NOAA today announced details of proposed measures developed by the New England Fishery Management Council intended to end overfishing and continue the rebuilding of Northeast groundfish. There will be a 30-day public comment period on the measures. The new rules, if approved, would be effective May 1.
The proposed measures would enable all limited access groundfish permit holders to create groups or “sectors” that would get a share of the year’s allowable catch, based on the historic landings of their members. They also would develop their own rules for allocating that catch among the sector members. Those not in a sector would continue to be able to fish a set number of days per year in a common pool.
These sectors would be an integral part of a catch share program for Northeast groundfish.
Read the NOAA announcement in full