Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fisheries; Amendment 11

Zusammenfassung

NMFS proposes regulations to implement measures in Amendment 11 to the Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish (MSB) Fishery Management Plan (FMP). Amendment 11 was developed by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) to establish a tiered limited access program for the Atlantic mackerel (mackerel) fishery, and to make other changes to the management of the MSB fisheries. The Amendment 11 management measures include: A limited access program for mackerel; an open access incidental catch permit for mackerel; an update to essential fish habitat (EFH) designations for all life stages of mackerel, Loligo squid, Illex squid, and butterfish; and the establishment of a recreational allocation for mackerel. This rule also proposes minor, technical corrections to the existing regulations pertaining to the MSB fisheries.