Department of Commerce

NMFS is correcting a temporary rule for the Pacific halibut recreational fishery in the International Pacific Halibut Commission's (IPHC) regulatory Area 2A. The action added fishing dates in August and September in the Columbia River and Washington subareas. The dates listed under each subarea were incorrect.

NMFS is reapportioning the unused amounts of the Pacific cod Trawl Cooperative (PCTC) Program halibut prohibited species catch (PSC) limit to the Pacific cod trawl limited access catcher vessel sector C season in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI).

The Bureau of Industry and Security ("BIS") is publishing this temporary final rule to restrict the exportation of black mass and tungsten waste and scrap without a license. Specifically, as of August 27, 2026, U.S. persons engaged in the sale of black mass and tungsten waste and scrap must allocate 100 percent of monthly sales to U.S. persons, unless an adjustment or exception is obtained in advance from BIS. This action is taken pursuant to section 101 of the Defense Production Act of 1950, as amended ("DPA" or the "Act"), the Defense Priorities and Allocations System (15 CFR part 700) and Presidential Determination Pursuant to Section 101 of the Defense Production Act of 1950, as Amended, on Recoverable Critical Minerals and Materials, dated July 30, 2026 ("DPA Determination on Recoverable CMMs"), in which the President authorized the Department of Commerce ("Commerce") to address the scarcity of recoverable critical minerals and materials ("CMMs"). BIS invites the public to submit comments on whether any additional sales requirements are necessary or appropriate to promote the national defense.

NMFS announces an inseason action for the 2026 Pacific halibut non-Tribal directed commercial fishery in the International Pacific Halibut Commission's (IPHC) regulatory Area 2A. This action adds a fishing period, August 18 through August 20, 2026, with a fishing period catch limit of 5,000 pounds (lb) (2.27 metric tons (mt)) per vessel, dressed weight. This action is intended to provide additional opportunity for the fleet to achieve the 2026 non-Tribal directed commercial fishery allocation.

NMFS corrects the final rule published on July 22, 2026 to implement Amendment 36 to the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan (91 FR 46000). The final rule inadvertently omitted portions of three amendatory instructions. This correction fixes the omissions.

NMFS is prohibiting commercial fishing for salmon in the Cook Inlet exclusive economic zone (EEZ) Area. This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2026 total allowable catch (TAC) of the aggregate coho salmon stock complex in the Cook Inlet EEZ Area.

NMFS is closing the 2026 commercial fishing season for greater amberjack in the Gulf of America (Gulf). Federal regulations require NMFS to close commercial harvest for greater amberjack if landings reach the commercial annual catch target (ACT) during the fishing year, which NMFS has projected will occur by August 5, 2026. The commercial closure for greater amberjack will remain closed through the rest of 2026. This action is necessary to protect the greater amberjack resource in the Gulf.

NMFS closes the Angling category Gulf of Maine area fishery for large medium and giant ("trophy" (i.e., measuring 73 inches (185 centimeters (cm)) curved fork length or greater)) Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT). This action applies to Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Angling and HMS Charter/Headboat permitted vessels when fishing recreationally.

NMFS issues this interim final rule to implement Framework Adjustment 72 (Framework 72) to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan (FMP), specifically to implement status determination criteria for Georges Bank yellowtail flounder, set catch limits for multispecies (groundfish) stocks, and revise the process for setting recreational measures for Atlantic cod and haddock. This action is necessary to respond to updated scientific information and to achieve the goals and objectives of the FMP. The measures are intended to help prevent overfishing, rebuild overfished stocks, achieve optimum yield, and ensure that management measures are based on the best scientific information available.

NMFS, upon request from the U.S. Department of the Navy (Navy), issues these regulations pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) to govern the taking of marine mammals incidental to training and testing activities using Surveillance Towed Array Sensor System (SURTASS) Low Frequency Active (LFA) sonar systems in the western and central North Pacific and eastern Indian oceans over the course of 7 years from August 2026 through August 2033. These regulations allow for the issuance of a letter of authorization (LOA) for the incidental take of marine mammals during specified activities and timeframes, prescribe the permissible methods of taking and other means of effecting the least practicable adverse impact on marine mammal species and their habitat, and establish requirements pertaining to the monitoring and reporting of such taking. The Navy's activities are considered military readiness activities pursuant to the MMPA, as amended by the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004 (2004 NDAA) and the NDAA for Fiscal Year 2019 (2019 NDAA).

NMFS announces an inseason action for the Pacific halibut recreational fishery in the International Pacific Halibut Commission's (IPHC) regulatory Area 2A. This action adds fishing dates in August and September in the Columbia River and Washington subareas. These actions are intended to provide additional fishing opportunity for anglers in 2026 and are necessary to achieve the overall recreational fishery allocations for Area 2A established in the Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Council) 2026 Pacific Halibut Catch Sharing Plan and the 2026 IPHC regulations.

NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific ocean perch in the West Yakutat District of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2026 total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific ocean perch in the West Yakutat District of the GOA.

NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for dusky rockfish in the West Yakutat District of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2026 total allowable catch (TAC) of dusky rockfish in the West Yakutat District of the GOA.

The Department of Commerce (Commerce), Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) is revising the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) and the Commerce Control List (CCL) to appropriately control certain silencers, mufflers, and sound suppressors (sound suppressors) that will no longer be described on the International Traffic in Arms Regulations U.S. Munitions List (USML). This interim final rule (IFR) complements a Department of State interim final rule published elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register (International Traffic in Arms Regulations: USML Category I Firearm Suppressors (1400-AG11) (State IFR)). This transfer of jurisdiction will reduce the regulatory burden on exports of sound suppressors. This IFR also revises the EAR to allow firearms and related items to be temporarily exported and reexported under a license exception as tools of trade, thereby relieving exporters of the regulatory burden of applying for authorization. Finally, this IFR clarifies which items fall within the scope of the EAR's entry clearance requirements for a temporary import.

