NOAA Fisheries announces final 2018 and projected 2019-2020 specifications for the small-mesh multispecies (whiting) fishery.
| Stock | Overfishing Limit | Acceptable Biological Catch | Annual Catch Limit | Total Allowable Landings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northern silver hake | 58,350 | 31,030 | 29,475 | 26,604 |
| Northern red hake | 840 | 721 | 685 | 274 |
| Southern whiting | 31,180 | 19,395 | 18,425 | 14,465 |
| Southern red hake | 1,150 | 1,060 | 1,007 | 305 |
*Southern whiting includes southern silver hake and offshore hake
All other management measures in the small-mesh multispecies fishery (such as possession limits) remain unchanged. These catch limits and quotas for the 2018 fishing year are effective on June 14, 2018.
These specifications are predicted to be unchanged for fishing years 2019 and 2020, and are provided early for planning purposes. The New England Fishery Management Council will review the catch limits for these years, and we will provide notice of the final 2019 and 2020 quotas prior to the start of each fishing year.
For more information, contact the Sustainable Fisheries Division at (978) 281-9315.
