Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act Provisions; Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Northeast Groundfish Fishery; Framework Adjustment 52

Samenvatting

Framework Adjustment 52 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan proposes two modifications to the windowpane flounder accountability measures. First, the size of the accountability measure gear restricted areas could be reduced if NMFS determines that improvements in windowpane flounder stock health occurred despite the catch limits being exceeded. Second, the duration of the accountability measure could be shortened if NMFS determines that an overage of the catch limit did not occur the previous fishing year. The proposed measures would allow NMFS to implement accountability measures based on more current survey and catch data. This proposed action is intended to increase fishing opportunities for the groundfish fishery while still preventing overfishing.