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NOAA Fisheries announces the reopening of the Nantucket Lightship and Closed Area I Groundfish Closure Areas to vessels using gillnet gear, effective November 10, 2021.
In compliance with a 2019 Court Order, NOAA Fisheries has fulfilled its responsibilities under the Endangered Species Act for consultation on the New England Fishery Management Council’s Omnibus Essential Fish Habitat Amendment 2. Originally implemented in April 2018, a Court Order enjoined NOAA Fisheries from allowing gillnet fishing in the Nantucket Lightship and Closed Area I Groundfish Closure Areas until such time that it fully complied with the requirements of the Endangered Species Act and the Magnuson Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act.
 The Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Team (TRT) is currently considering measures to further minimize impacts of gillnet gear on large whales, including North Atlantic right whales. Interested parties should contribute to the TRT process. More information is available on our website.
For more details, read the final rule which will be published in the Federal Register on November 10, 2021, and the bulletin.
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