Proposed rule · 2026-05050

Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; 2026 Chub Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fishery Specifications

NMFS proposes specifications for the Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fishery Management Plan (FMP), as recommended by the Mid- Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council). This action proposes new 2026 and projected 2027-2028 specifications for the chub mackerel and Illex squid fisheries and reaffirms previously-projected 2026 specifications for the longfin squid and butterfish fisheries. These specifications are intended to establish allowable harvest levels that will prevent overfishing, consistent with the most recent scientific information.