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NOAA Fisheries is implementing Framework Adjustment 18 to the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fishery Management Plan.
This action implements three modifications to the existing summer flounder minimum mesh size exemptions, as recommended by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council and adopted by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission: (1) Expands the geographical area of the small-mesh exemption program (SMEP); (2) revises the annual evaluation process for the SMEP; and, (3) revises the definition of a flynet within the summer flounder regulations. This action also implements three administrative changes to the minimum mesh size exemptions: (1) Allows for a minimum Letter of Authorization period of less than 7 days to provide added flexibility to the industry; (2) implements the use of a flynet vessel trip report code for ease of tracking fishing activity under the flynet exemption; and, (3) revises the criterion used to evaluate termination of the flynet exemption to align with the original fishery management plan amendment and its intent.
Read the final rule as published in the Federal Register today.
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