This Final rule, effective upon publication, modifies fisheries regulations in the Greater Atlantic Region to add the Omega net mesh measurement gauge as a permissible device for net mesh measurement and to correct regulatory references to gear restrictions. This action does not remove the use of the wedge-shaped gauge from the regulations, which remains an approved alternative regulatory tool for measuring net mesh size.
Adoption of the Omega gauge, a handheld electronic device, is intended to improve the efficiency, safety, and cost-effectiveness of at-sea net mesh enforcement.
