NOAA Fisheries announces final 2019 and projected 2020-2021 specifications for the spiny dogfish fishery (Table 1).
Table 1. Summary of Final 2019-2021 Spiny Dogfish Specifications, in metric tons.
| 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | |
| Overfishing Limit | 21,549 | N/A | N/A |
| Acceptable Biological Catch | 12,914 | 14,126 | 16,043 |
| Annual Catch Limit = Annual Catch Target | 12,865 | 14,077 | 15,994 |
| Total Allowable Landings | 9,390 | 10,602 | 12,519 |
| Commercial Quota | 9,309 | 10,521 | 12,438 |
| Percent Change in Quota from Previous Year | -46 | +13 | +18 |
All other management measures, including the 6,000-lb federal trip limit, remain unchanged. Changes to the trip limit may be pursued in a future, separate rulemaking action. When state and Federal trip limits differ, the more restrictive measures apply to all vessels with a Federal permit. The Councils will review the catch limits for fishing years 2020 and 2021, and we will provide notice of the final quotas prior to each fishing year.
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