This final rule implements regulations for amendment 36 to the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan (Groundfish FMP). The regulations include management measures that apply to vessels registered to limited entry fixed gear (LEFG) endorsed permits and LEFG permit owners in the Pacific Coast groundfish fishery. Specifically, NMFS will: add flexibility to the LEFG permits' gear endorsements; remove the base permit designation of LEFG permits; remove the start and end times (i.e., hours of the day) for the open dates of the primary sablefish season; and develop a cost recovery program for the LEFG primary sablefish fishery. The purpose of this action is to provide increased flexibility to LEFG participants while reducing administrative burdens, and to develop a cost recovery program to meet the requirements of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act).

NMFS announces that the State of North Carolina is transferring a portion of its 2026 commercial summer flounder quota to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. This adjustment to the 2026 fishing year quota is necessary to comply with the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fishery Management Plan (FMP) quota transfer provisions. This announcement informs the public of the revised 2026 commercial quotas for North Carolina and Massachusetts.

NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by American Fisheries Act (AFA) trawl catcher/processors in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the annual 2026 Pacific cod total allowable catch (TAC) allocated to AFA trawl catcher/processors in the BSAI.

NMFS closes the Harpoon category fishery for large medium and giant (i.e., measuring 73 inches (185 centimeters (cm)) curved fork length (CFL) or greater) Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) for the remainder of the 2026 fishing year. This closure applies to Atlantic Tunas Harpoon category permitted vessels.

NMFS, upon request from Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), is promulgating regulations to govern the taking of marine mammals incidental to fisheries research in the coastal bays of Texas over the course of 5 years. These regulations, which allow for the issuance of a Letter of Authorization (LOA) for the incidental take of marine mammals during the specified activities in the specified geographical region during the effective dates of the regulations, prescribe the permissible methods of taking and other means of effecting the least practicable adverse impact on marine mammal species or stocks and their habitat, as well as requirements pertaining to the monitoring and reporting of such taking.

NMFS announces an inseason action for the 2026 Pacific halibut non-Tribal directed commercial fishery in the International Pacific Halibut Commission's (IPHC) regulatory Area 2A. This action adds a fishing period, July 21 through July 23, 2026, with a fishing period catch limit of 5,000 pounds (lb) (2.27 metric tons (mt)) per vessel, dressed weight. This action is intended to provide additional opportunity for the fleet to achieve the 2026 non-Tribal directed commercial fishery allocation.

NMFS announces that the State of North Carolina is transferring a portion of its 2026 commercial summer flounder quota to the Commonwealth of Virginia. This adjustment to the 2026 fishing year quota is necessary to comply with the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fishery Management Plan (FMP) quota transfer provisions. This announcement informs the public of the revised 2026 commercial quotas for North Carolina and Virginia.

NMFS is transferring 6.4 metric tons (mt) of Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) quota from the Reserve category to the Harpoon category resulting in an adjusted Harpoon category quota 65.6 mt and a Reserve category quota of 1 mt. This action is intended to provide further harvest opportunities for Harpoon category fishermen, based on consideration of the regulatory determination criteria regarding inseason adjustments and applies to Atlantic Tunas Harpoon category (commercial) permitted vessels. The Harpoon category fishery will remain open until November 15, 2026, or until the adjusted Harpoon quota is reached, whichever comes first.

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO or Office) issues this final rule to effectuate a nomenclature change by substituting generic terminology for references to particular electronic filing systems used to submit correspondence related to international applications originating with the United States under the Protocol Relating to the Madrid Agreement Concerning the International Registration of Marks (Madrid Protocol). This amendment clarifies terminology without changing filing requirements or statutory obligations.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) designated the Lake Ontario National Marine Sanctuary (LONMS) on June 6, 2024, and the final rule became effective on July 22, 2024. However, as discussed in the final rule, the effective date for the provision that prohibits grappling into or anchoring on shipwreck sites (grappling and anchoring provision) was stayed until July 21, 2026. This action further extends the stay of the effective date of the grappling and anchoring provision of the final rule until September 21, 2028.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS; collectively referred to as the "Services") rescind the regulatory definition of "harm" in our Endangered Species Act (ESA or the Act) regulations. This rescission removes the regulatory definition of "harm" from the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) in Title 50 parts 17 and 222.

In this final rule, the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) amends the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) to provide enhanced favorable treatment for the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Specifically, BIS is removing the UAE from Country Groups D:3 and D:4 and adding the UAE to Country Group A:5. More license exceptions will now be available, including Strategic Trade Authorization (STA) for the UAE Government and approved commercial entities in the UAE. STA will authorize the export, reexport, or transfer (in-country) of military items; certain commercial satellites and spacecraft; and dual-use items useful in, inter alia, oil and gas production, desalination, and civil nuclear power generation. The UAE Government and approved commercial entities will also have license-free access to advanced computing items, consistent with the May 2025 U.S.-UAE Artificial Intelligence Cooperation framework, without compromising U.S. digital infrastructure buildout.

NMFS approves and implements specifications for the Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fishery Management Plan (FMP), as recommended by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council). This action sets the 2026 and projects the 2027-2028 specifications for the chub mackerel and Illex squid fisheries and reaffirms the previously projected 2026 specifications for the longfin squid and butterfish fisheries. These final specifications are intended to establish allowable harvest levels that will prevent overfishing, consistent with the most recent scientific information.

The Census Bureau provides an Age Search service of confidential records from the 1910 to 2020 decennial censuses and can issue an official transcript of the results to authorized individuals. With this rule, the Census Bureau will increase the fee for conducting an Age Search from $65.00 to $155.00. The Census Bureau will increase the additional charge for expedited requests requiring search results within one day from $20.00 per case to $50.00 per case. These changes are needed to reflect the actual operating costs associated with processing an Age Search request which were last revised in 2004.

