NOAA Fisheries Seeks Comments on the Proposed Rule for the Omnibus Management Flexibility Amendment to New England Fishery Management Council Fishery Management Plans

NOAA Fisheries is announcing a public comment period on the Proposed Rule for the Omnibus Management Flexibility Amendment to New England Fishery Management Council Fishery Management Plan (FMP). This action would address the need for increased management flexibility and consistency across all of the New England Fishery Management Council's FMPs. We will be accepting public comment on this proposed rule through August 7, 2026.

The proposed action includes administrative changes to:

• Specifications frequency;
• The specifications setting process;
• In-season adjustment authority;
• Preparation of Council reports/reviews; and
• Adding the above measures to the list of frameworkable measures for each FMP.

The proposed action would expand tools available to the Council to prevent fishery operational delays, improve planning of Council final actions throughout the year, respond to new information in a timelier manner, and improve the efficient allocation of Council resources. We work in partnership with the New England Fishery Management Council to manage its FMPs to meet conservation objectives, use the best available scientific information, and provide sustainable levels of access to the fisheries.