Opportunity
Federal Register #RTID 0648-XF489
NOAA/NMFS 2026-2028 Fishery Quotas for Chub Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish
Buyer
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Posted
July 09, 2026
Identifier
RTID 0648-XF489
NAICS
114111
The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), part of NOAA under the Department of Commerce, has finalized fishery specifications for 2026 and projected quotas for 2027-2028 for chub mackerel, Illex squid, longfin squid, and butterfish in the Mid-Atlantic region. - 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: - Harvest quotas for: - Chub mackerel: 2026 ABC 2,300 mt, ACL 2,262 mt, ACT 2,171 mt, TAL 2,041 mt - Illex squid: 2026 ABC 40,000 mt, DAH/DAP 38,631 mt - Longfin squid: 2026 ABC 23,400 mt, DAH/DAP 22,893.7 mt - Butterfish: 2026 ABC/ACL 13,842 mt, DAH/DAP 8,051 mt (with a 19% reduction in ABC/ACL/ACT and 29% reduction in DAH compared to 2025) - Unique or Notable Requirements: - Quotas are set to prevent overfishing and are based on the latest scientific advice from the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council and its Scientific and Statistical Committee - Annual review and adjustment of specifications - Quotas are allocated by trimester for some species - The Council's Research Set-Aside (RSA) program remains suspended since 2014 - No significant public comments were received - Specifications are consistent with the Magnuson-Stevens Act for sustainable fishery management
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 based on the most recent scientific information. The rule is effective August 10, 2026, and supports sustainable fishery management in the northeastern United States.