We are setting common pool possession and trip limits to ensure that the common pool fishery is able to fully utilize its available quotas. Effective on May 1, these possession and trip limits were developed based on the common pool sub-Annual Catch Limits set by Framework Adjustment 58 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan. We also considered preliminary 2020 sector rosters, expected common pool participation, and common pool fishing activity in previous fishing years. During the fishing year, we will monitor common pool catches, and, will adjust common pool management measures as necessary.
Table 1. Fishing Year 2020 Common Pool Possession and Trip Limits
|
Stock |
2020 Trip Limit |
|
GB Cod (outside Eastern U.S./Canada Area) |
250 lb per DAS, up to 500 lb per trip |
|
GB Cod (inside Eastern U.S./Canada Area) |
|
|
GB Cod [Closed Area II Yellowtail Flounder/Haddock SAP (for targeting haddock)] |
500 lb per trip |
|
GOM Cod |
50 lb per DAS, up to 100 lb per trip |
|
GB Haddock |
100,000 lb per trip |
|
GOM Haddock |
1,000 lb per DAS, up to 2,000 lb per trip |
|
GB Yellowtail Flounder |
100 lb per trip |
|
Southern New England/Mid-Atlantic (SNE/MA) Yellowtail Flounder |
100 lb per DAS, up to 200 lb per trip |
|
Cape Cod (CC)/GOM Yellowtail Flounder |
1,000 lb per DAS, up to 2,000 lb per trip |
|
American plaice |
1,000 lb per DAS, up to 2,000 lb per trip |
|
Witch Flounder |
750 lb per trip |
|
GB Winter Flounder |
250 lb per trip |
|
GOM Winter Flounder |
1,000 lb per trip |
|
SNE/MA Winter Flounder |
2,000 lb per DAS, up to 4,000 lb per trip |
|
Redfish |
Unlimited |
|
White hake |
1,500 lb per trip |
|
Pollock |
Unlimited |
|
Atlantic Halibut |
1 fish per trip |
|
Windowpane Flounder |
Possession Prohibited |
|
Ocean Pout |
|
|
Atlantic Wolffish |
Table 2. Fishing Year 2020 Cod Trip Limits for Handgear A, Handgear B, and Small Vessel Category Permits
|
Permit |
2020 Trip Limit |
|
Handgear A GOM Cod |
50 lb per trip |
|
Handgear A GB Cod |
250 lb per trip |
|
Handgear B GOM Cod |
25 lb per trip |
|
Handgear B GB Cod |
25 lb per trip |
|
Small Vessel Category |
300 lb of cod, haddock, and yellowtail flounder combined; additionally, vessels are limited to the common pool DAS limit for all stocks. |
Additionally, Northeast multispecies vessels may not target yellowtail flounder within the Closed Area II Yellowtail Flounder/Haddock Special Access Program (SAP) in fishing year 2020. Northeast multispecies vessels are not allowed to fish in this SAP using flounder trawl nets, but may fish in this SAP in 2020 to target haddock with a haddock separator trawl, a Ruhle trawl, or hook gear. This SAP is open from August 1, 2020, through January 31, 2021.
Lastly, the Regular B Days-at-Sea (DAS) program is closed for fishing year 2020. During this closure, Northeast multispecies vessels may not declare or use Regular B DAS.
Questions?
Contact Spencer Talmage, Regional Office, (978) 281-9232
