Framework Adjustment 65 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan & Emergency Measures for Gulf of Maine Haddock

This action approves and implements Framework Adjustment 65 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan. This rule revises the rebuilding plan for Gulf of Maine cod, set catch limits for 16 of the 20 multispecies (groundfish) stocks, and make a temporary modification to the accountability measures for Georges Bank cod.

Included in this action are emergency measures to increase the fishing year 2023 catch limit for GOM haddock from the level proposed in Framework 65, which represented a substantial reduction from fishing year 2022. Increasing the catch limit is expected to mitigate adverse economic impacts due to the unanticipated high level of fishery interactions with the 2020 year class and the potential for overly constrained fishing effort or a shutdown of the Gulf of Maine Broad Stock Area. These emergency measures are effective 180 days from August 18, 2023.

Finally, this action also corrects erroneous regulations and removes outdated regulations.

This action is necessary to respond to updated scientific information and to achieve the goals and objectives of the fishery management plan. The measures are intended to help prevent overfishing, rebuild overfished stocks, achieve optimum yield, and ensure that management measures are based on the best scientific information available.

UPDATE: On January 9, 2024, NOAA Fisheries extended the emergency measures through the remainder of the 2023 fishing year (April 30, 2024).