NOAA Fisheries Seeks Comments on Proposed Rulemaking for American Lobster Fishery
Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking: American Lobster Control Date and Adjustments to Trap Transfer Program
NOAA Fisheries seeks comments on the
American lobster control date, changes to lobster trap gear marking requirements,
and allowing substitute vessels to fish lobster traps for federally permitted
but inoperable vessels.
In accordance with the Atlantic
States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Addenda XXI and XXII to Amendment 3 of the
Interstate Fisheries Management Plan for American Lobster, NOAA Fisheries may select January 27, 2014, or another date, as a control date for the lobster fishery,
depending on public comment and input from the Commission.
The control date may be
applicable, but not limited, to restricting the number of traps or permits an
individual or business entity may own, with emphasis on Lobster Conservation
Management Areas 2 and 3.
Part of the reason for this
action is the continued poor condition of the Southern New England lobster
stock. The stock has been experiencing recruitment failure (not enough young
lobsters) since the early 2000s, which may be caused by both environmental
factors and fishing.
Read the Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking as published today in the Federal
Register.
The comment period is open
through December 15.
Provide comments through regulations.gov, or send comments by mail
to John K. Bullard, Regional Administrator, NMFS, Greater Atlantic
Regional Fisheries Office, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA
01930. Please mark the outside of the envelope: "Comments on Lobster
ANPR."
Questions? Contact Jennifer Goebel, Regional Office, at 978-281-9175
|
