NMFS Says U.S. Fisheries May Meet Whale Standard

New federal analyses suggest U.S. fisheries could satisfy the standard for protecting North Atlantic right whales.

Updated on Nov. 7, 2026 in Environmental

Bold flat-color vector illustration of a coiled fishing rope and red buoy on a wooden dock beside a sage ocean field. — The National Marine Fisheries Service said new analyses suggest U.S. fisheries may meet the federal standard for protecting North Atlantic right whales. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The National Marine Fisheries Service announced new scientific analyses indicating U.S. fisheries may meet the federal standard for protecting North Atlantic right whales. Estimated right whale deaths and serious injuries attributed to U.S. fisheries are substantially lower than estimated in 2022.

Why it matters

A court ruling required the agency to reconsider how it evaluates fishing impacts on right whales, and the new findings could affect how federal protections apply to fisheries across the country. The Maine Lobstermen's Association, which challenged the science behind lobster fishery regulations in a 2023 court battle, applauded the announcement.

The new federal analyses compare current estimates of right whale deaths and serious injuries attributed to U.S. fisheries against the lower-than-2022 benchmark, but the exact figures were not included in the announcement. Whether the standard is fully satisfied remains to be determined by the agency's further review.

The players

National Marine Fisheries Service

The federal agency responsible for managing and protecting U.S. marine resources, including endangered whale species.

Maine Lobstermen's Association

A trade group representing Maine lobster fishermen that has been active in challenging federal fishery regulations.

The details

The National Marine Fisheries Service reconsidered its evaluation of fishing impacts on right whales under correct legal standards following a court ruling. The Maine Lobstermen's Association had won a 2023 court battle challenging the science behind new lobster fishery regulations.

2023: The Maine Lobstermen's Association challenged the science behind lobster fishery regulations in court.
2022: Prior estimates of right whale deaths and serious injuries attributed to U.S. fisheries were published.
November 5, 2026: The National Marine Fisheries Service announced the new analyses.

Big Picture

The new analyses bring fishery impact estimates for North Atlantic right whales into line with the federal standard set by the Marine Mammal Protection Act. The findings mark a shift from the 2022 estimates that prompted the earlier court challenge.

Fishing regulations affecting North Atlantic right whales could change if the federal standard is confirmed as met. Commercial fishermen along the East Coast may see different compliance requirements depending on the agency's final determination.

The takeaway

Reducing whale entanglements depends on accurate science, and the court's order shows that how fishery impacts are measured matters as much as the outcome. Readers following marine policy should watch for the agency's final determination on whether the standard has been met.