Federal Register #2026-20863

NOAA proposal for Atlantic spiny dogfish catch limits and accountability measures

NOAA proposes changes to Atlantic spiny dogfish catch limits and accountability measures; this is a fishery-management rule, not a procurement opportunity. - Government entities: Department of Commerce; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA); National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). The proposal follows recommendations from the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council and New England Fishery Management Council. - Proposed catch specifications: An acceptable biological catch of 16.81 million pounds and a coastwide commercial quota of 9.2 million pounds for fishing year 2026, with projected specifications for 2027. - Accountability measures: Catch-limit overages would be assessed using three-year average catch and annual catch limits. Paybacks would not be required when stock biomass is at or above its target, would be scaled when biomass is between 75% and 100% of the target, and would be required in full when biomass is at or below 75% or the stock is under a rebuilding plan. - Existing measure retained: The coastwide commercial fishery closure when the quota is reached would remain unchanged. - Procurement details: No OEMs, vendors, products, services, part numbers, or quantities are identified.

Description

NMFS proposes fishing year 2026 and projected 2027 specifications for the Atlantic spiny dogfish fishery, including allowable harvest levels intended to prevent overfishing while achieving optimum yield. The proposal would set catch limits based on the best available scientific information and recommendations from the Mid-Atlantic and New England Fishery Management Councils. It also proposes changing accountability measures so overages are evaluated using three-year average catch and ACLs, with payback requirements varying according to stock condition. Comments are due November 12, 2026.

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