Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Amendment 6 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fisheries

Zusammenfassung

NMFS issues this proposed rule to implement measures contained in Amendment 6 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fisheries (FMP). Amendment 6, which has been submitted by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) to NMFS for approval is intended to establish additional measures to prevent overfishing of the Atlantic squids and butterfish, allow for seasonal restrictions in the Illex squid fishery to improve yield per recruit, and change the closure trigger for all species from 80 percent to 95 percent of the domestic annual harvest (DAH). Also included in Amendment 6 is a revision of the trip limits on bycatch of these species when a fishery is closed.