Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Northeast Multispecies Fishery; Framework Adjustment 18

Résumé

NMFS issues this proposed rule and request for comments for Framework Adjustment 18 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan (FMP). This rule proposes to allow pelagic midwater trawling for herring and mackerel in Multispecies Closed Areas I and II, the Gulf of Maine (GOM) multispecies closure areas, and in the Nantucket Lightship Closed Area under certain conditions. The intended effect of this action is to provide greater economic opportunity for pelagic midwater trawl vessels to harvest herring and mackerel while maintaining the conservation benefits of the current multispecies management measures.