H.R. 9436Northeast Lobsterman Protection Act of 2026

What the bill would do

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.

Summary by the Congressional Research Service. Last updated Aug 28, 2026.

• BillFull text · congress.gov(opens in a new tab)
• Roll callclerk.house.gov vote #290(opens in a new tab)