Marine Mammal Protection Act List of Fisheries for 2026

NMFS is publishing its proposed changes to the List of Fisheries (LOF) for 2026, as required by the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). The proposed changes to the LOF for 2026 reflects new information on interactions between commercial fisheries and marine mammals. Under the MMPA, NMFS must classify each commercial fishery on the LOF into one of three categories based on the level of mortality and serious injury (M/SI) of marine mammals that occurs incidental to each fishery. The classification of a fishery on the LOF determines whether participants in that fishery are subject to certain provisions of the MMPA, such as those regarding registration, observer coverage, and take reduction plan (TRP) requirements.