Final Rule to Implement Monkfish Quotas for Fishing Year 2026

NOAA Fisheries is implementing Framework Adjustment 17 to the Monkfish Fishery Management Plan (FMP).

This action:

• Sets monkfish specifications for fishing year 2026 and projects specifications for fishing years 2027 and 2028;
• Streamlines the Annual Catch Limit (ACL) Overage Accountability Measure (AM) trigger; and
• Adds default specifications for the monkfish fishery.

This action is necessary to respond to updated scientific information and achieve the goals and objectives of the FMP. The measures are intended to help prevent overfishing and ensure that management measures are based on the best scientific information available.

Monkfish Specifications

Framework 17 Specifications (FY 2026, Projected FY 2027-2028)

*Percent change from the previously approved 2023-2025 specifications

ACL Overage AM Streamlining

Framework Adjustment 17 removes the requirement that the Councils implement ACL Overage AMs for the monkfish fishery. Instead, only the Regional Administrator is responsible for implementing ACL Overage AMs in years where they are required. Shifting responsibility to implement the AMs to the Regional Administrator simplifies this process, but does not substantively modify the AMs themselves. This action does not implement AMs for FY2026. NMFS would provide notice of ACT Revisions that result from AM implementation in the Federal Register.

Default Overfishing Limits (OFLs), ABCs and ACLs

NOAA Fisheries is also adding regulations to define default OFLs, ABCs, and ACLs that would go into place in the event that no specifications for a fishing year are in place at the start of that fishing year. These are rollover specifications and equal to the prior fishing year's specifications for each stock, until superseded by a final rule implementing new specifications.