On March 29, 2022, U.S. District Court Judge Leo T. Sorokin issued a judgment vacating the inshore midwater trawl restricted area measure that was implemented through Amendment 8 to the Atlantic Herring Fishery Management Plan (Figure 1). As a result, the inshore midwater trawl restricted area regulations are not in effect and will not be enforced. NOAA Fisheries retains its opportunity to seek review of the court's vacatur order, including to seek a stay of the court's vacatur order pending appeal, and is considering its options.
Figure 1. Inshore Midwater Trawl Restricted Area Map
This bulletin serves as a Small Entity Compliance Guide, complying with section 212 of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996.
