Proposed Rule to Implement 2021-2026 Specs for the Atlantic Surfclam and Ocean Quahog Fisheries
Summary
This action would set the commercial harvest quotas for Atlantic surfclams and ocean quahogs for the 2021 through 2026 fishing years based on the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s recommendation.
The proposed quotas, which have remained unchanged since 2004, are:
- Atlantic surfclams: 3.4 million bushels
- Ocean quahogs: 5.36 million bushels
- Maine ocean quahogs: 100,000 Maine bushels
In addition, the Atlantic surfclam minimum size limit would be suspended for 2021, as it has been every year since 2005. There is currently no minimum size for ocean quahogs.