August 13, 2020 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:
NOAA Fisheries is setting Gulf of Maine (GOM) cod and haddock recreational measures for 2020.
The recreational fishery for GOM cod and haddock is managed under the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan (FMP). The FMP includes a proactive recreational accountability measure, which allows the Regional Administrator, in consultation with the New England Fishery Management Council, to develop recreational management measures for the fishing year to ensure that the recreational sub-annual catch limits (ACLs) are achieved, but not exceeded. We project that current measures for GOM cod and haddock can be liberalized somewhat without the 2020 recreational fishery’s sub-ACLs being exceeded.
After consultation with the Council, we are making changes to Gulf of Maine cod and haddock management measures as shown in the table below:
Read the interim final rule as filed in the Federal Register and our bulletin.