Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fisheries; Specifications and Management Measures

概要

NMFS proposes 2013-2015 specifications and management measures for Atlantic mackerel, and 2013 specifications for butterfish. Specifications for longfin squid and Illex squid were set for 3 years in 2012 (2012-2014) and therefore will not be included in this year's specification rulemaking. The proposed specifications would make regulatory changes to the longfin squid fishery, as well as the butterfish mortality cap to avoid 1-2 week closures at the end of a Trimester. Compared to 2012, this proposed action would increase the butterfish quota by 236 percent (recommended 2013 quota of 2,570 mt), and increase the butterfish mortality cap by 184 percent (recommended 2013 quota of 4,500 mt). Due to the increase in the proposed butterfish quota, this action also proposes a variety of management measures for controlling effort in the directed butterfish fishery, including changes to trip limits, the closure threshold for the directed fishery, and post-closure trip limits. Finally, this rule proposes minor corrections to existing regulatory text, to clarify the intent of the regulations. These proposed specifications and management measures promote the utilization and conservation of the