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Northeast Multispecies Management Plan

New England

About

The Northeast multispecies fishery is managed by the New England Fishery Management Council using a variety of management tools, including days-at-sea, special management programs, and sectors. The fishery involves numerous species of groundfish found throughout the Greater Atlantic region. The fishery is executed using primarily trawl, gillnet, and hook gear. 

Implementing regulations are found at 50 CFR Part 648 Subpart F. Find out more about Managing Sustainable Fisheries in the Greater Atlantic Region.

SAFE Reports

Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation (SAFE) reports are documents or sets of documents that summarize the best scientific information available for federally managed fish stocks. This includes information concerning the biological condition of stocks and marine ecosystems, essential fish habitat (EFH), and the socioeconomic condition of commercial and recreational fisheries. The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act requires that SAFE reports be made available on a publicly accessible website to facilitate use of the information. Northeast Multispecies SAFE report documents are available on the New England Fishery Management Council's website.

Species Managed

More Information

Actions

Under Development Implemented Actions

Fishing Year 2024 Recreational Management Measures for Cod and Haddock

Proposed Fishing Year 2024 Recreational Management Measures for Gulf of Maine Cod, and Gulf of Maine Haddock.
Proposed Rule,
New England
Mid-Atlantic
Published
05/17/2024

Approved Electronic Monitoring Providers for Groundfish Sectors

NOAA Fisheries is announcing additional approved electronic monitoring providers for fishing year 2022.
Notice,
New England
Mid-Atlantic
Published
01/20/2022

Receipt of Petition for Rulemaking for Atlantic Cod

Receipt of Petition for Rulemaking for Atlantic Cod
Notice,
New England
Mid-Atlantic
Published
08/18/2021

Approved At-Sea Monitoring and Electronic Monitoring Providers for Groundfish Sectors

Approved At-Sea Monitoring and Electronic Monitoring Providers for Groundfish Sectors
Notice,
New England
Published
02/04/2021

Northeast Multispecies Fishery Approved Monitoring Service Providers

NOAA Fisheries has approved four companies to provide Northeast multispecies sector at-sea monitoring services in fishing years 2019 and 2020. Regulations implementing the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan require at-sea monitoring companies
Notice,
New England
Published
02/01/2019

Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; 2018-2020 Small-Mesh Multispecies Specifications

We propose small-mesh multispecies specifications for fishing years 2018-2020 and corrects a regulatory error from a previous rulemaking action. The specifications are intended to establish allowable catch limits for each stock within the fishery
Proposed Rule
Effective
04/27/2018

Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan: Control Date for Northeast Multispecies Charter/Party Fishery

This notice announces a new control date that may be used to determine future participation in the Northeast multispecies charter/party fishery. This notice is necessary to inform interested parties that the New England Fishery Management Council is consi
Notice
Effective
04/18/2018

Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act Provisions; Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Northeast Multispecies Fishery;

This action proposes approval of, and regulations to implement, Framework Adjustment 57 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan. This rule would set 2018-2020 catch limits for 20 multispecies (groundfish) stocks.
Proposed Rule
Effective
04/06/2018

Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Northeast Multispecies Fishery; Fishing Year 2018 Recreational Management Measures

We propose to set 2018 recreational management measures for Gulf of Maine cod and haddock and Georges Bank cod. This action is necessary to respond to updated catch and other scientific information.
Proposed Rule
Effective
04/06/2018

Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Northeast Multispecies Fishery; Adjustment of Southern New England/Mid-Atlantic Yellowtail Flounder Catch

This action transfers unused quota of Southern New England/Mid-Atlantic yellowtail flounder from the Atlantic sea scallop fishery to the Northeast multispecies fishery for the remainder of the 2017 fishing year. This transfer implements an inseason adjust
Notice
Effective
03/21/2018

Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act Provisions; Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Northeast Groundfish Fishery;

This rule extends the emergency action to remove the 2017 southern windowpane flounder accountability measures (AM) for non-groundfish trawl vessels. The rule is necessary because the emergency measures would otherwise expire before the end of the 2017 fi
Notice
Effective
03/01/2018

Emergency Northeast Multispecies Fishery Measures for Fishing Year 2025

This emergency action implements interim measures for the Northeast Multispecies FMP for fishing year 2025. This action sets ACLs for groundfish stocks, approves sector operations plans and ACEs, and sets common pool TACs and possession limits.
Emergency Rule,
New England
Mid-Atlantic
Effective
05/01/2025

