Framework Adjustment 69 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan
Summary
This action approves regulations to implement specifications and management measures in Framework Adjustment 69 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan, except for measures specific to Atlantic Cod. Specifically, this action:
- Sets the shared U.S./Canada quotas for Georges Bank (GB) yellowtail flounder for fishing years 2025 and 2026 and eastern GB haddock for fishing year 2025;
- Sets specifications, including catch limits for seven groundfish stocks: Gulf of Maine (GOM) haddock, American plaice, witch flounder, pollock, and Atlantic halibut for fishing years 2025-2027; GB yellowtail flounder for fishing years 2025-2026; and GB haddock for fishing year 2025;
- Removes a requirement for sectors to submit State and Federal permit information to NMFS; and
- Modifies the catch threshold for implementing the Atlantic sea scallop fishery's AMs for GB yellowtail flounder and northern windowpane flounder.
This action also implements regulatory changes and other measures that are not part of Framework 69, but were considered and implemented under section 305(d) authority in the Magnuson-Stevens Act to make changes necessary to carry out the FMP. NMFS included changes in conjunction with the Framework 69 measures for expediency purposes. Through this rulemaking, NMFS:
- Approves sector operations plans and allocate quota to sectors;
- Removes a requirement for weekly reporting by sectors;
- Sets recreational management measures for GOM cod and GOM haddock;
- Updates the common pool possession and trip limits for stocks to reflect potential fishing year 2025 limits; and
- Revises existing regulatory text to correct and increase readability and clarity of existing regulations.
This action is necessary to respond to updated scientific information and achieve the goals and objectives of the fishery management plan. These 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.