Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Northeast Multispecies Fishery; Framework Adjustment 19

Samenvatting

NMFS issues this final rule to implement measures contained in Framework Adjustment 19 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan (FMP). This rule changes the time and area of the current multispecies Mid-coast Closure Area within the Gulf of Maine (GOM) and establishes an exemption to allow sink gillnet vessels to fish in the reopened area when utilizing acoustic devices (pingers) on their nets. The intent of this action is to reduce the overall economic impact of the area closure while achieving the objectives of the FMP.