Comments due by November 12, 2026
NOAA Fisheries announces proposed catch specifications for the 2026 and 2027 Atlantic spiny dogfish fishing years and proposed changes to the Atlantic spiny dogfish accountability measures, as recommended by both the Mid-Atlantic and New England Fishery Management Councils.
These proposed 2026 and projected 2027 specifications are based on a status quo acceptable biological catch (ABC) equal to that of 2025 (7,626 mt). After setting the ABC, the specifications include deductions for estimates of other expected catch. The resulting recommended coast-wide commercial quota would be 9.2 million lb (4,172 mt).
Table 1. Comparison of Implemented 2025 and Proposed 2026-2027 Atlantic Spiny Dogfish Fishery Specifications, in metric tons. (ACL = annual catch limit, ACT = annual catch target, TAL = total allowable landings)
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2025
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2026-2027 (Proposed)
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ABC
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7,626
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7,626
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ACL=ACT
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7,622
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7,622
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TAL
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4,347
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4,284
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Commercial Quota
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4,236
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4,172
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Framework 7 also proposes changes to the Atlantic spiny dogfish accountability measures. Under the Councils’ recommended changes, ACL overages would be calculated based on the 3-year average catch and 3-year average ACL. When the 3-year average catch exceeds the 3-year average ACL, paybacks would: (1) Not be required when the stock is at or above its target; (2) would be scaled linearly when the stock is between 75 and 100 percent of its target (regardless of the source of the overage); and (3) would be required in full when the stock is at or below 75 percent of its target. Full paybacks would always be required when the stock is in a rebuilding plan. This approach is intended to provide the commercial fishery with greater flexibility by no longer requiring full payback of ACL overages when the Atlantic spiny dogfish stock is considered healthy, therefore maintaining higher coastwide commercial quotas. This action does not propose any changes to the existing inseason closure accountability measure that requires closure of the Federal fishery when the coastwide quota is reached.
For more details on the proposed measures, read the proposed rule as published in the Federal Register and submit your comments through the online portal. The comment period is open through November 12, 2026.
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