Northeast fishermen must change gillnets to protect sturgeon, starting in 2025

Fishermen in the northeastern United States must now use different gillnets when catching monkfish and spiny dogfish. This rule aims to reduce the accidental capture of Atlantic sturgeon, an endangered species.

For years, fishing operations have accidentally caught Atlantic sturgeon, a protected species. This new rule forces a change in fishing gear, which means fishermen will have to invest in new equipment or modify their existing nets. It also means that the fishing industry will have to adapt to stricter environmental protections, which could affect their operating costs and methods.