NOAA Fisheries Service proposes new catch limits and other management measures for the Atlantic mackerel, squid, and butterfish fisheries. Comments on the proposed action are due on November 25, 2011.
NMFS proposes 2012 specifications and management measures for Atlantic mackerel and butterfish, and 2012–2014 specifications for Illex and longfin squid. This is the first year that the specifications are being recommended for Atlantic mackerel and butterfish under the provisions of the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s (Council) Annual Catch Limit and Accountability Measure Omnibus Amendment (Omnibus Amendment). The two squid species are exempt from these requirements because they have a life cycle of less than 1 year. This action also proposes to adjust the closure threshold for the commercial mackerel fishery to 95 percent (from 90 percent), to allow the use of jigging gear to target longfin squid if the longfin squid fishery is closed due to the butterfish mortality cap, and to require a 3-inch (76-mm) minimum codend mesh size in order to possess more than 2,000 lb (0.9 mt) of butterfish (up from 1,000 lb (0.45mt)). Finally, this rule proposes minor corrections in existing regulatory text intended to clarify the intent of the regulations. These proposed specifications and management measures promote the utilization and conservation of the Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish (MSB) resource.
Public comments must be received no later than 5 p.m., eastern standard time, on November 25, 2011.
Read the entire notice from the Federal Register.