July 28, 2014 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:
We are seeking comments on proposed changes to the Federal American lobster regulations for Lobster Conservation Management Areas 2, 3, 4, and 5, including trap reductions in Areas 2 and 3, and broodstock measures is Areas 2, 3, 4, and 5.
The proposed measures aim to reduce fishing exploitation and reduce latent effort in the trap fishery to scale the fishery to the size of the Southern New England lobster stock. This action is necessary to ensure fishery regulations for the lobster fishery in Federal waters remain consistent with the intent of the Atlantic Coastal Fisheries Cooperative Management Act and state measures implemented by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission.
The deadline for public comment is August 25, 2014.
Click here to read the proposed rule.