ASMFC tautog board delayed Draft Addendum I in August; 2027 limits for NJ and Delmarva stocks still unset

The ASMFC Tautog Management Board met in August 2026 to consider moving Draft Addendum I to public comment. The board held that step, citing the need for updated harvest projections that include 2025 landing data. The addendum is not in public comment. No 2027 limit changes are set.

The addendum process began in October 2025, after a stock assessment update found new overfishing conditions in two of the five management units. The NJ-NY Bight stock is not overfished but is experiencing overfishing. The Delaware-Maryland-Virginia stock is both overfished and experiencing overfishing. The Mid-Atlantic-Rhode Island and Long Island Sound units are neither overfished nor experiencing overfishing. Draft Addendum I proposes options to achieve a 50% probability of reaching the fishing mortality target in the NJ-NYB and DMV units by 2030, with alignment options for the Long Island Sound unit.

The August delay does not affect 2026 rules. Connecticut opened its fall tautog season October 10; New York opens Long Island Sound waters October 11 and NY Bight ocean waters October 15. Both state fall seasons run through December under 2026 rules already in effect. When the board moves the addendum to public comment, states will implement any resulting harvest changes through their own regulatory processes, most likely for 2027 at the earliest. Until the addendum completes public comment and final board action, 2027 rules remain the same as 2026 in each state. Addendum status is tracked at the ASMFC tautog addendum page. Current 2026 state rules are at each state marine fisheries agency site.

On the water: Rules and conditions can change quickly. Confirm current regulations and official marine forecasts for your exact trip.