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NOAA Fisheries is seeking comments on proposed measures found in Framework 12 to the Northeast skate fishery.
Framework 12 includes 2024–2025 Specifications and increased seasonal possession limits for the wing fishery to provide additional flexibility to fishermen. We propose to:
- Decrease the annual catch limit for the skate complex from 37,236 mt to 32,155 mt.
- Decrease the total allowable landings of skate wings from 14,059 mt to 10,453 mt.
- Decrease the total allowable landings of skate bait from 7,082 mt to 5,266 mt.
- Increase the wing fishery Season 1 possession limit from 3,000 lb to 4,000 lb.
- Increase the wing fishery Season 2 possession limit from 5,000 lb to 6,000 lb.
- Increase the possession limit for trips fishing on a Northeast multispecies B-DAS from 220 to 275 lb.
- Increase the possession limit for trips not fishing on a DAS from 500 lb to 625 lb.
- Remove the limit specific to barndoor skate within the overall skate possession limits (e., the 25-percent partial possession limit for trips landing skate wings on a DAS), and possession would be allowed on all trips in the skate fishery.
- Remove the smooth skate possession restriction on all trips landing skate in both the wing and bait skate fisheries, including in the Gulf of Maine Regulated Mesh Area.
Read the proposed rule as published in the Federal Register today. The comment period is open through June 24, 2024. Submit your comments through the e-rulemaking portal.
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