NMFS Closes 2026 Illex Squid Fishery After 96% of Quota Projected
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Table of Contents
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is closing the directed Illex squid fishery in federal waters for the remainder of 2026. This decision is based on a projection that 96 percent of the 2026 domestic annual harvest will be taken by the time the closure takes effect.
Why it matters: This is a standard annual management action. It does not change long-term regulations or create new rules; it simply enforces the existing catch limit for the current year. The practical impact is that directed squid fishing stops for the rest of the year, though incidental catch in other fisheries may still occur under separate regulations.
Who it affects
- Commercial Illex squid fishermen operating in federal waters
This summary is based on a Federal Register notice from the Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; readers should consult the official document for specific geographic boundaries and enforcement details.
Agency: Commerce Department, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Source: Federal Register — read the official document