Opportunity
Federal Register #NOAANMFS20262080
Request for Information on Ropeless Fishing Gear for Northeastern U.S. and Atlantic Coastal Fisheries
Buyer
National Marine Fisheries Service
Posted
July 16, 2026
Respond By
October 14, 2026
Identifier
NOAANMFS20262080
The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), part of NOAA under the Department of Commerce, is seeking stakeholder input on ropeless fishing gear for use in Northeastern U.S. and Atlantic coastal fisheries. - Government Buyer: - National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Department of Commerce - OEMs and Vendors: - No specific OEMs or vendors are named - MITRE Corporation and Northeast Fisheries Science Center referenced as technical information sources - Products/Services Requested: - Stakeholder input on ropeless (on-demand) fishing gear and fixed gear systems without persistent buoy lines - Focus on American lobster and Jonah crab fisheries in the Greater Atlantic Region - Input sought on technical, operational, and data management aspects - Unique/Notable Requirements: - Emphasis on innovative gear technologies to reduce risks to large marine mammals - Reference to technical reports on acoustic interoperability and data specifications - Information will inform future development, use, and management of ropeless gear - This is an information request only; no procurement of products or services at this time
Description
The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is requesting information from fishery participants and others with specialized knowledge on the potential use of ropeless fishing gear, which includes on-demand fishing gear and other fixed gear that does not use persistent buoy lines. This information will inform any potential future use, development, and management of these systems in fisheries in the Greater Atlantic Region. NMFS intends to summarize the responses to this request for information and share that summary publicly. The request is part of efforts to comply with mandates to promote innovation and adoption of gear technologies to reduce risks to large marine mammals and implement new regulations for American lobster and Jonah crab fisheries by December 31, 2028.