H.R. 9436 · Passed House · Animals

Northeast Lobsterman Protection Act of 2026

Sponsor: Michael Lawler (R-NY)

What it does

• Extends the deadline for NMFS to issue whale-protection regulations from 2028 to 2035.
• Requires American lobster and Jonah crab fisheries to adopt existing and innovative gear technologies to reduce whale entanglement risk.
• Applies to Atlantic large whale protection under existing endangered species regulatory framework.

Official summary

Northeast Lobsterman Protection Act of 2026 This bill extends the deadline from 2028 to 2035 for the National Marine Fisheries Service to issue new regulations that protect the endangered Atlantic large whale from certain lobster and crab fishing gear. Under current law, the new regulations must include requirements for the American lobster and Jonah crab fisheries to utilize existing and innovative fishing gear technologies as appropriate to reduce the risk of whales becoming entangled in their gear.

Latest action

Sep 14, 2026: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Committee: Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation