Fisheries of the Northeastern United States: 2018 Allocation of Northeast Multispecies Annual Catch Entitlements and Proposed Regulatory Exemption for Sectors

This rule making proposes allocations of annual catch entitlements to groundfish sectors for the 2018 fishing year and also proposes a new regulatory exemption for sectors. The action is necessary because sectors must receive allocations in order to operate. This action is intended to ensure sector allocations are based on the best scientific information available and help achieve optimum yield for the fishery.