NMFS proposes a 9.2 million pound spiny dogfish quota; comments close Nov. 12

NOAA Fisheries has a proposed rule out for Atlantic spiny dogfish. Framework Adjustment 7, published in the Federal Register on Oct. 13, 2026, would set fishing year 2026 specifications and projected 2027 specifications, and change how annual-catch-limit overages are paid back. Comments are due Nov. 12, 2026, under docket NOAA-NMFS-2026-1321. The fishing year runs May 1 through April 30. The Mid-Atlantic Council is the administrative lead, with the New England Council, and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission handles state waters from Maine to North Carolina.

The proposed acceptable biological catch stays at the 2025 figure, 7,626 metric tons. After other catch is subtracted, the recommended coastwide commercial quota is 4,172 metric tons, which NOAA’s bulletin also states as 9.2 million pounds, down from a 2025 commercial quota of 4,236 metric tons. Total allowable landings would be 4,284 metric tons, compared with 4,347. The annual catch limit and annual catch target would both stay at 7,622 metric tons. A 2023 management-track assessment found the stock was not overfished and not experiencing overfishing, and was above its biomass target. A 2025 data update, which was not folded into that model, showed negative trends in female biomass indices, female spawning-stock biomass, and the mean length of mature females.

The accountability-measure change would judge an overage on a three-year average catch against the three-year average catch limit. Payback would not be required when the stock is at or above its target, would scale when the stock is between 75% and 100% of the target, and would be paid in full at or below 75% of the target or whenever the stock is in a rebuilding plan. The in-season closure when the coastwide quota is reached would stay in place. The rule is a proposal. The contact in the Federal Register notice is Laura Deighan at (978) 281-9184.

This is a The Gillnet news desk summary, not a reprint.

Source: Federal Register — Framework Adjustment 7 to the Atlantic Spiny Dogfish FMP (published Oct. 13, 2026; signed Oct. 7, 2026). Bulletin: NOAA Fisheries (Oct. 9, 2026).