NOAA Fisheries Sets Groundfish Common Pool Fishery and Other Measures for Fishing Year 2022

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NOAA Fisheries - New England - Mid Atlantic Bulletin

April 21, 2022

NOAA Fisheries Sets Groundfish Common Pool Fishery and Other Measures for Fishing Year 2022

Effective May 1

We are setting common pool possession and trip limits to ensure that the common pool groundfish fishery is able to fully utilize its available quotas. Effective on May 1, these possession and trip limits were developed based on the common pool sub-Annual Catch Limits set by Framework Adjustment 61 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan. We also considered preliminary 2022 sector rosters, expected common pool participation, common pool fishing activity in previous fishing years, and that Framework 63 is still being considered for approval. During the fishing year, we will monitor common pool catches, and will adjust common pool management measures, as necessary.

Additionally, Northeast multispecies vessels may not target yellowtail flounder within the Closed Area II Yellowtail Flounder/Haddock Special Access Program (SAP) in fishing year 2022. Northeast multispecies vessels are not allowed to fish in this SAP using flounder trawl nets, but may fish in this SAP to target haddock with a haddock separator trawl, a Ruhle trawl, or hook gear. This SAP is open from August 1, 2022, through January 31, 2023.

Lastly, the Regular B Days-at-Sea (DAS) program is closed for fishing year 2022. During this closure, Northeast multispecies vessels may not declare or use regular B DAS.

Read the notice as filed in the Federal Register today and the bulletin.

Questions?

Fishermen: Contact Spencer Talmage, Regional Office,  978-281-9232

Media: Contact Allison Ferreira, Regional Office, 978-281-9103