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The Federal Subsistence Board has proposed new rules for wildlife hunting and trapping in Alaska for the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 regulatory years. These rules would update the regulations for subsistence use, revise hunting seasons and harvest limits, and ensure that Alaska residents in rural areas have priority for taking fish and wildlife on federal lands. The proposed regulations would replace existing ones and are subject to public meetings for comments and suggestions on changes. Federal agencies, along with rural residents, are working together to manage the subsistence resources effectively.

The Federal Subsistence Board has proposed new regulations for the 2026-27 and 2027-28 hunting and trapping seasons on federal lands in Alaska, aiming to revise the rules for subsistence wildlife management. These regulations, which happen every two years for wildlife and every other year for fish and shellfish, involve setting harvest limits, seasons, and methods for taking wildlife. Public meetings and comments are scheduled throughout 2025 to gather input from local communities and stakeholders, ensuring that any changes consider the needs and traditions of local subsistence users. Once finalized, the new regulations will replace previous rules and ensure sustainable use of wildlife resources.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) released details on the 2025 cost recovery fee percentages for the Pacific Coast Groundfish Trawl Rationalization Program. The fee percentages are set for different sectors: 3.0% for the Shorebased Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) Program, 0.1% for the Catcher/Processor (C/P) Co-op Program, and 3.0% for the Mothership (MS) Co-op Program. The fees are used to recover costs associated with managing and enforcing these fishing programs. Additionally, the average 2025 price for Pacific whiting, used in fee calculations for the C/P Co-op Program, is set at $0.09 per pound.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has finalized a rule under the Federal Clean Water Act to amend the California Toxics Rule by establishing a revised selenium water quality criterion for certain freshwater bodies in California. This new criterion aims to protect aquatic life and wildlife that depend on these aquatic ecosystems from high selenium levels, which can be toxic. The EPA incorporated public feedback and scientific evidence into the rule, and it includes measures to account for site-specific conditions. The rule will take effect on January 16, 2025, unless California develops its own compliant standards.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) announced a change in the fee rate for the Pacific Coast Groundfish fishery to help repay a loan related to their fishing capacity reduction program. Starting January 1, 2025, the fee rate will be lowered from 3.5% to 2.25% for all groundfish landings. This adjustment is necessary to make sure the loan is paid off within the planned 30-year period. Payments for these fees will be due by February 14, 2025.

The Department of the Interior has announced programs and fiscal targets for 2025 that can be part of self-governance funding agreements with Indian Tribes, excluding the Bureau of Indian Affairs. These agreements allow Tribes to manage certain federal programs that relate to managing resources like lands and waters. The document lists eligible programs from different offices such as the Bureau of Land Management and the National Park Service, and highlights the objective to strengthen tribal sovereignty, self-determination, and collaboration in managing federal lands. Self-governance agreements have been made with several Tribes across various areas.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing a new information collection to better manage the usage of Carbon Dioxide-Carp for controlling invasive Asian carp species. This initiative includes various forms to be filled out by state and tribal governments, helping to track the product's application and effects. The Service is also considering using an automated, online permitting system called "ePermits" to streamline this process and reduce the burden on respondents. Public comments are invited by March 12, 2021, to help improve and assess the utility of this information collection.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has proposed new regulations to implement conservation measures for tropical tuna fishing in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, following international agreements made by the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) for the years 2025-2026. These rules include fishing restrictions for U.S. vessels involved in catching bigeye, yellowfin, and skipjack tuna, which are necessary to maintain sustainable fish populations and meet international obligations. Key measures involve closure days for purse seine vessels exceeding specific catch limits and restrictions on the use of fish aggregating devices. Public comments on the proposal are invited until January 6, 2025.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has implemented a final rule that allows hook-and-line catcher/processors to use longline pot gear when targeting Greenland turbot in the Bering Sea. This regulation aims to improve fishing efficiency, boost economic benefits, and reduce interactions with killer whales, which have negatively impacted this fishery. With the approval of the North Pacific Fishery Management Council, the rule addresses gear restrictions, whale depredation, and species retention, promoting effective fishery management and conservation. The new rules will be effective from April 28, 2025, and include requirements for gear marking and reporting to aid in monitoring and enforcement.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), has set a 3.0% fee percentage for 2024 under the Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) Program for halibut and sablefish in the North Pacific. This fee helps cover the costs involved in managing and enforcing the program. Fishermen must calculate their fees based on this percentage and the value of their catch, which they need to pay by January 31, 2025. Although management costs decreased, a significant drop in total fishery value keeps the fee percentage at this capped rate.