Approval of Revisions to Framework Adjustment 66 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan and Sector Annual Catch Entitlements

This action adjusts the 2024 fishing year allocations to sectors and the common pool based on finalized rosters, reduces the 2023 GOM cod common pool sub-annual catch limit due to a 2023 overage, and announces sector carryover from FY 2023 into FY 2024.
Final Rule,
New England
Effective
11/18/2024

2024-2026 Small-Mesh Multispecies Specifications

2024-2026 small-mesh multispecies (whiting) specifications
Final Rule,
New England
Mid-Atlantic
Published
08/29/2024

Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Northeast Multispecies Fishery; Fishing Year 2024 Recreational Management Measures

Fishing Year 2024 Recreational Management Measures for the Northeast Multispecies Fishery
Final Rule,
New England
Effective
07/24/2024

Framework Adjustment 66 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan

We are proposing Framework Adjustment 66 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan (FMP). The action would set specifications for 8 stocks and modify some accountability measure triggers.
Final Rule,
New England
Mid-Atlantic
Published
05/02/2024

Northeast Multispecies Common Pool Fishery and Other Measures for Fishing Year 2024

This action implements measures for the Northeast multispecies fishery for fishing year 2024, including common pool fishery possession and trip limits.
Temporary Rule,
New England
Mid-Atlantic
Effective
05/01/2024

Final Rule for Southern New England Habitat Area of Particular Concern

Final Rule for Southern New England Habitat Area of Particular Concern
Final Rule,
New England
Mid-Atlantic
Published
02/05/2024

FY 2023: Gulf of Maine Cod Trimester 3 TAC Area Closure and Trip Limit Adjustment

This action prohibits possession of GOM cod by common pool vessels through the end of the fishing year and closes the GOM Cod Trimester TAC Area to common pool vessels fishing with trawl, sink gillnet, and longline/hook gear for Trimester 3 of FY 2023.
Temporary Rule,
New England
Effective
12/15/2023

FY 2023 - White Hake Trimester Total Allowable Catch Area Closure for the Common Pool Fishery

This action closes the White Hake Trimester Total Allowable Catch Area to Northeast multispecies common pool vessels fishing with trawl gear, sink gillnet gear, and longline/hook gear, except Handgear A and Handgear B vessels, through December 31, 2023.
Temporary Rule,
New England
Mid-Atlantic
Effective
11/13/2023

Gulf of Maine Cod Possession and Trip Limit Adjustment for the Common Pool Fishery

This action decreases the possession and trip limits for Gulf of Maine (GOM) cod for Northeast multispecies common pool vessels for the remainder of the 2023 fishing year, through April 30, 2024.
Temporary Rule,
New England
Mid-Atlantic
Effective
10/12/2023

Framework Adjustment 65 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan & Emergency Measures for Gulf of Maine Haddock

NOAA Fisheries approved Framework Adjustment 65 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan and is announcing final quotas for fishing year 2023. This action also approves and implements emergency measures for Gulf of Maine (GOM) haddock.
Final Rule,
New England
Mid-Atlantic
Effective
08/18/2023

Fishing Year 2023 Recreational Management Measures for Cod and Haddock

Final Fishing Year 2023 Recreational Management Measures for Gulf of Maine Cod, Gulf of Maine Haddock, and Georges Bank Cod
Final Rule,
New England
Mid-Atlantic
Effective
08/14/2023

Gulf of Maine Cod Trimester Total Allowable Catch Area Closure for the Common Pool Fishery

This action closes the Gulf of Maine Cod Trimester Total Allowable Catch Area to Northeast multispecies common pool vessels fishing with trawl gear, sink gillnet gear, and longline/hook gear, through August 31, 2023.
Temporary Rule,
New England
Effective
07/27/2023

Approval of 2023 and 2024 Sector Operations Plans and Allocation of 2023 Northeast Multispecies Annual Catch Entitlements

Approval of 2023 and 2024 Sector Operations Plans and Allocation of 2023 Northeast Multispecies Annual Catch Entitlements
Final Rule,
New England
Mid-Atlantic
Effective
05/01/2023

Northeast Multispecies Common Pool Fishery and Other Measures for Fishing Year 2023

This action implements measures for the Northeast multispecies fishery for the 2021 fishing year, including common pool fishery possession and trip limits.
Temporary Rule,
New England
Mid-Atlantic
Effective
05/01/2023

White Hake Trimester Total Allowable Catch Area Closure for the Common Pool Fishery

This action closes the White Hake Trimester Total Allowable Catch Area to common pool vessels on a groundfish trip fishing with trawl gear, sink gillnet gear, and longline/hook gear, except for Handgear A and B permitted vessels.
Temporary Rule,
New England
Mid-Atlantic
Effective
04/18/2023

Northeast Multispecies Fishery: Amendment 23

NOAA Fisheries has approved and implemented measures in Amendment 23 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan, which the New England Fishery Management Council adopted. 
Final Rule,
New England
Mid-Atlantic
Published
12/09/2022

Changes to Cod and Haddock Recreational Regulations in the Gulf of Maine for Fishing Year 2022

NOAA Fisheries Makes Changes to Cod and Haddock Recreational Regulations in the Gulf of Maine for Fishing Year 2022
Final Rule,
New England
Effective
08/30/2022

Framework Adjustment 63 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan

We approved Framework Adjustment 63 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan and are announcing final quotas for fishing year 2022, effective July 15, 2022. This action also approves and implements recreational measures for Georges Bank cod.
Final Rule,
New England
Mid-Atlantic
Effective
07/15/2022

Northeast Multispecies Common Pool Fishery and Other Measures for Fishing Year 2022

This action implements measures for the Northeast Multispecies Common Pool Fishery for Fishing Year 2022, including possession and trip limits, zero trips to the Closed Area II Yellowtail Flounder/Haddock SAP, and closure of the Regular B DAS program.
Temporary Rule,
New England
Mid-Atlantic
Effective
05/01/2022

Annual Catch Entitlements to Sectors for Fishing Year 2022

NOAA Fisheries Allocates Annual Catch Entitlements to Sectors for Fishing Year 2022
Final Rule,
New England
Effective
05/01/2022

Fishing Year 2021 Possession and Trip Limit Increases for the Common Pool Groundfish Fishery

This action increases the possession and trip limits of Gulf of Maine cod, Cape Cod/Gulf of Maine yellowtail flounder, and witch flounder for Northeast multispecies common pool vessels for the remainder of the 2021 fishing year.
Temporary Rule,
New England
Mid-Atlantic
Effective
02/24/2022

2021-2023 Small-Mesh Multispecies Specifications

2021-2023 Specifications for the Small-Mesh Multispecies (Whiting) Fishery, as recommended by the New England Fishery Management Council.
Final Rule,
New England
Published
02/01/2022

Rebuilding Plan for the Southern Red Hake Fishery

NOAA Fisheries approves and implements a rebuilding plan for the southern red hake stock as proposed by the New England Fishery Management Council in Framework Adjustment 62 to the Small-Mesh Multispecies Fishery Management Plan.
Final Rule,
New England
Mid-Atlantic
Effective
01/25/2022

Framework Adjustment 61 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan

Framework Adjustment 61 to the Northeast Multispecies (Groundfish) Fishery Management Plan (FMP)
Final Rule,
New England
Mid-Atlantic
Effective
07/27/2021

Approval of 2021 and 2022 Sector Operations Plans and Allocation of 2021 Northeast Multispecies Annual Catch Entitlements

Final Rule: Approval of 2021 and 2022 Sector Operations Plans and Allocation of 2021 Northeast Multispecies Annual Catch Entitlements
Final Rule,
New England
Effective
05/01/2021

Northeast Multispecies Common Pool Fishery and Other Measures for Fishing Year 2021

This action implements measures for the Northeast multispecies fishery for the 2021 fishing year, including common pool fishery possession and trip limits.
Temporary Rule,
New England
Mid-Atlantic
Effective
05/01/2021

Revisions to Framework Adjustment 59 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan and Sector Annual Catch Entitlements; Correction

This final rule distributes sector allocation carried over from fishing year 2019 into fishing year 2020 and corrects minor errors published in the final rule approving and implementing Framework Adjustment 59
Final Rule,
New England
Mid-Atlantic
Effective
03/25/2021

Fishing Year 2020 Possession and Trip Limit Increases for the Northeast Multispecies (New England Groundfish) Common Pool Fishery

Regulatory action increases possession and trip limits for certain Northeast multispecies (groundfish) common pool vessels for the remainder of the 2020 fishing year, through April 30, 2021.
Temporary Rule,
New England
Mid-Atlantic
Effective
03/11/2021

