Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Northeast Skate Complex; 2026-2028 Specifications

What it does

NMFS proposes 2026 through 2028 specifications for the Northeast skate fishery. This action would set skate catch limits for fishing year 2026, project catch limits for fishing years 2027 through 2028, and increase per trip possession limits for the wing and bait fisheries. This proposed action is necessary to establish skate specifications consistent with the most recent scientific information. The intent of this action is to establish appropriate catch limits for the skate fishery while providing additional operational flexibility to fishery participants.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's summary, as published in the Federal Register.

What it would change

1 part of Title 50 of the Code of Federal Regulations:

50 CFR 648

Before this

No earlier Federal Register document under regulation identifier 0648-BO35 since Jan. 1, 2025.

Since then:

• June 15, 2026 Final rule. Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Northeast Skate Complex; 2026 and Projected 2027 and 2028 Specifications

What happens next and when

Comments must be received by April 10, 2026. As explained further below, NMFS finds that a 15-day comment period for this action provides a reasonable opportunity for public participation in this action pursuant to Administrative Procedure Act section 553(c) (5 U.S.C. 553(c)), while also ensuring that the final specifications and possession limits are in place as close as possible to the start of the 2026 skate fishing season on May 1.

The agency's dates, word for word.

Check it yourself

• The document in the Federal Register
• Docket NOAA-NMFS-2025-1593 on Regulations.gov
• Title 50 on eCFR

The record as published

Source: the Federal Register (public domain). The document in the Federal Register