March 29, 2019 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:
We are proposing 2019-2021 quota specifications for the spiny dogfish fishery, based on a 2018 stock assessment update, and consistent with the recommendations of the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, the Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee, the Spiny Dogfish Monitoring Committee, the New England Fishery Management Council, and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission.
The proposed specifications for the 2019 spiny dogfish fishery are a 46-percent reduction from fishing year 2018 to ensure overfishing does not occur. However, these quotas are proposed to increase in 2020 and 2021 as the spiny dogfish biomass is expected to increase and the risk of overfishing declines. Table 1 (below) provides a summary of the proposed specifications. All other fishery management measures, including the 6,000-lb federal trip limit, will remain unchanged for fishing years 2019-2021.
Read the proposed rule as published in the Federal Register, and submit your comments through the online portal. You may also submit comments through regular mail to:
Michael Pentony, Regional Administrator
Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office
55 Great Republic Drive
Gloucester, MA 01930
The comment period is open through 4/15/2019.