Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Northeast Multispecies Fishery; Monkfish Exempted Trawl Fishery

Resumo

NMFS issues this final rule to modify the regulations implementing the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan (FMP). This rule allows a year-round exempted trawl fishery for monkfish south of 40 deg.10' N. lat. and east of 72 deg.30' W. long., allows additional bycatch species in the Cultivator Shoal Whiting Fishery, and adds a prohibition to enhance enforcement of the exemptions. The intent of this action is to maximize fishing opportunities in a manner that is consistent with the conservation objectives of the FMP.