Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act Provisions; Fisheries of the Northeastern United States

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This final rule changes on-reel trawl gear stowage requirements when fishing vessels are transiting closed areas or fishing in areas with mesh size restrictions. Specifically, this action allows a vessel to use a highly visible orange or yellow mesh material as an alternative to the current requirement to use a tarp or similar canvas material. In addition, this action removes the requirement to detach the towing wires from the doors for all on-reel gear stowage and removes the requirement to detach the towing wires from the net. Finally, to help streamline the gear stowage requirements, this action also reorganizes the current gear stowage regulations. This action is being implemented under authority delegated to the NMFS Regional Administrator. This action is intended to improve safety of fishing operations while at sea.