NMFS is creating an exception to the prohibition on landing dogs on the Pribilof Islands to allow the Regional Administrator to authorize independently certified and trained rodent detection dogs to be deployed to detect and prevent the establishment of invasive rodents. Invasive rodents could have significant consequences for the wildlife species that live and breed on the Pribilof Islands and the health and food security of community members. Public comments received expressed broad support for the proposed rule with some minor clarifications. NMFS is publishing this interim final rule to allow public comment on the decision to authorize certified and trained rodent detection dogs to pre-emptively inspect vessels or cargo. This action supports Tribal, local, and Federal agency efforts intended to promote the goals and objectives of the Fur Seal Act (FSA), the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), and other applicable laws.

NMFS is issuing regulations under the Tuna Conventions Act (TCA) of 1950, as amended, to implement resolutions adopted at the 103rd Meeting of the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) in September 2025. The final rule also implements several provisions of Resolution C-19-04 (Resolution to Mitigate Impacts on Sea Turtles) that were not previously implemented and makes technical corrections to regulations for fishing under the Agreement on the International Dolphin Conservation Program (AIDCP). The management measures in this rule apply to fishing vessels targeting tropical tuna (i.e., bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus), yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares), and skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis)) in the eastern Pacific Ocean (EPO). This rule is necessary for the conservation and management of tropical tuna stocks in the EPO and for the United States to satisfy its obligations as a member of the IATTC.

NMFS closes the Angling category Southern New England area fishery for large medium and giant ("trophy" (i.e., measuring 73 inches (185 centimeters (cm)) curved fork length or greater)) Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT). This action applies to Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Angling and HMS Charter/Headboat permitted vessels when fishing recreationally.

For the 2026 fishing year, NMFS announces the opening date of the red snapper commercial fishing season in the South Atlantic exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Announcing the opening date of the commercial season is an accountability measure (AM) for the commercial sector and allows fishers to maximize their opportunity to harvest the commercial annual catch limit (ACL).

NMFS implements regulations to incorporate revised Atlantic cod stock units into the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan (FMP), and set status determination criteria (SDC), specifications, and commercial and recreational management measures, for the four new cod stocks, as proposed. This action also sets other recreational cod measures necessary for the fishery. The purpose of this action is to prevent overfishing, ensure rebuilding, and help achieve optimum yield in the Northeast multispecies (groundfish) fisheries consistent with the status of the stocks and requirements of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act).

NMFS issues this final rule to standardize the time limit in which trawl catcher/processors (C/Ps) participating in the groundfish fisheries in the Gulf of Alaska Management Area (GOA) and the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (BSAI) must assign each haul to a management program. This action is necessary to improve consistency with respect to when trawl C/Ps are required to assign a haul to a specific management program in a logbook. It allows additional time for vessel operators participating in the Western Alaska Community Development Quota (CDQ) and non-CDQ fisheries on the same trip to determine which management program to assign a haul to. This rule is intended to promote the goals and objectives of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act), the Fishery Management Plans (FMPs) for Groundfish of the GOA and BSAI Management Areas, and other applicable laws.

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is revising its practice of requiring additional information for delays in taking certain actions in patent applications and patents from requiring additional information for delays exceeding two years to requiring additional information for delays exceeding one year. This action is being taken to increase certainty and predictability concerning patent rights, and to encourage the timely filing of grantable petitions to revive applications, accept delayed maintenance fee payments, accept delayed priority or benefit claims, and excuse an applicant's failure to act within prescribed time limits in connection with international design applications. In addition, the USPTO is changing the conditions for when the corresponding petition fee is required.

NMFS is issuing final regulations to remove the Cordell Bank Groundfish Conservation Area off central California for all groundfish fisheries and implement a new Groundfish Exclusion Area for all groundfish fisheries to protect sensitive habitat. The purpose of this action is to simplify regulatory complexity associated with overlapping fishery closures in the Cordell Bank area, and to increase fishing opportunities while still protecting the Cordell Bank ecosystem.

NMFS announces that the State of North Carolina is transferring a portion of its 2026 commercial summer flounder quota to the Commonwealth of Virginia. This adjustment to the 2026 fishing year quota is necessary to comply with the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fishery Management Plan (FMP) quota transfer provisions. This announcement informs the public of the revised 2026 commercial quotas for North Carolina and Virginia.

NMFS announces the final 2026 harvest specifications for the salmon fishery of the Cook Inlet exclusive economic zone (EEZ) Area. This action is necessary to establish harvest limits for salmon during the 2026 fishing year and to accomplish the goals and objectives of the Fishery Management Plan for Salmon Fisheries in the EEZ off Alaska (Salmon FMP). The intended effect of this action is to conserve and manage the salmon resources in Cook Inlet EEZ Area in accordance with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson- Stevens Act).

NMFS issues regulations to implement management measures described in a framework action under the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf (FMP), as prepared by the Gulf Council (Council). This final rule modifies the Gulf of America (Gulf) Other Shallow-Water Grouper (SWG) complex catch limits and sets a recreational fixed-closed season for Gulf Other SWG. The purpose of this final rule is to reduce harvest of Gulf scamp and yellowmouth grouper while the Council develops Amendment 58A to the FMP (Amendment 58A), which considers additional Other SWG management measures.

NMFS is implementing annual management measures for the 2026 non-Tribal directed commercial Pacific halibut fishery that operates south of Point Chehalis, WA, (lat. 46[deg]53.30' N) in the International Pacific Halibut Commission's (IPHC) Regulatory Area 2A off Washington, Oregon, and California. Annual management measures include fishing periods and fishing period limits. This action is intended to conserve Pacific halibut, while providing fishing opportunity to achieve the Regulatory Area 2A allocation set by the IPHC.

