Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Dealer and Vessel Reporting Requirements

Riepilogo

NMFS issues this final rule to amend the dealer reporting requirements for the summer flounder, scup, black sea bass, surf clam, ocean quahog, Northeast (NE) multispecies, Atlantic sea scallop, Atlantic mackerel, squid, and butterfish fisheries and the vessel reporting requirements for the summer flounder and scup fisheries. This rule requires dealers of quota-managed species to report their purchases weekly via an Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system, modifies the submission schedule of written dealer reports, modifies the reporting requirements for certain vessels in the summer flounder or scup fisheries, and clarifies existing reporting requirements. Quota-managed species required to be reported via the IVR system include summer flounder, scup, black sea bass, regulated NE multispecies, Atlantic mackerel, squid, and butterfish. These revisions are necessary to collect more timely and accurate data to enhance immediate and long-term management of the fisheries, maintain the harvesting of these fisheries at sustainable levels, promote compliance with existing regulations, ensure consistency in reporting requirements among fisheries, and clarify existing regulatory text.