for the Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fishery Management Plan (FMP) as recommended by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council. This final rule sets the 2026 and projects the 2027-2028 specifications for the chub mackerel and Illex squid fisheries and reaffirms the previously projected 2026 specifications for the longfin squid and butterfish fisheries. The specifications establish allowable harvest levels to prevent overfishing, consistent with the most recent scientific information. The rule is effective August 10, 2026.

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