August 17, 2023 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:
Today, NOAA Fisheries is approving updated management measures for the Northeast Multispecies fishery (Framework 65). These measures were developed by the New England Fishery Management Council and set or adjust catch limits for groundfish stocks for the 2023 fishing year (May 1, 2023 – April 30, 2024), including the three stocks managed jointly with Canada.
For 2023, Framework 65 increases the catch limits for eight stocks and decreases the catch limits for eight stocks. Changes range from an increase of 180 percent for Georges Bank winter flounder to a reduction of 85 percent for Georges Bank haddock. These revised catch limits are based upon the results of stock assessments conducted in 2022 and are intended to help prevent overfishing and rebuild overfished stocks.
This action also implements a revised rebuilding plan for Gulf of Maine cod, and makes a temporary modification to the accountability measures for Georges Bank cod. Simultaneously, we are taking emergency action to increase the Gulf of Maine haddock quota. The emergency action will be in place for an initial period of 180 days, and we will accept public comment on the emergency action for 30 days, starting tomorrow. We may extend the emergency action through the end of the fishing year after consideration of public comments on the action.
You can read the final rule filed in the Federal Register and the permit holder bulletin. Beginning tomorrow comments on the emergency action can be submitted through the online portal by searching “NOAA-NMFS-2023-0021”.
The comment period is open for 30 days.