Today, NOAA Fisheries is allocating initial annual catch entitlements to groundfish sectors for fishing year 2024 based on preliminary 2024 sector rosters and 2024 catch limits set by Framework Adjustment 65 and default specifications for Acadian redfish, white hake, northern windowpane flounder, and southern windowpane flounder.
Default specifications are effective May 1, 2024, through October 31, 2024, or until the final rule for Framework Adjustment 66 is implemented, if that final rule is implemented prior to October 31, 2024. If Framework 66 is not implemented on or before October 31, 2024, sectors would be prohibited from fishing in the stock areas of stocks with expired default specifications beginning November 1, 2024.
