Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Northeast Multispecies Fishery; Small Mesh Area 2

Samenvatting

NMFS issues this final rule to modify the regulations implementing the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan (FMP). This rule modifies the size of Small Mesh Area 2, which is an exempted small mesh fishing area located in the Gulf of Maine/Georges Bank (GOM/ GB) Regulated Mesh Area, by removing the northernmost portion from the list of exempted fisheries. The intent of this action is to reduce the bycatch of regulated multispecies in Small Mesh Area 2 so that it is consistent with the conservation objectives of the fishery.