This temporary rule extends emergency measures that increase 2026 harvest specifications and sector allocations for shortspine thornyhead, canary rockfish, and petrale sole in the Pacific Coast groundfish fishery. This increase in harvest specifications is based on new, recently discovered information from the latest catch-only projections, which show a higher biomass of these species available for harvest than determined by stock assessments used to set the 2025-2026 harvest specifications and management measures. This action is necessary to alleviate significant direct economic loss caused by restrictive annual catch limits for these species.

NMFS announces 2026 specifications and projects 2027 and 2028 specifications for the Northeast skate fishery as recommended by the New England Fishery Management Council. This action sets skate catch limits for fishing year 2026, projects catch limits for fishing years 2027 and 2028, and increases trip possession limits for the wing and bait fisheries. This action is necessary to establish skate specifications consistent with the most recent scientific information. The intent of this action is to establish appropriate catch limits for the skate fishery, while providing additional operational flexibility to fishery participants.

This final rule implements and informs the public of specifications for the 2026 fishing year for the golden tilefish and blueline tilefish fisheries north of the North Carolina/Virginia border. This action is necessary to establish allowable harvest levels and other management measures to prevent overfishing while allowing optimum yield, consistent with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) and the Tilefish Fishery Management Plan (FMP).

By this rule, EDA removes its regulations pertaining to trade adjustment assistance for firms, effective September 30, 2028. The removal of these regulations is ultimately necessary to reflect both the lapse of the underlying statutory authorization as well as the inactive status of this assistance program, and to ensure that EDA's body of regulations remains accurate and up-to-date. This action is intended to eliminate outdated regulatory language, and thereby reduce the possibility of confusion, without altering any substantive obligation or entitlement.

By this rule, Commerce is eliminating a part of the Code of Federal Regulations that merely cross-references the Federal Highway Administration's relocation assistance and real property acquisition regulations. This action is necessary to streamline the Code of Federal Regulations and eliminate regulatory language that lacks any legal or meaningful practical effect. The intended effect of this action is to reduce administrative redundancy without altering any substantive obligations or entitlements.

By this rule, Commerce is eliminating its agency-specific regulations pertaining to the operation of vending stands. The regulations being eliminated lack a sufficient statutory authorization and are substantively unnecessary, given the existence of other, government-wide regulations implementing the Randolph-Sheppard Vending Stand Act and addressing the same issues. This action is necessary to ensure statutory conformity and streamline Commerce's body of regulations, and it will do so without diminishing any statutory obligation or entitlement.

On March 30, 2026, the Bureau of the Census (Census Bureau) published a final rule in the Federal Register entitled " Streamlining the Census Bureau's Foreign Trade Regulations", which became effective on March 30, 2026. Subsequent review of the final rule in the Federal Register identified an error necessitating corrective action. Accordingly, this final rule issues a non-substantive correction to the Foreign Trade Regulations.

NMFS announces an inseason action for the Pacific halibut recreational fishery in the International Pacific Halibut Commission's (IPHC) regulatory Area 2A. This action adds fishing dates (June 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23) in the Columbia River subarea. These additional fishing dates are intended to provide additional opportunity for anglers to achieve the overall recreational fishery allocations in the Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Council) 2026 Pacific Halibut Catch Sharing Plan and to promote full utilization of the 2026 Area 2A Pacific halibut catch limits.

NMFS issues regulations to implement Amendment 55 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic (FMP), as prepared and submitted by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council). This final rule removes yellowmouth grouper from the other South Atlantic shallow water grouper (other SASWG) complex and establishes a new scamp and yellowmouth grouper complex. This final rule establishes catch levels, sector management measures, and accountability measures (AM) for the new scamp and yellowmouth grouper complex and establishes catch levels for the revised other SASWG complex. In addition, Amendment 55 establishes a rebuilding plan, sector allocations, and status determination criteria (SDC) for the scamp and yellowmouth grouper complex. The purpose of this final rule and Amendment 55 is to rebuild the scamp and yellowmouth grouper stock and achieve optimum yield (OY) while minimizing to the extent practicable adverse social and economic effects.

NMFS is prohibiting fishing with large-mesh drift gillnet (DGN) gear (>=14 inches mesh) off the coast of southern California east of 120[deg] W meridian from June 1, 2026, through August 31, 2026. This prohibition is based on the fact that the NOAA Climate Prediction Center (CPC) has indicated that the sea surface temperature off the coast of southern California for March and April is warmer than normal and there is an 82 percent probability that El Ni[ntilde]o conditions may occur between May-July. This action protects Endangered Species Act-listed loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta), specifically the endangered North Pacific Ocean Distinct Population Segment.

NMFS implements an accountability measure (AM) and closure for the recreational harvest of snowy grouper in South Atlantic Federal waters. NMFS reduces the length of the snowy grouper 2026 recreational fishing season to prevent landings from exceeding the recreational annual catch limit (ACL) in 2026 as they did in 2025. Accordingly, NMFS announces the adjusted closure date for the snowy grouper 2026 recreational fishing season in South Atlantic Federal waters to protect the snowy grouper resource.

NMFS is decreasing the Harpoon category daily retention limit from the default of no more than a combined total of 10 large medium and giant bluefin tuna (BFT) (i.e., measuring 73 inches (185 cm) or greater curved fork length (CFL)), to no more than a combined total of 5 large medium and giant BFT. The incidental catch limit of two large medium BFT per vessel per day/trip remains unchanged. This retention limit applies to Atlantic Tunas Harpoon category permitted vessels from June 1 through the remainder of the 2026 Harpoon category fishing season, which concludes on November 15, 2026, or until further modified.

NMFS implements an accountability measure (AM) for the recreational harvest of greater amberjack in Federal waters of the Gulf of America (Gulf). The 2026-2027 fishing season for greater amberjack begins on September 1, 2026. NMFS has projected that recreational landings of greater amberjack will reach the annual catch target (ACT) by October 14, 2026. Therefore, the recreational fishing season will be open from September 1 through October 13 and will close on October 14, 2026. NMFS implements this recreational AM to protect the greater amberjack resource.

