NOAA Fisheries FishNews—May 14, 2026

MAY 14, 2026

Highlights Magnuson-Stevens Act at 50: Charting a Course to Sustainable Fisheries In April, we celebrated the 50 years since the United States signed the Magnuson-Stevens Act. This landmark law set the United States on a course toward sustainably and cooperatively managed marine resources. But in order to appreciate how far we’ve ventured, it helps to understand why we embarked.

International United States Pushes for Stronger Action to Fight Illegal Fishing and Sustainably Manage Fisheries in the North Pacific  The United States advanced its goals to combat harmful fishing practices at the North Pacific Fisheries Commission’s annual meeting in Osaka, Japan. The U.S. delegation ensured the Commission addressed concerns about illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing; revised catch limits to rebuild fish stocks; and focused attention on unsustainable deep-sea bottom fisheries.

Alaska NOAA Fisheries Finds Listing Gulf of Alaska Chinook Salmon Under the Endangered Species Act “Not Warranted”  NOAA Fisheries has completed a status review and 12-month finding for Gulf of Alaska Chinook salmon in response to a January 2024 petition. We have determined that listing any of the three Evolutionarily Significant Units of Gulf of Alaska Chinook salmon under the Endangered Species Act is not warranted. This determination is based on the best available scientific and commercial information and the findings of the status review.

New England/Mid-Atlantic Restoring Habitat for Great Lakes Fish at the Historic Edsel and Eleanor Ford Estate With $7 million in funding, the Office of Habitat Conservation has established a unique partnership with Ford House—the historic 1920s estate of Eleanor and Edsel Ford. The partnership is rebuilding shoreline habitat for fish and other wildlife on Michigan’s Lake St. Clair, while expanding access and educational opportunities for visitors. Those Who Go to Sea  What draws people to the ocean and fishing? Field scientist Hannah Ciarametaro recently asked the captain and crew of the F/V Miss Trish II that very question. Their stories touch on duty, pride, and the toll a life at sea can take on seafood harvesters and their families.

Southeast Future of the Catch: the Modernization of Recreational Red Snapper Data Collection For many in the Southeast, red snapper fishing is a multi-generational tradition, making it a flagship species for the world’s largest recreational fishery. Effectively managing and preserving this vibrant species requires more than just accuracy; it demands a swift, responsive flow of data. Learn about three projects that are working to deliver faster, more efficient science by modernizing recreational red snapper data collection.

West Coast NOAA Fisheries Announces Availability of $99 Million for Pacific Salmon The Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund will fund up to $99 million for conservation and recovery projects that support Pacific salmon. The funding supports Administration priorities by improving habitat and implementing other actions to increase the production of salmon and steelhead—fisheries that create jobs and put more domestic seafood on American plates. New System Maps and Charts West Coast Fisheries Data to Inform Decisions on Ocean Uses  A new mapping system combines decades of fisheries data and statistics to visualize West Coast fisheries and how they have changed over time. The new project—led by researchers at NOAA, state wildlife departments, and the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission—is creating maps to inform marine planning, compare different uses of the ocean, and help visualize their implications for fisheries. Breaking Barriers to “Big Earth Data” Dr. Elizabeth "Eli" Holmes recently received the prestigious Earth Science Information Partners Martha Maiden 2026 Award. Dr. Holmes’ 25-year career at NOAA Fisheries demonstrates a deep commitment to advancing open science, fostering collaboration across agencies, and inspiring the next generation of scientists.

Upcoming Deadlines May 26: Proposals due for the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council Pacific Island Fishery Governance and Policy Projects May 28: Comments due on the preparation of the Alaska Aquaculture Opportunity Areas Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement May 31: Fisherman Feedback period closes for the Gulf Council’s request for information on fishery ecosystem issues June 1: Applications due for the U.S. Department of Transportation Maritime Administration’s Port Infrastructure Development Program Discretionary Grant Opportunity June 1: Comments due on Amendment 62: Modifications to Gulf of America Red Grouper Management Measures June 1: Comments due for updates to the Greater Atlantic Region’s Catch Share Cost Recovery Programs June 1: Nominations due for the 2026 Dr. Nancy Foster Habitat Conservation Award June 2: Deadline to provide feedback to support improvements to vessel speed regulations June 4: Comments due on the 2026 proposed Marine Mammal Protection Act List of Fisheries June 8: Comments due on proposed quotas for North Atlantic swordfish, South Atlantic swordfish, northern albacore tuna, and bluefin tuna June 15: Comments due on proposed listings and 12-month determinations for tope sharks under the Endangered Species Act View more news and announcements

Upcoming Events May 17: Ocean Fun Days 2026 in Sandy Hook, NJ May 18–19: Webinar: Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council’s Stock Assessment Update of American Samoa Bottomfish Management Unit Species June 1–3: Gulf Fishery Management Council meeting in Tampa, FL June 1–9: North Pacific Fishery Management Council meeting in Vancouver, WA June 8–12: South Atlantic Fishery Management Council meeting in St. Augustine, FL June 9–11: Western Pacific Fishery Management Council meeting in Utulei, American Samoa June 10–15: Pacific Fishery Management Council meeting in Spokane, WA June 16–18: Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council meeting in Alexandria, VA June 23–25: New England Fishery Management Council meeting in Mystic, CT View more events

Federal Register Actions Visit NOAA Fisheries' Rules & Regulations web page to learn more about recently proposed and finalized regulations in your region.

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