Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Framework Adjustment 16 to the Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fishery Management Plan

Resumen

NMFS proposes regulations to implement Framework Adjustment 16 to the Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fishery Management Plan. Framework 16 was developed by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council to establish a volumetric hold baseline for limited access Illex squid vessels, clarify Illex squid reporting requirements, and allow NMFS to collect information on the vessel processing type for Illex and longfin squid vessels. This action is necessary to restrict future increases in the capacity of the Illex squid fishery and to gain more accurate catch information to inform stock assessments.