2026 Northeast Skate Fishery Catch Limits and Trip Limits
AI-generated summary for informational purposes only. Not legal advice. See the original source for the authoritative text.
This rule sets the 2026 catch limits for the Northeast skate fishery and gives projected limits for 2027 and 2028. It applies to commercial fishing businesses operating in the skate wing fishery for human consumption and the skate bait fishery used by other fisheries. The rule also increases trip possession limits for both wing and bait fisheries. Operators should review the new catch limits, seasonal allocations, and possession limits before planning fishing activity for the 2026 fishing year, which starts May 1 and runs through April 30.
AI-generated summary. May contain errors. Refer to official sources for legal decisions.
Key Changes
- Sets catch limits for the Northeast skate fishery for fishing year 2026
- Projects catch limits for fishing years 2027 and 2028
- Increases trip possession limits for both the skate wing and skate bait fisheries
Obligations
What this law requires
Beginning June 15, 2026, vessels/operators with a valid Federal skate permit fishing under an Atlantic sea scallop, Northeast multispecies, or monkfish DAS may not possess or land more than 4,500 lb of skate wings, equivalent to 10,215 lb whole weight, per trip during Season 1, May 1 through August 31.
Beginning June 15, 2026, vessels/operators with a valid Federal skate permit fishing under an Atlantic sea scallop, Northeast multispecies, or monkfish DAS may not possess or land more than 6,500 lb of skate wings, equivalent to 14,755 lb whole weight, per trip during Season 2, September 1 through April 30.
Beginning June 15, 2026, a vessel owner or operator fishing under a skate bait Letter of Authorization may not possess or land more than 30,000 lb of whole skates per trip.
For the 2026 fishing year, skate fishery participants must operate within the established overall fishery total allowable landings of 20,966 metric tons, including a wing TAL of 13,943 metric tons and a bait TAL of 7,024 metric tons.
For the 2026 fishing year, the wing fishery must observe seasonal allocations of 7,948 metric tons for Season 1, May 1 through August 31, and 5,995 metric tons for Season 2, September 1 through April 30.