Handel i gospodarka · 03/05/2010

American Lobster Fishery Management

NMFS has prepared a draft environmental impact statement (DEIS) that identifies several proposed management actions and alternatives for the American lobster fishery in Federal waters. The management actions are based on recommendations to NMFS by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (Commission) as part of the Commission's Interstate Fishery Management Plan for American Lobster (ISFMP). Two of the three proposed management measures evaluated in the DEIS would implement limited access programs (LAPs), limiting future access in two Lobster Conservation Management Areas (Areas) Area 2 and the Outer Cape Area based upon historical participation within the fishery. The third proposed measure would implement an individual transferable trap program (ITT) in three Areas--Area 2, Area 3, and the Outer Cape Area. The DEIS evaluates four ITT alternatives. NMFS has not selected a preferred alternative to implement the ITT program. NMFS will hold public meetings to receive comments on the potential biological, economic, and social impacts of proposed measures evaluated in this DEIS.