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Gillnet Fishermen: Update on Closed Area 1 and Nantucket Lightship Closure Areas
On October 28, 2019, Federal District Court Judge James E. Boasberg issued an Order and Opinion on a lawsuit challenging a portion of the New England Fishery Management Council’s Omnibus Essential Fish Habitat Amendment 2.
The Order prohibits NOAA Fisheries from allowing gillnet fishing in the former Nantucket Lightship Groundfish and Closed Area I Groundfish Closure Areas, until such time as NOAA Fisheries has fully complied with requirements of the Endangered Species Act and the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, consistent with the Opinion.
NOAA Fisheries is studying the Opinion and will put regulations in place as soon as possible to comply with the Order to close the areas to gillnet fishing until further notice.
To facilitate compliance with the Order, all gillnet gear must be removed from these areas as soon as possible, consistent with safe vessel operations.
 What do I need to do if I am fishing gillnets in these areas?
As soon as it is safe to do so, you must remove your gillnet gear from the areas. Gear may be reset in areas that remain open to fishing with gillnets or brought back to port. No vessel may set gillnets in these areas.
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Questions?
Fishermen: Contact Moira Kelly, Regional Office, 978-281-9218
Media: Contact Jennifer Goebel, Regional Office, 978-281-9175
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