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The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has announced routine changes to the management measures for commercial groundfish fishing off the Pacific Coast. This rule, effective March 6, 2025, aims to allow fishing vessels more access to abundant fish stocks while protecting those that are overfished. The NMFS increased the limits for certain rockfish species between specific latitudes in response to recommendations made at a Pacific Fishery Management Council meeting and industry requests. This change is expected to bring economic benefits without exceeding permitted catch limits, and it was implemented rapidly to maximize these benefits.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has announced the final rules for the 2025 and 2026 groundfish fishing seasons in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands. These rules set the limits for how much fish can be caught, based on scientific assessments to ensure sustainable fishing practices. They aim to balance the fishing industry needs with conservation efforts, taking into account environmental factors and fish stock health. Public comments were considered during the process, and these rules follow the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act's requirements.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is proposing a new rule under the Tuna Conventions Act that would set annual and trip limits on the U.S. commercial catch of Pacific bluefin tuna for 2025-2026. These measures aim to conserve the tuna population and meet the U.S.'s international commitments with the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC). The proposed rule outlines specific trip limits that decrease as the cumulative catch approaches annual limits, and details a system for announcing and managing in-season actions to adjust these limits. Public comments on the proposed rule and the draft environmental assessment are invited until January 29, 2025, and can be submitted through the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is making adjustments to the 2021 Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) quotas for the Purse Seine and Reserve categories. NMFS is reallocating 164.5 metric tons from the Purse Seine category to the Reserve category, and transferring 26 metric tons from the Reserve category to the General category for the January 2021 subquota period. This decision considers the need for continued data collection on BFT, the availability of commercial-sized BFT, and ensures that fishing opportunities align with the regulatory standards while managing resources effectively. The changes are effective from February 8, 2021, through December 31, 2021.