September 25, 2012 — NOAA Fisheries is adjusting the days-at-sea (DAS) counting rates for groundfish fishing vessels in the common pool for fishing year (FY) 2012 based on final FY 2011 sector and common pool catch information and preliminary FY 2011 catch estimates for other components of the groundfish fishery (i.e., exempted fisheries, non-groundfish vessels (e.g., scallop vessels)).
Why are the DAS counting rates being adjusted?
The groundfish sub-ACL for northern windowpane flounder was exceeded by 42 percent, despite a rate of 1.3 that was applied in FY 2011 due to an FY 2010 overage. As required, we are increasing the FY 2012 DAS rate to 1.8 (1.3 x 1.4) as a result of consecutive FY overages in the Offshore GB Differential DAS Area. The groundfish sub-ACL for Atlantic halibut was also exceeded by 29 percent, and therefore, we are increasing the FY 2012 DAS rate to 1.3 in the Offshore GOM and Inshore GB Differential DAS Areas. Finally, the total ACL for southern windowpane flounder was exceeded by 135 percent, and we are increasing the FY 2012 DAS rate to 2.4 in the SNE/MA Differential DAS Area.