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Today, NOAA Fisheries signed a temporary rule for an emergency action that establishes measures necessary for the Northeast Multispecies to operate at the beginning of fishing year 2025, on May 1, 2025. This action ensures the fishery can continue without interruption by setting interim specifications for 2 stocks of cod and for Georges Bank haddock, and affirming specifications for other Northeast Multispecies stocks previously set in Frameworks 65 and 66. The action also approves groundfish sector operations plans and allocates annual catch entitlements to sectors. Finally, the action sets trimester total allowable catches and possession limits for commercial vessels fishing in the common pool, and prohibits commercial common pool vessels and recreational vessels from possessing Georges Bank cod.
These specifications are interim measures that authorize the fishery to operate between May 1 and the potential implementation of Framework 69, and do not undermine or inadvertently preclude approval and implementation of Amendment 25 and Framework 69. However, NMFS noted in the emergency rule that it does not intend to implement the management transition to the proposed four stocks of cod, if approved, until May 1, 2026, because transitioning management in the middle of the fishing year from two stock units of cod to the four stock units would be challenging for fishery participants and NMFS. Other measures included in Framework 69, if approved, would be implemented during fishing year 2025.
This emergency action will be in effect on May 1, 2025. The emergency rule is effective for 180 days unless replaced by permanent measures, and it can be extended for up to 186 days if necessary.
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