Final Action to Close Nantucket Lightship and Closed Area I Closure Areas to Gillnet Gear

On October 28, 2019, Federal District Court Judge James E. Boasberg issued an Order and Opinion on a lawsuit challenging a portion of the New England Fishery Management Council’s Omnibus Essential Fish Habitat Amendment 2. The Order prohibits NOAA Fisheries from allowing gillnet fishing in the former Nantucket Lightship Groundfish and the Closed Area I Groundfish Closure Areas, until such time as NOAA Fisheries has fully complied with requirements of the Endangered Species Act and the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. This action closes the Nantucket Lightship and Closed Area I Groundfish Closure Areas for gillnet gear only, consistent with the Opinion.