The National Marine Fisheries Service established new gear requirements for the monkfish and spiny dogfish fisheries to reduce Atlantic sturgeon bycatch. These rules require the use of low-profile gillnets in certain areas starting in 2026 and prohibit gillnets from being left in the water overnight during specific months from 2025. The rules aim to balance the reduction of sturgeon bycatch with the economic impact on the fisheries. The regulations, recommended by fishery management councils, include a delay to allow the fishing industry time to adapt to the new measures.
Simple Explanation
The government is making new rules so that fishing nets in certain areas won't catch too many special fish called Atlantic sturgeon by mistake. Fishermen will start using lower nets in 2026, and they can't leave their nets in the water overnight in some months starting in 2025.