July 17, 2015 — The following was released by NOAA:
The New England Fishery Management Council has been developing Amendment 18 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan for several years.
The notice of availability of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for Amendment 18 published today in the Federal Register. The DEIS is open for comments through August 31. More information, including dates and times of public meetings, is available on our website and on the Council’s website.
Amendment 18 provides a range of alternatives that could address the following issues:
- Accumulation limits for Northeast multispecies permit holders;
- A sub-allocation and other management measures for Handgear A permit holders;
- Data confidentiality with regards to leasing of groundfish allocations;
- An inshore/offshore boundary within the Gulf of Maine and potential associated management measures for Gulf of Maine cod; and,
- Establishing a Redfish Exemption Area for vessels to target redfish.
The Council is expected to take final action on Amendment 18 at its September 2015 meeting.
Send your comments to:
Email: nmfs.gar.amendment18@noaa.gov
Mail: John K. Bullard
Regional Administrator
Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office
55 Great Republic Drive
Gloucester, MA 01930
Fax: 978-281-9315
Please include “Amendment 18” in the subject line or on the outside of the envelope.
Questions? Contact Jennifer Goebel, Regional Office, at 978-281-6175 or Jennifer.Goebel@noaa.gov.
