Commerce Department, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
This final rule allocates Northeast multispecies annual catch entitlements (ACE) to approved groundfish sectors and permit banks for fishing year 2026 based on 2026 annual catch limits (ACL) set in Framework Adjustment 69 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan (FMP) or default specifications and provides notice of specifications for 11 stocks that are set by default in accordance with existing regulations. This action is intended to allow limited access permit holders to continue to operate sectors, as authorized under the FMP.
Document Headings Document headings vary by document type but may contain the following: the agency or agencies that issued and signed a document the number of the CFR title and the number of each part the document amends, proposes to amend, or is directly related to the agency docket number / agency internal file number the RIN which identifies each regulatory action listed in the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions See the Document Drafting Handbook for more details. Department of Commerce National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 648 [Docket No. 260423-0110; RTID 0648-XF532] ( printed page 22467) AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: This final rule allocates Northeast multispecies annual catch entitlements (ACE) to approved groundfish sectors and permit banks for fishing year 2026 based on 2026 annual catch limits (ACL) set in Framework Adjustment 69 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan (FMP) or default specifications and provides notice of specifications for 11 stocks that are set by default in accordance with existing regulations. This action is intended to allow limited access permit holders to continue to operate sectors, as authorized under the FMP. DATES: Northeast multispecies annual catch entitlements for sectors are effective May 1, 2026, through April 30, 2027. Default catch limits are effective May 1, 2026, through October 31, 2026, unless replaced by another action before November 1, 2026. If a subsequent action is not implemented on or before October 31, 2026, sectors would be prohibited from fishing in the stock areas of stocks with expired default catch limits beginning November 1, 2026, unless and until replaced by catch limits for those stocks. ADDRESSES: Copies of each sector's operations plan and contracts from fishing years 2025-2026; the Sector Operations Plan, Contract, and E…
Citation: 91 FR 22467