NMFS is adjusting the Angling category Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) daily retention limit from the default of one school, large school, or small medium BFT to: two BFT per vessel per day/trip measuring 27 inches (68.5 cm) to less than 73 inches (185 cm) curved fork length (CFL), only one of which can be large school/small medium- sized fish (47 inches (119 cm) to less than 73 inches (185 cm) CFL) for private vessels with Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Angling category permits; three BFT per vessel per day/trip measuring 27 inches to less than 73 inches CFL, only one of which can be large school/small medium for charter boat vessels with HMS Charter/Headboat permits when fishing recreationally for BFT; and six BFT per vessel per day/trip measuring 27 inches to less than 73 inches CFL, only one of which can be large school/small medium for headboat vessels with HMS Charter/Headboat permits when fishing recreationally for BFT. These retention limits are effective in all areas, except for the Gulf of America, where targeted fishing for BFT is prohibited.

NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by vessels using jig gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the A season allowance of the 2026 total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific cod allocated to vessels using jig gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA.

On August 14, 2025, the Bureau of the Census (Census Bureau) published a final rule in the Federal Register entitled "Foreign Trade Regulations (FTR): Clarification of Filing Requirements Regarding In- Transit Shipments and Other FTR Provisions", which became effective on September 15, 2025. Subsequent review of the final rule in the Code of Federal Regulations identified errors necessitating corrective action. Accordingly, this final rule issues non-substantive corrections to the FTR.

NMFS closes the Angling category Gulf of America fishery for large medium and giant ("trophy" (i.e., measuring 73 inches (185 centimeters (cm)) curved fork length or greater)) Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT). This action applies to Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Angling and HMS Charter/Headboat permitted vessels when fishing recreationally.

NMFS implements an accountability measure (AM) for the recreational harvest of gag in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the Gulf of America (Gulf) for the 2026 fishing year. The recreational fishing season for Gulf gag opens on September 1, and NMFS has projected that recreational landings of gag will reach the annual catch target (ACT) by October 1. Therefore, recreational fishing for gag in the Gulf EEZ will be open from September 1 through September 30 and will close on October 1, 2026. The recreational harvest of Gulf gag will remain closed through the end of the fishing year on December 31, 2026. NMFS implements this recreational AM to protect the gag resource.

NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher/processors using hook-and-line (HAL) gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the A season allowance of the 2026 Pacific cod total allowable catch (TAC) allocated to catcher/processors using HAL gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA.

In this final rule, NMFS is changing regulations to implement the binding International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) Recommendation 24-12 on mobulid rays of the family Mobulidae. Specifically, this action prohibits retention of mobulid rays in fisheries for Atlantic highly migratory species (HMS), requires mobulid rays to be released unharmed in HMS fisheries, and implements mobulid ray handling practices for vessels fishing with pelagic longline gear.

NMFS announces the 2026 recreational fishing season for blueline tilefish in South Atlantic Federal waters. Announcing the length of the recreational fishing season is the accountability measure (AM) for the recreational sector. For the 2026 fishing year, NMFS estimates that recreational landings of blueline tilefish will not reach the recreational annual catch limit (ACL) and therefore not close prior to the recreational fixed seasonal closure that begins on September 1, 2026. NMFS announces the season length for the recreational harvest of blueline tilefish in the South Atlantic to allow recreational fishermen to maximize their fishing opportunities while NMFS manages recreational harvest to protect the blueline tilefish resource.

Through this final rule, NMFS establishes fishery management measures for the ocean salmon fisheries off Washington, Oregon, and California for the season beginning May 16, 2026, until the effective date of the 2027 management measures which we expect to be May 16, 2027 (the 2026 ocean salmon fishing season), under the authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA). The fishery management measures include fishing areas, seasons, quotas, legal gear, recreational fishing days and catch limits, harvest guidelines, possession and landing restrictions, and minimum lengths for salmon taken in the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) off Washington, Oregon, and California. These measures are intended to prevent overfishing while achieving, on a continuing basis, the optimum yield from the fishery, to provide for the exercise of federally recognized fishing rights by West Coast Indian Tribes, to allow a portion of the salmon runs to escape the ocean fisheries in order to provide for spawning escapement, and to apportion the ocean harvest reasonably among non-Indian commercial and recreational fisheries.

NMFS, upon request from the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program (IBRP), issues this final rule and associated 5-year letter of authorization (LOA) pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), to govern the taking of marine mammals incidental to construction activities conducted in support of the Interstate Bridge Replacement Project (IBR Project) on Interstate 5 (I-5) between Portland, Oregon, and Vancouver, Washington, over the course of 5 years. This final rule prescribes the permissible methods of taking and other means of effecting the least practicable adverse impact on marine mammal species and their habitat and establishes requirements pertaining to the monitoring and reporting of such taking.

NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher/processors using hook-and-line (HAL) gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the A season allowance of the 2026 total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific cod allocated to catcher/processors using HAL gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA.

This final rule announces the 2026 U.S. total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific whiting and implements the domestic 2026 harvest specifications for Pacific whiting fisheries off the coasts of Washington, Oregon, and California (collectively, the West Coast), including the 2026 Tribal allocation for the Pacific whiting fishery, the non-Tribal fishery Harvest Guideline and sector allocations, and a set-aside for research activities and incidental mortality in non- groundfish fisheries. These measures are intended to help prevent overfishing, achieve optimum yield, ensure that management measures are based on the best scientific information available, and provide for the implementation of Tribal treaty fishing rights.

