Fishery management councils convene to address harvest and ecosystem regulations

Regional fishery management councils are convening to address critical regulatory and ecological issues. The North Pacific Fishery Management Council is scheduled to meet in Anchorage from October 8-13, 2026. Key agenda items include the review of Bristol Bay red king crab, Tanner crab, and snow crab specifications, as well as proposed 2027–2028 groundfish harvest specifications for the Gulf of Alaska and Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands. The council will also discuss charter halibut permit data and potential changes to Individual Fishing Quota transfers.

In the South Atlantic, the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council met in North Charleston, South Carolina, from September 14-18, 2026. The meeting focused on the Resilient Fisheries Initiative, which addresses management challenges in changing ecosystems. Discussions included an Ecosystem Information Review Project examining the use of ecological and socioeconomic indicators in fisheries management. The council also recognized individuals for excellence in law enforcement and long-term service to fisheries science.