Taking of Marine Mammals Incidental to Commercial Fishing Operations: Harbor Porpoise Take Reduction Plan; Change to Gillnet Gear Requirements
Summary
The federal government is updating rules about fishing nets used in commercial fishing to better protect harbor porpoises, small marine mammals that sometimes get accidentally caught and killed. The changes require fishermen to use different types of gillnets (a common fishing tool) to reduce these accidental deaths while still allowing fishing operations to continue.
Key Points
- 1Commercial fishermen who use gillnets must modify their gear to reduce accidental catches of harbor porpoises
- 2Harbor porpoises are small marine mammals that can become trapped and drown in fishing nets, and this regulation aims to prevent those deaths
- 3The rule is part of a larger 'Take Reduction Plan' - a federal program designed to minimize harm to protected marine animals during fishing activities
- 4Fishermen have until February 3, 2026 to submit comments on the proposed changes before the final rule takes effect
- 5These changes affect commercial fishing operations along U.S. coasts where harbor porpoises are found, particularly in the Atlantic Ocean
Key Dates
January 2, 2026
This summary is for informational purposes only. It may not capture all nuances of the regulation. Always refer to the official text for authoritative information.
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