This action implements measures for the Northeast multispecies fishery under Regional Administrator authority for the 2026 fishing year. This action is necessary to ensure that the Northeast multispecies fishery may achieve the optimum yield for the relevant stocks, while controlling catch to help prevent in-season closures or quota overages. These measures are the allocation of zero trips into the Closed Area II Yellowtail Flounder/Haddock Special Access Program (SAP) for common pool vessels to target yellowtail flounder and the closure of the Regular B Days-at-Sea (DAS) Program.

Recreational landings of red snapper in Louisiana during 2025 exceeded the annual catch limit (ACL) apportioned to the state for the private angling component of the recreational sector. According to the accountability measure (AM), NMFS reduces Louisiana's 2026 ACL for red snapper in the Gulf of America (Gulf) by the amount of the overage in 2025. NMFS implements this AM for the 2026 fishing year to protect the red snapper resource in the Gulf.

By this rule, Commerce is updating and amending its regulations implementing the Helping American Victims Afflicted by Neurological Attacks (HAVANA) Act of 2021. This action will ensure statutory conformity, clarify and improve Commerce's regulations, and promote inter-agency uniformity without diminishing any substantive requirements, entitlements, or obligations established by the HAVANA Act.

NMFS announces that the Commonwealth of Virginia is transferring a portion of its 2026 commercial summer flounder quota to the State of New Jersey. This adjustment to the 2026 fishing year quota is necessary to comply with the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fishery Management Plan (FMP) quota transfer provisions. This announcement informs the public of the revised 2026 commercial quotas for Virginia and New Jersey.

This final rule announces routine inseason adjustments to management measures in commercial and recreational groundfish fisheries. This action is intended to allow commercial and recreational fishing vessels to access more abundant groundfish stocks while protecting overfished and depleted stocks. Additionally, this inseason action is expected to help achieve the full attainment of the groundfish annual catch limit (ACL), thereby supporting $164 million in ex-vessel revenue for commercial non-whiting groundfish landings and approximately 100,000 annual angler trips off Oregon.

This final rule approves changes to the Pacific Halibut Catch Sharing Plan (CSP) for the International Pacific Halibut Commission's (IPHC) Regulatory Area 2A off Washington, Oregon, and California. In addition, the rule implements management measures for the 2026 recreational fisheries in Regulatory Area 2A, including the recreational fishery season open dates and subarea allocations for Regulatory Area 2A. These actions are intended to conserve Pacific halibut, while providing additional angler opportunity to achieve the Regulatory Area 2A allocation set by the IPHC.

In this action, NMFS adjusts the base annual commercial quotas for the 2026 Atlantic shark commercial fishing year as allowable based on underharvests from the 2025 fishing year. The 2026 Atlantic shark commercial fishing year opened on January 1, 2026, under the base annual commercial quotas and default commercial retention limits. This action is necessary to provide additional fishing opportunities for commercial shark fishermen to harvest optimum yield from the Atlantic shark fisheries.

NMFS approves and implements Federal management measures for the 2026 and 2027 summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass recreational fisheries. This action implements management measures intended to allow these recreational fisheries to achieve, but not exceed, the recreational harvest target and thereby prevent overfishing.

NMFS is prohibiting recreational fishing for Chinook salmon in the Cook Inlet exclusive economic zone (EEZ) Area. This action is necessary for the conservation of Cook Inlet Chinook salmon stocks that continue to be in a low state of abundance as assessed in the NMFS 2026 stock assessment and fisheries evaluation (SAFE) report and the 2026 State of Alaska forecasts of very low run strength.

NMFS announces the implementation of Framework Adjustment 18 to the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fishery Management Plan (FMP). This framework modifies exemptions to the minimum mesh size requirements in the commercial summer flounder fishery. The purpose of this action is to increase operational flexibility for the commercial fishing industry.

NMFS is implementing Framework Adjustment 19 to the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fishery Management Plan (FMP) and Framework Adjustment 7 to the Bluefish FMP (together the "Recreational Measures Setting Process Framework") that make limited revisions to the process for setting recreational management measures and recreational accountability measures for summer flounder, scup, black sea bass, and bluefish.

This final rule allocates Northeast multispecies annual catch entitlements (ACE) to approved groundfish sectors and permit banks for fishing year 2026 based on 2026 annual catch limits (ACL) set in Framework Adjustment 69 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan (FMP) or default specifications and provides notice of specifications for 11 stocks that are set by default in accordance with existing regulations. This action is intended to allow limited access permit holders to continue to operate sectors, as authorized under the FMP.

NMFS approves and implements Framework Adjustment 17 to the Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fishery Management Plan (FMP). This action revises the Atlantic mackerel rebuilding plan, sets final 2026 and projects 2027 specifications, implements additional management measures for the mackerel fishery, and makes administrative revisions and corrections to existing regulations. This action is necessary to respond to updated scientific information from a September 2025 management track stock assessment. The management measures in this action are intended to help prevent overfishing, rebuild the overfished mackerel stock, provide additional opportunity to the fishing industry and achieve optimum yield, and ensure that management measures are based on the best scientific information available.

NMFS is soliciting public input to inform potential revisions to the implementing regulations pursuant to the import provisions of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). NMFS is initiating a comprehensive review of the import regulations to increase efficiency of the program while ensuring that the objectives of the statute are met.

We, NMFS, have completed a comprehensive status review for the smalltail shark (Carcharhinus porosus) in response to a petition from the Center for Biological Diversity to list the species. After reviewing the best scientific and commercial data available, including the Status Review Report, we have determined that listing the smalltail shark as a threatened or endangered species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) is not warranted.

NMFS proposes to implement annual catch limits (ACL) and an accountability measure (AM) for the Hawaii deepwater shrimp and precious coral fisheries for each fishing year from 2026 to 2028. As a post-season AM, NMFS proposes to determine whether the average catch of any stock from the most recent 3 years exceeds an ACL and reduce the ACL for that stock for the subsequent fishing year by the amount of any overage. The proposed ACLs and AMs are unchanged from past measures implemented for the fisheries. This proposed rule supports the long- term sustainability of Hawaii deepwater shrimp and precious coral.

