Fishery Updates: NGOM Scallop & Halibut

With the NGOM scallop season officially closed, the focus turns to management. We are keeping our finger on the pulse of the discussions of potential restructuring of the fishery, including the creation of new areas in the Gulf of Maine with different sub-TAC allocations. The Council is exploring splitting the NGOM into two or more sub-areas each with their own separate catch limits and set-asides and with potential closed areas as well. 

Keep an eye out for upcoming conversations and meetings—this is where industry input will be most important as the framework moves forward.

Atlantic Halibut: Projected Overage and Potential Accountability Measures

NOAA is projecting a significant halibut overage this year, which may trigger accountability measures for the fishery. These measures are based on combined landings from Canada, state waters, and federal waters. At this point in federal waters 190% of the allowable catch of halibut has been caught. We will know more about state and Canadian waters as the data trickles in. 

If triggered, accountability measures would begin the following year, after data are finalized. Measures would include:

• Gillnet closure area (see map)

• Trawl closure area (see map)

• No-retention of halibut for anyone who holds a federal permit of any kind (including federal lobster licenses). Even those fishing mainly in state waters but carrying a federal license would be prohibited from landing halibut.

MCFA will continue monitoring new data and updates as they come in and provide an updates to the accountability measures. 

Hannah's Updates for April NEFMC

With Ben in DC for Magnuson's 50th Anniversary Celebrations and other Hill activities, Hannah spent last week at the NEFMC meeting in Portland. It was a pretty update heavy meeting with only a few items where action was taken. Here's the takeaways at a glance. 

Update from Regional Administrator: USCG Lapse 

Due to the ongoing partial government shutdown, the USCG has not been able to approve a variety of vessel documentation, permit transfers, and related paperwork. NOAA has identified workarounds to keep these processes moving in the meantime to keep guys on the water and is expected to remain in effect for as long as the shutdown continues. Fishermen who need to transfer permits or deal with vessel documentation should reach out to Ted Hawes: (978) 281-9296 for guidance on next steps.

Monkfish & Skate Listening Sessions

The proposed IFQ program for monkfish/skate did not move forward (unanimously), and the Council has reframed those planned meetings into a series of listening sessions on both monkfish and skate fisheries. The first in-person session is April 27, 4:00–6:30 PM at the Westin in Portland, with a webinar option available May 11. These sessions are focused on identifying issues in the fisheries and exploring possible paths forward. Input gathered will help shape 2027 management priorities. Written comments are accepted through May 18.

Fisheries Survey Updates 

Successes: 

• High numbers of juvenile haddock on both Georges Bank and Gulf of Maine in fall 2025. A good sign for future recruitment. 

• The Gulf of Maine industry-based bottom longline survey (F/V Mary Elizabeth and F/V Tenacious II) hit 100% station completion both spring and fall. Huge win for cooperative research.

• There was discussion about revitalizing the shrimp survey if funding becomes available. 

Challenges: 

• Fall 2025 bottom trawl survey only completed 68% of planned stations (one of the worst completion rates on record) due to a combination of a government shutdown, gear loss, mechanical issues (11-day delay), and weather (another 11-day delay). The ME/NH fall NEAMAP survey also only hit 68% completion. 

• The scallop HabCam survey was cut to just 3.5 of 10 planned days after getting entangled with an undisclosed shipwreck, and Leg 2 couldn't sail at all due to vessel issues. They recovered HabCam and it will be fully operational for summer 2026 (success). 

There was a repeated theme of staffing shortages, budget pressure, and paused surveys that have implications on the future of surveys and meeting our data needs. 

Groundfish Redfish Report Approved 

The Groundfish Committee approved the Redfish Sector Exemption Review report. The report looks at how the exemption has been functioning and will feed into future discussions on the program. It’s just one of the building blocks for a broader review of the redfish management approach down the line.

Herring Assessment Coming, Council Discussion in September 

The Atlantic herring assessment is in its final stages and will be completed shortly after the June Council meeting. The Council will take it up in September, which will be an important meeting for the herring fleet and anyone dependent on forage fish.

If you have any questions call/text/email Ben or Hannah. 

ben@mainecoastfishermen.org - 207.619.1755

hannah@mainecoastfishermen.org - 989.657.1362