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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 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service plans to start charging fees for hunting permits at the Green River National Wildlife Refuge in Kentucky. These fees, authorized by the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act, aim to help cover costs related to managing hunting programs and improving visitor services. The public is invited to provide comments on this proposal by March 20, 2025, with the fees set to begin on July 1, 2025, unless the Service decides otherwise after reviewing the feedback.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has issued a final rule updating regulations for seafood inspection procedures, which were last majorly revised in 1971. The rule aims to improve the consistency and accuracy of seafood inspections by adopting recognized best practices and simplifying procedures. These updates are expected to benefit the seafood industry by modernizing inspection methods and shifting regulatory language to a digital manual. The rule will become effective on January 15, 2025, and aligns definitions with existing Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has received a request for an updated permit to potentially affect endangered and threatened species during the Rooney Ranch Wind Repowering Project in Alameda County, CA. The updated permit will cover additional impacts and species. Public comments are invited on the permit application, conservation plan, and environmental assessment. The project includes measures to minimize and mitigate its impact on species like the California tiger salamander and San Joaquin kit fox.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) announced a temporary closure of the red snapper recreational private angling component in federal waters off Texas in the Gulf of Mexico. This closure will be in effect from January 1, 2025, to June 1, 2025, to ensure that the annual catch limit (ACL) set for Texas is not exceeded and to help prevent overfishing. This decision was made following a request from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and is based on the authority given by the Fishery Management Plan and the Magnuson-Stevens Act. During this period, it will be illegal for private anglers to catch or possess red snapper in these federal waters, regardless of where they are from or where they plan to land.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is extending the comment period for a proposed rule regarding the grizzly bear, Ursus arctos horribilis, in the lower 48 states. This proposal, initially released on January 15, 2025, intends to revise the bear's status under the Endangered Species Act. By giving an additional 60 days for comments, the agency aims to allow more public input. Prior comments will still be considered, and new ones can be submitted online or by mail until May 16, 2025.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) have issued a final rule establishing the 2025 annual management measures for Pacific halibut fisheries. These regulations, recommended by the International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) and accepted by the U.S. Secretary of State and Secretary of Commerce, set catch limits to conserve halibut populations. The measures detail specific rules regarding catch sharing, fishing periods, and limits across various areas, with a focus on maintaining sustainability and aligning with international conservation efforts. Additionally, there are distinct regulations for commercial, charter, and recreational halibut fisheries meant to ensure fair distribution and prevent overfishing.

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 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is inviting public comments on proposed amendments to habitat conservation plans for the lesser prairie-chicken in areas including Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. These amendments involve changes to incidental take permits following updated boundaries for the lesser prairie-chicken's range. The public and various government levels can comment until February 13, 2025. The proposed amendments aim to expand conservation efforts and permit coverage without altering the original duration or scope of the plans.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), is seeking nominations for its Permanent Advisory Committee. This committee is involved with the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission, which focuses on managing fish stocks in the Pacific Ocean. The advisory committee will have 15-20 members from various groups concerned with these fisheries and will provide input to U.S. Commissioners. Nominations are open until February 18, 2021, and members will serve a two-year term starting August 3, 2021, without pay but will receive travel expenses.