Atlantic Coast Fisheries News

November 3: A stakeholder-inclusive Regional Fund Administrator seeks public comment on Draft Regional Offshore Wind Fisheries Compensation Framework. Comments may be made through November 3.

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November 12: NOAA Fisheries seeks public comments on Framework Adjustment 7 to the Spiny Dogfish Fishery Management Plan. Comments may be made through November 12.

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November 20: SC DNR seeks public comment on proposed ACE Basin NERR Management Plan. Comments may be made through November 20.

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MA DMF: 2026 Commercial Tautog Fishery to Close Effective Tuesday, October 27

The Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) is projecting that 100% of Massachusetts 2026 commercial tautog quota will be taken on Monday, October 26. Accordingly, the fishery will close effective 0001 hours on Tuesday, October 27, 2026 (Legal Notice). Unless otherwise notified, the commercial tautog fishery will remain closed until it reopens on September 1, 2027.

During this quota closure period, it is unlawful for any fisher to retain, possess, or land tautog in a manner that does not conform with the state’s recreational fishing limits or to offer any tautog for sale, barter, or exchange. For more information regarding recreational tautog limits, visit our website.

In the coming weeks, commercial fishers will receive a letter from DMF describing how to return all unused 2026 Tautog ID Tags and a schedule to submit their Tautog ID Tag Accounting Report.

Find more information here.

NC DEQ: Jonathan Howell to Lead Division of Marine Fisheries

Jonathan Howell will be the new director of the NC Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF). Howell, currently the Deputy Director of the Division of Coastal Management (DCM), will take the helm at DMF Oct. 26.

“Jonathan has a lifelong passion for protecting our state’s beautiful coastal area and its wildlife,” DEQ Secretary Reid Wilson said. “He is a proven leader and I am confident he will do an excellent job leading our talented DMF team.” Howell replaces former DMF Director Kathy Rawls, who retired Aug. 1. Since then, DMF Deputy Director Mike Loeffler has served as interim director.

Howell said he is honored to step into this role and serve the people and coastal communities of North Carolina. “Our state’s fisheries are more than a resource — they are part of our livelihoods and the traditions that connect generations of families to the coast,” Howell said.

Find more information here.

NH FGD: Commercial Marine Licensing Event to Be Held on December 11, 2026

The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department (NHFG), Department of Safety, Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV), and the Pease Development Authority Division of Ports and Harbors (DPH) will host a commercial marine licensing event in December. The event provides the commercial fishing industry with a one-stop opportunity to obtain annual commercial fishing licenses, mooring and pier use permits, and vessel registrations, all at one convenient location.

The licensing day will be held at the Dover DMV Office, 50 Boston Harbor Road, Dover, NH. The event date is Friday, December 11, 2026, from 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.

Find more information here.

PA FBC: New State Record Channel Catfish

The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission has certified a new state record Channel Catfish weighing 36 pounds, 2 ounces, caught by angler David Taylor, Jr., in the Allegheny River near Pittsburgh. The fish surpassed the previous state record, set in 1991, by 9 ounces and was successfully released after certification. After the fish was weighed and inspected by a Waterways Conservation Officer, Taylor successfully released it back into the river.

"Everything worked out in the end, and it feels incredible,” added Taylor. “I want to thank my friend, Alex, the bait shops, and Officer Luteri for their help. Honestly, I’ve always dreamed of catching a state record, but I thought it would be a Flathead Catfish because we catch so many big ones out here in Pittsburgh. So, to catch a Channel Catfish that size? That just doesn’t happen. It just goes to show, you never know what’s on the other side of that hook."

Find more information here.

NJ DEP: Shell Recycling Program Celebrates National Seafood Month

This National Seafood Month, NJDEP Fish & Wildlife’s Shell Recycling Program wants to thank the industry that makes our work possible. From the harvesters working our waters, to the restaurants serving up shellfish, to the at-home chefs adding shell to our public drop-offs, everyone plays a crucial role in our habitat enhancement efforts. Looking to enjoy some local seafood while contributing to our Shell Recycling Program? An up-to-date list of our restaurant partners, as well as the locations of our public drop-off sites, can be found online.

Find more information here.

GA DNR: Application Period Now Open for 2027 Georgia DNR Career Academy

Scheduled for July 18-24, 2027, the Academy will be based at the Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center in Mansfield and the Jekyll 4-H Center on Jekyll Island.Throughout the week, students will travel to locations across Georgia, including state parks, wildlife management areas, fish hatcheries, historic sites and coastal destinations. These experiences will showcase how DNR employees protect, manage, and conserve Georgia’s natural, historic and cultural resources. Students will explore fields such as conservation law enforcement, wildlife and fisheries management, habitat stewardship, state park operations and coastal conservation.

“The DNR Career Academy gives students a firsthand look at the many opportunities available within the Georgia Department of Natural Resources,” said DNR Commissioner Walter Rabon. “Through hands-on activities and time spent learning alongside experienced professionals, students can see how they can make a difference in conserving Georgia’s wildlife, protecting its lands and waters, and serving their communities. We encourage eligible students to apply and explore where a career with DNR could take them.”

Find more information here.

NOAA Marine Debris Program: How One Partnership Addressed the Life Cycle of Lost Fishing Gear in the Gulf of Maine

With support from a 2023 award from the NOAA Marine Debris Program, the Center for Coastal Studies formed a coalition of New England organizations and commercial partners to identify, remove, document, recycle, repurpose, and properly dispose of lost and end-of-life fishing gear throughout the Gulf of Maine. From 2022 through 2026, the team recovered and removed over 2,000,000 pounds of marine debris; processed and recycled nearly 30,000 lost or retired lobster traps; and engaged over 100 commercial fishers in the project's efforts.

Find more information here.

NOAA Fisheries: Funded Project to Build 70 Acres of Chesapeake Bay Oyster Reef Habitat

A $10 million NOAA investment will create more than 70 acres of oyster reef habitat at the Hooper Strait Oyster Sanctuary, building on a decade of successful large-scale restoration. "The Hooper Strait project is the opening chapter of the next story," said Stephanie Westby, NOAA's oyster restoration coordinator for the Chesapeake Bay. "This is the largest amount of funding NOAA has directed toward a reef-base construction project to date."

Find more information here.

FWhat We're Reading

Deep-Sea Scientists Astonished to Find Two 'Giant' Creatures Lighting Up the Deep, Dark Ocean – with Their Legs (Discover Wildlife)

Podcast - Scientists Put a Salt Marsh in a Giant Wave-Machine: Here's What They Learned (Nature)

Here’s How Technology is Helping Fight Illegal Fishing Highlighting ongoing work and a shared lessons in interdisciplinary work (WildAid)

These 15 Photos Showcase the Intensely Brilliant Colors of Coral Reefs and the Creatures that Live Among Them Highlighting the importance of the marine ecosystems and the many species they help sustain (Smithsonian Magazine)

How Big Piles of Wood can Restore Habitat for Pacific Salmon An ambitious restoration project in Tla-o-qui-aht territory to rebuild salmon habitat in the degraded Tranquil Creek watershed (The Narwhal)

1,000-Foot Invisible Waves Are Tearing Through the Deep Ocean Scientists are tracking internal waves taller than the Empire State Building silently rolling beneath ships and reshaping entire seas (Surfer)

A Cold Pulse Reshaped East Coast Fisheries New study finds pulse of cold, fresh water brought unusually cold conditions to the region, disrupting fisheries from New England to the Mid-Atlantic (WHOI)

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