NMFS proposes to implement management measures described in Framework Amendment 14 under the Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for the Coastal Migratory Pelagic (CMP) Resources in the Gulf and Atlantic Region, as prepared by the Gulf and South Atlantic Fishery Management Councils (Councils). If implemented, this proposed rule would modify the annual catch limit (ACL) for the Gulf migratory group of Spanish mackerel (Spanish mackerel) in the Gulf of America (Gulf) based on the results of the most recent stock assessment. Additionally, this proposed rule would modify the current accountability measure (AM) for Gulf Spanish mackerel from an in-season closure AM to a post-season AM. The purpose of these regulatory changes is to ensure the stock ACL and AM are based on the best scientific information available and to achieve optimum yield (OY).

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO or Office) is proposing to amend the rules of practice to require a third party request for ex parte reexamination to include a statement by the third party requester identifying all real parties in interest to the ex parte reexamination request. This statement would be kept confidential upon request. This proposed requirement would provide the Office with a mechanism to evaluate statutory estoppel provisions. It would also enhance the Office's ability to respond to false certifications, misrepresentations, and fraud.

NMFS announces that the Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) submitted amendment 38 to the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan (Groundfish FMP) to the Secretary of Commerce for review. If approved, amendment 38 would revise the Groundfish FMP to reflect the rebuilt status of yelloweye rockfish and the California stock of quillback rockfish, removing all references to their respective rebuilding plans from the FMP. In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, NMFS also announces the availability of a draft EA that analyzes the potential effects of the action. NMFS requests public comment on the draft EA.

The North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) submitted amendment 129 to the Fishery Management Plans for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (BSAI FMP) and amendment 58 to the Fishery Management Plan for Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands King and Tanner Crabs (Crab FMP) to the Secretary of Commerce for review. If approved, amendments 129 and 58 would remove requirements for fishery participants to submit Economic Data Reports (EDRs) each year, reducing cost recovery fees and eliminating redundant reporting requirements. Amendments 129 and 58 are intended to promote the goals and objectives of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act), the BSAI FMP, the Crab FMP, and other applicable laws.

NMFS seeks public comment on proposed regulations to implement Abbreviated Framework Amendment 5 (Abbreviated Framework 5) under the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region (FMP). If implemented by NMFS, this proposed rule would revise catch levels for blueline tilefish in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the South Atlantic. The purposes of these proposed regulatory changes are to ensure the catch levels for blueline tilefish are based on the best scientific information available (BSIA), to achieve and maintain optimum yield (OY), and to prevent overfishing while minimizing adverse social and economic effects to the extent practicable in accordance with NMFS' statutory mandates.

NMFS proposes to implement the Omnibus Management Flexibility Amendment to the New England Fishery Management Council (Council) Fishery Management Plans (FMPs) (Amendment), as prepared by the Council. This proposed rule would allow for changes to the specifications process, in-season adjustment authority, and preparation of Council reports and reviews. The purpose of this action is to address the need for increased management flexibility and consistency across all the Council's FMPs.

NMFS proposes regulations to implement Amendment 4 to the Puerto Rico Fishery Management Plan (Puerto Rico FMP), as prepared and submitted by the Caribbean Fishery Management Council (Council). The proposed rule would reclassify rainbow runner from a reef fish to a pelagic fish under the Puerto Rico FMP. The proposed rule would implement management measures for rainbow runner based on the pelagic fish classification, including sector annual catch targets (ACTs) and accountability measures (AMs). The sector-specific annual catch limits (ACLs) would be retained after the reclassification. The purpose of this proposed rule and Amendment 4 is to ensure that rainbow runner is managed consistent with its life history characteristics, fishing patterns, and with the Council's management of other pelagic species.

NMFS proposes to implement management measures described in Amendment 62 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf (FMP) (Amendment 62), as prepared and submitted by the Gulf Council (Council). This proposed rule and Amendment 62 would revise the catch limits and sector allocations for Gulf of America (Gulf) red grouper, based on the best scientific information available. Additionally, this proposed rule would remove the shallow-water grouper (SWG) recreational seasonal closure, from February 1 through March 31, in Gulf Federal waters seaward of the 20-fathom boundary.

We, NMFS, announce a 12-month finding on a petition to revise the critical habitat designation under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) for the Southern California steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) distinct population segment (DPS). The petition from the United Water Conservation District (UWCD) requests the removal of an approximately 9-mile (14.5-kilometer (km)) stream reach from the confluence of Hopper Creek and the Santa Clara River to the face of Santa Felicia Dam. Based on our review of the best scientific and commercial data available, we find that the petitioned action to remove this reach from the critical habitat designation is warranted. Consequently, we are proposing to remove this reach from the critical habitat designation for Southern California steelhead.

NMFS proposes to implement annual harvest specifications and management measures for the northern subpopulation of Pacific sardine (hereafter, Pacific sardine), for the fishing year from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027. This proposed rule would prohibit most directed commercial fishing for Pacific sardine off the coasts of Washington, Oregon, and California. Pacific sardine harvest would be allowed for use only as live bait, in minor directed fisheries, as incidental catch in other fisheries, or as authorized under exempted fishing permits. The proposed harvest specifications for 2026-2027 include an overfishing limit of 4,645 metric tons (mt), an acceptable biological catch (ABC) of 3,613 mt, an annual catch limit (ACL) of 2,200 mt, and an annual catch target (ACT) of 2,100 mt. This proposed rule is intended to conserve, manage, and rebuild the Pacific sardine stock off the coasts of Washington, Oregon, and California.

The Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) has submitted Amendment 22 to the Coastal Pelagic Species (CPS) Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for review by the Secretary of Commerce. This notification announces that the proposed Amendment 22 to the CPS FMP is available for public review and comment and is currently being reviewed by NMFS for approval, disapproval, or partial approval. If approved, Amendment 22 would update essential fish habitat (EFH) provisions for stocks managed under the CPS FMP based on a recent review of available information. There are no management measures proposed as part of this action, and no regulations are necessary to implement the proposed updates. The Council has proposed this amendment with the intention to promote the goals and objectives of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA), the CPS FMP, and other applicable laws. NMFS will consider public comments in deciding whether to approve, disapprove, or partially approve Amendment 22.

NMFS seeks public comment on the management measures proposed in Amendment 19 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Shrimp Fishery of the Gulf (Shrimp FMP). The Gulf Council (Council) has submitted Amendment 19 for review, approval, and implementation by NMFS. If approved, Amendment 19 would extend the moratorium on the issuance of new commercial shrimp permits in the Gulf of America (Gulf) that is set to expire after October 26, 2026. NMFS implemented the permit moratorium to create stability and prevent overcapacity in the Gulf shrimp fishery. Amendment 19 would extend the permit moratorium for an additional 10 years and maintain historical limits on shrimp fishing effort.

NMFS seeks public comment on proposed regulations to implement management measures described in amendments to four fishery management plans (FMPs) in the Gulf of America (Gulf), South Atlantic, and Atlantic, referenced here as the Commercial Electronic Logbook Amendments. If the Commercial Electronic Logbook Amendments are implemented by NMFS through this proposed rule, submission of certain commercial fishing logbooks would be required in an electronic format rather than the current paper format. NMFS is also proposing minor changes to some of the required data fields in the logbooks determined to be necessary to successfully transition from paper to electronic reporting. The purpose of this proposed rule is to increase the accuracy and efficiency of fisheries data that NMFS receives from federally permitted fishermen participating in the applicable commercial fisheries that occur in the Gulf, South Atlantic, and Atlantic.

The Caribbean Fishery Management Council (Council) submitted Amendment 4 to the Puerto Rico Fishery Management Plan (Puerto Rico FMP) for review, approval, and implementation by NMFS. If approved, Amendment 4 would reclassify rainbow runner from a reef fish to a pelagic fish under the Puerto Rico FMP. Amendment 4 would result in revised management measures for rainbow runner based on the pelagic fish classification, including sector annual catch targets (ACTs) and accountability measures (AMs). The sector-specific annual catch limits (ACLs) would be retained after the reclassification. The purpose of Amendment 4 is to ensure that rainbow runner is managed consistent with its life history characteristics, fishing patterns, and the Council's management of other pelagic species.

NMFS announces that the New England Fishery Management Council (Council) has transmitted the Omnibus Management Flexibility Amendment to the New England Fishery Management Council Fishery Management Plans (FMP) to the Secretary of Commerce for review. If approved, the Amendment would allow for increased management flexibility and consistency across all the Council's FMPs. The intended effect of the Amendment is to modify certain administrative measures across all the Council's FMPs. This notice is intended to alert the public to this action and provide an opportunity for comment.

NMFS is proposing to implement recent binding recommendations of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) on quotas for North Atlantic swordfish, South Atlantic swordfish, North Atlantic albacore tuna (northern albacore), and Atlantic bluefin tuna. While this action does not propose to change the existing baseline quotas for North Atlantic swordfish, South Atlantic swordfish, and northern albacore, this action proposes to implement the management procedure for North Atlantic swordfish, describes the existing management procedure for northern albacore, and considers the possibility of future quota changes for swordfish and northern albacore consistent with their respective management procedures and ICCAT recommendations. For bluefin tuna, this action also proposes to implement the increased U.S. baseline quota adopted by ICCAT in 2025, divide it among the established regulatory domestic subquota categories, and implement changes to the bluefin tuna quota associated with longline bycatch adopted by ICCAT in 2025. This proposed rule also describes the annual quota adjustment procedures for North Atlantic swordfish, South Atlantic swordfish, northern albacore, and bluefin tuna and requests public comment on them. This action is required by the Atlantic Tunas Convention Act (ATCA) and to achieve domestic management objectives under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act).

NMFS proposes to implement management measures described in Amendment 58B to the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf (FMP) (Amendment 58B). For the deep-water grouper (DWG) complex, this proposed rule would revise the catch limits, set a recreational annual catch limit (ACL), and revise the recreational accountability measure (AM). Amendment 58B would also revise the status determination criteria and sector allocations for the DWG complex. The purpose of this proposed rule and Amendment 58B is to update catch levels, management measures, and sector allocations for the DWG complex consistent with the best scientific information available.

NMFS proposes regulatory and administrative changes to implement improvements to the Greater Atlantic Region's Catch Share Cost Recovery Programs. These updates are intended to simplify regulations and reduce costs for the Scallop Individual Fishing Quota, Tilefish Individual Fishing Quota, and Surfclam and Ocean Quahog Individual Transferable Quota fisheries. This action would result in improved administration and management of the scallop, tilefish, and surfclam and ocean quahog fisheries.

NMFS proposes a framework to determine catch limits for all U.S. fisheries and retention limits by U.S. longline fisheries under a Hawaii longline limited entry permit for Western and Central North Pacific Ocean (WCNPO) striped marlin (Kajikia audax), consistent with Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) Conservation and Management Measure (CMM) 2024-06. If the retention limit is reached, NMFS proposes to prohibit longline retention of WCNPO striped marlin by longline fishing vessels until the end of the year to prevent the U.S. catch limit from being exceeded. Because the U.S. limit under the framework can change each year, NMFS proposes to specify the updated catch and longline retention limits by notice in the Federal Register early each calendar year. For fishing year 2026, NMFS proposes to specify a U.S. WCNPO striped marlin limit of 393.4 metric tons (mt) (867,300 pounds (lb)) and a U.S. longline retention limit of 381.6 mt (841,300 lb) using the framework.