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Today, NOAA Fisheries is announcing a scoping period for the next phase in developing and analyzing recommendations that may result in proposed modifications to the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan (ALWTRP). This is the next phase in the process to comply with Congress’s direction that we issue new regulations for the American lobster and Jonah crab fisheries that are consistent with the Marine Mammal Protection Act and Endangered Species Act. The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 mandates that new regulations must be in place by December 31, 2028. We are using this scoping period to ensure any future actions and regulations are grounded in economic reality and support the proud tradition of American commercial fishing.
We will be asking for ideas and suggestions regarding any amendments to the ALWTRP, and information on the impact of all existing and innovative U.S. commercial gear used in the American lobster and Jonah crab fisheries on North Atlantic right whales along the U.S. East Coast. Comments from the scoping period will inform discussions during the upcoming 2026 and 2027 Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Team meetings, and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) analysis of a 2028 ALWTRP amendment.
A Notice of Intent to prepare an environmental analysis published in the Federal Register today, followed by a 60-day public scoping comment period beginning on August 17, 2026. This is not a notice of proposed rulemaking. Rather, it requests public input on the scope of the regulations. It also provides notice that the upcoming NEPA analysis of ALWTRP modifications will consider all U.S. commercial fixed-gear fisheries regulated under the ALWTRP.
Submit your comments through the e-rulemaking portal.
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