On September 1, 2026, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 9436, the Northeast Lobsterman Protection Act of 2026. The bill would extend the existing legislative moratorium on new lobster and crab gear regulations intended to protect endangered North Atlantic right whales (NARWs) from December 31, 2028, to December 31, 2035—an additional seven-year delay. The bill passed the House by a vote of 219–196.
Following House passage, the bill will formally move to the Senate for consideration.
North Atlantic right whales are among the most endangered whales in the world, with fewer than 380 individuals remaining, including fewer than 70 breeding females.