Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act Provisions; Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Northeast Multispecies Fishery; Fishing Year 2025 Measures

National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

Temporary rule; emergency action; request for comments.

This temporary rule implements emergency measures under the authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) to revise portions of the fishing year 2025 provisions in the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan (FMP). This action is necessary to address an emergency presented by a gap of approved specifications and other measures for fishing year 2025, based on the most recent fisheries data and scientific information, during consideration of two actions to the amend the FMP that would transition conservation and management of Atlantic cod from two biological stock units to four biological stock units. This temporary rule is intended to mitigate economic harm to the Northeast multispecies fishery participants by establishing fish stock quotas and related measures that allow the fishery to operate while preventing overfishing.

This action is effective May 1, 2025, through October 28, 2025. Comments must be received by June 2, 2025.

NMFS developed a Supplemental Impact Report (SIR) for the Environmental Assessments (EA) for Framework Adjustments 65 and 66 to the Northeast Multispecies FMP that describes the impact that the measures in this temporary rule would have on the human environment. Copies of the SIR and the Regulatory Impact Review of this rulemaking are available on the internet at: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/​region/​new-england-mid-atlantic. Copies of each sector's operations plan and contracts for fishing years 2025-2026; the Sector Operations Plan, Contract, and EA requirements ( printed page 18805) guidance document for fishing years 2025-2026; and other supporting documents are available from the NMFS Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office website at: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/​region/​new-england-mid-atlantic. Copies of supporting sector documents are available from Heather Nelson at [email protected]. Copies of Amendment 25 to the Northeast Multispecies FMP and the EAs for Framework Adjustments 65, 66, and 69 are available from Dr. Cate O'Keefe, Executive Director, New England Fishery Management Council, 50 Water Street, Mill 2, Newburyport, MA 01950. The Council's documents are also accessible via the internet at: http://www.nefmc.org/​management-plans/​northeast-multispecies or http://www.regulations.gov.

You may submit comments on this document, identified by NOAA-NMFS-2025-0020, by the following method:

• Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Visit https://www.regulations.gov and type NOAA-NMFS-2025-0020 in the Search box. Click on the “Comment” icon, complete the required fields, and enter or attach your comments.

Instructions: Comments sent by any other method, to any other address or individual, or received after the end of the comment period, may not be considered by NMFS. All comments received are a part of the public record and will generally be posted for public viewing on https://www.regulations.gov without change. All personal identifying information ( e.g., name, address, etc.), confidential business information, or otherwise sensitive information submitted voluntarily by the sender will be publicly accessible. NMFS will accept anonymous comments (enter “N/A” in the required fields if you wish to remain anonymous).