National Marine Fisheries Service

03/26/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 03/26/2026 07:56

NOAA Fisheries Seeks Comments on 2026-2028 Specifications for the Northeast Skate Complex Fishery Management Plan

NOAA Fisheries is seeking comments on proposed measures for the 2026-2028 Specifications for the Northeast skate fishery.

We are proposing the following specifications for fishing years 2026 through 2028:

  • For fishing years 2026 and 2027, increasing the skate acceptable biological catch (ABC) to 41,282 mt (91,010,864 lb)
  • For fishing year 2028, decreasing the skate ABC to 37,154 mt (81,910,451 lb)

Comparison of Current 2024-2025 and Proposed 2026-2028 Skate Fishery Specifications, in Metric Tons and Whole Weight.

2024-2025 (Current)

2026-2027 (Proposed)

2028

(Proposed)

ABC/ACL

32,155

41,282

37,154

ACT (90% of ACL)

28,940

37,154

33,439

Overall Fishery TAL

15,718

20,966

18,800

Wing TAL
(66.5% of Overall TAL)

10,453

13,943

12,502

Wing Season 1 TAL
(57% of Wing TAL)

5,958

7,948

7,126

Wing Season 2 TAL

4,495

5,995

5,376

Bait TAL
(33.5% of Overall TAL)

5,266

7,024

6,298

Bait Season 1 TAL
(30.8% of Bait TAL)

1,622

2,163

1,940

Bait Season 2 TAL
(37.1% of Bait TAL)

1,954

2,606

2,337

Bait Season 3 TAL

1,690

2,255

2,021

In addition, we are proposing the following trip limit adjustments:

  • Increasing the skate wing possession limits for trips fishing on a Monkfish, Scallop, or Northeast Multispecies Day-At-Sea by 500 lb for each season, which would result in a trip limit of 4,500 lb for Season 1 and a trip limit of 6,500 lb for Season 2
  • Increasing the skate bait possession limit by 5,000 lb, from 25,000 lb to 30,000 lb, for trips fishing on a Bait Letter of Authorization for all three bait seasons
National Marine Fisheries Service published this content on March 26, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on March 26, 2026 at 13:56 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]