U.S. FEDRegulation
NMFS requires fixed gear marking in Pacific Coast groundfish fishery
The National Marine Fisheries Service issued a final rule implementing gear marking requirements and entanglement risk reduction measures for portions of the Pacific Coast groundfish fishery. The rule, published October 13, 2026, at 91 FR 64791, is issued under the Magnuson-Stevens Act and is intended to attribute entanglements to a specific fishery and gear type and reduce marine animal entanglement bycatch.
Key points
- Fishers must mark every buoy with fishery-specific and gear-specific marks under the new requirements.Federal Register
- Vertical lines require marking on the top 20 fathoms; temporary marking methods are allowed for three years.Federal Register
- The rule takes effect January 11, 2027, with sections 660.219(a)(1) and 660.319(a)(1) effective October 13, 2026.Federal Register
- Compliance with sections 660.219(b)(2) and 660.319(b)(2) is required by January 11, 2030; Docket No. 260925-0005.Federal Register