Support Georges Bank groundfish catch limits that prevent overfishing
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act Provisions; Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Northeast Multispecies Fishery; Framework Adjustment 72
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration· Georges Bank, Northeastern United States federal watersFederal Register 2026-15784 ↗
New science-based catch limits aim to stop overfishing and rebuild depleted Northeast groundfish stocks.
What’s at risk
Groundfish populations including Atlantic cod, haddock, and Georges Bank yellowtail flounder remain depleted or at risk of overfishing. Without updated catch limits tied to the best available science, these stocks face continued decline.
If we stay silent
Fisheries managers will use current stock assessments to set enforceable catch limits and rebuild overfished populations, giving depleted species a real chance to recover.
Our plain-English read of the official notice ↗. Check it against the agency’s own words below.
In the agency’s own words
NMFS issues this interim final rule to implement Framework Adjustment 72 (Framework 72) to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan (FMP), specifically to implement status determination criteria for Georges Bank yellowtail flounder, set catch limits for multispecies (groundfish) stocks, and revise the process for setting recreational measures for Atlantic cod and haddock. This action is necessary to respond to updated scientific information and to achieve the goals and objectives of the FMP. The measures are intended to help prevent overfishing, rebuild overfished stocks, achieve optimum yield, and ensu…
Did the agency answer?
1 issue is on this record. The agency has not published its decision document yet, so it stays pending until the agency answers.
Issues on the record, awaiting the decision
- PendingThe document delegates to the Regional Administrator broad authority to set recreational measures for GB cod, GB haddock, and EGOM cod without a recreational sub-ACL, including adjusting seasons, mini
The document delegates to the Regional Administrator broad authority to set recreational measures for GB cod, GB haddock, and EGOM cod without a recreational sub-ACL, including adjusting seasons, minimum sizes, and possession limits. The only procedural requirement stated is that measures be 'consistent with the Administrative Procedure Act' and 'published in the Federal Register prior to the start of the fishing year when possible.' The phrase 'when possible' creates an explicit escape valve that could allow in-season changes to recreational fishing rules without advance public notice. NMFS should clarify in a final rule what procedural protections apply when publication before the fishing year is not possible, and whether emergency in-season changes require Council consultation and a comment period.
A hole PLAN found in the agency’s own analysis, quote verified against the document
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