Atlantic Coastal Fisheries Cooperative Management Act Provisions; American Lobster Fishery

Résumé

NMFS announces that it is considering and seeking public comment on the potential implementation of management measures in the Federal American lobster (Homarus americanus) fishery compatible with recommendations for Federal action as specified in the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission's (Commission) Interstate Fishery Management Plan for American Lobster (ISFMP). These management measures may include: 100 percent mandatory dealer reporting requirements for Federal American lobster dealers; implementation of an American lobster maximum size limit (maximum carapace length restriction) in several Lobster Management Areas (LMA); and, revision to the definition of a V- notch for protection of egg-bearing female American lobsters in several LMAs in the Federal American lobster fishery. NMFS is considering implementation of these management measures based on ISFMP actions taken by the Commission in response to recommendations provided in the most recent peer-reviewed lobster stock assessment, completed by the Commission in December 2005.