Effective May 1
NOAA Fisheries is setting common pool possession and trip limits as shown in Tables 1 and 2 below 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 65 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan. We also considered preliminary 2024 sector rosters, expected common pool participation, common pool fishing activity in previous fishing years, and that Framework 66 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 2024. 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, 2024, through January 31, 2025.
Lastly, the Regular B Days-at-Sea (DAS) program is closed for fishing year 2024. During this closure, Northeast multispecies vessels may not declare or use regular B DAS.
For more details, see our fishery bulletin or the rule as filed in the Federal Register.
Table 1. Fishing Year 2024 Common Pool Possession and Trip Limits
|
Stock
|
2024 Trip Limit
|
|
Georges Bank (GB) Cod (outside Eastern U.S./Canada Area)
|
100 lb per DAS,
up to 200 lb per trip
|
|
GB Cod (inside Eastern U.S./Canada Area)
|
|
GB Cod [Closed Area II Yellowtail Flounder/Haddock SAP (for targeting haddock)]
|
500 lb per trip
|
|
Gulf of Maine (GOM) Cod
|
150 lb per DAS, up to 300 lb per trip
|
|
GB Haddock
|
50,000 lb per trip
|
|
GOM Haddock
|
1,000 lb per DAS, up to 2,000 lb per trip
|
|
GB Yellowtail Flounder
|
100 lb per trip
|
|
Southern New England/Mid-Atlantic (SNE/MA) Yellowtail Flounder
|
200 lb per DAS, up to 400 lb per trip
|
|
Cape Cod (CC)/GOM Yellowtail Flounder
|
1,500 lb per DAS, up to 3,000 lb per trip
|
|
American plaice
|
3,000 lb per DAS, up to 6,000 lb per trip
|
|
Witch Flounder
|
1,500 lb per trip
|
|
GB Winter Flounder
|
500 lb per trip
|
|
GOM Winter Flounder
|
2,000 lb per trip
|
|
SNE/MA Winter Flounder
|
2,000 lb per DAS, up to 4,000 lb per trip
|
|
Redfish
|
Unlimited
|
|
White hake
|
750 lb per trip
|
|
Pollock
|
Unlimited
|
|
Atlantic Halibut
|
1 fish per trip
|
|
Windowpane Flounder
|
Possession Prohibited
|
|
Ocean Pout
|
|
Atlantic Wolffish
|
Table 2. Fishing Year 2024 Cod Trip Limits for Handgear A, and Handgear B Permits
|
Permit
|
2024 Trip Limit
|
|
Handgear A GOM Cod
|
150 lb per trip
|
|
Handgear A GB Cod
|
100 lb per trip
|
|
Handgear B GOM Cod
|
25 lb per trip
|
|
Handgear B GB Cod
|
25 lb per trip
|
|