Increase in Sector Carryover of 2019 Annual Catch Entitlements and Carryover of Unused Leased-in Days-at-Sea by Common Pool Vessels

This temporary rule implements emergency measures under the authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act to revise portions of the fishing year 2019 carryover provisions in the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan.
Temporary Rule,
New England
Mid-Atlantic
Effective
12/31/2020

Interim Final Rule; Fishing Year 2020 Recreational Management Measures for the Northeast Multispecies Fishery

This rule sets fishing year 2020 recreational management measures for Gulf of Maine cod and haddock. The measures are intended to ensure the recreational fishery achieves, but does not exceed, fishing year 2020 catch limits.
Interim Rule,
New England
Mid-Atlantic
Effective
08/13/2020

Framework Adjustment 59 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan

Framework Adjustment 59 to the Northeast Multispecies (Groundfish) Fishery Management Plan (FMP)
Final Rule,
New England
Mid-Atlantic
Effective
07/28/2020

Removal of Regulations Implementing the Closed Area I Hook Gear Haddock Special Access Program

This action removes regulations that implement the Closed Area I Hook Gear Haddock Special Access Program. Eliminating the Closed Area I Hook Gear Haddock Special Access Program reduces confusion and inconsistency with other regulations.
Final Rule,
New England
Published
07/22/2020

2019 and 2020 Sector Operations Plans and 2019/2020 Allocation of Northeast Multispecies Annual Catch Entitlements

This rule approves Northeast multispecies sector operations plans and grants regulatory exemptions for fishing years 2019 and 2020, approves the formation of a new sector, and allocates annual catch entitlements to approved sectors for fishing year 2020.
Interim Rule,
New England
Mid-Atlantic
Effective
05/01/2020

Northeast Multispecies Measures for Fishing Year 2020

This action implements measures for the Northeast multispecies fishery for the 2020 fishing year. These include FY 2020 common pool possession and trip limits and measures enacted via Regional Administrator authority.
Temporary Rule,
New England
Mid-Atlantic
Effective
05/01/2020

Approval of New Gear Under Small-Mesh Fisheries Accountability Measures for Northeast Multispecies Fishery

NOAA Fisheries approves new selective trawl gear for use in several non-groundfish fisheries when subject to the Georges Bank yellowtail flounder accountability measure.
Final Rule,
New England
Effective
04/06/2020

Possession and Trip Limit Increases for the Northeast Multispecies (New England Groundfish) Common Pool Fishery

Regulatory action increases possession and trip limits for certain Northeast multispecies (groundfish) common pool vessels for the remainder of the 2019 fishing year, through April 30, 2020.
Temporary Rule,
New England
Effective
03/23/2020

Expansion of the Scallop Dredge Exemption Areas Under the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan

NOAA Fisheries proposes to implement modifications to the regulations implementing the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan to allow vessels issued a limited access general category individual fishing quota sea scallop permit to fish
Final Rule,
New England/Mid-Atlantic
Effective
02/14/2020

2019 Southern Red Hake Possession Limit Reduction

The possession limit for southern red hake has been reduced from 5,000 lb to the incidental limit of 400 lb.
Temporary Rule,
New England
Mid-Atlantic
Effective
02/03/2020

Closure of the Regular B Days-at-Sea Program for the Remainder of Fishing Year 2019

This action closes the Regular B Days-at-Sea Program and prohibits the use of Regular B Days-at-Sea for all Northeast multispecies vessels for the remainder of fishing year 2019, through April 30, 2020.  
Temporary Rule,
New England
Mid-Atlantic
Effective
12/16/2019

2019 Northern Red Hake Possession Limit Reduction

This action reduces the commercial per-trip possession limit for northern red hake for the remainder of the 2019 fishing year. Regulations governing the small-mesh multispecies fishery require this action because the northern red hake fishery is projected
Temporary Rule,
New England
Mid-Atlantic
Effective
09/09/2019

Framework Adjustment 58 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan

This action proposes to approve and implement Framework Adjustment 58 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan. This rule would set 2019–2020 catch limits for 7 of the 20 multispecies (groundfish) stocks, implement new or revised rebuilding
Final Rule,
New England
Mid-Atlantic
Effective
07/18/2019

Northeast Multispecies Fishery: Fishing Year 2019 Recreational Management Measures

The 2019 Gulf of Maine cod and haddock recreational management measures have changed. We are opening a 2-week season (September 15-30) for Gulf of Maine cod, the possession limit will be 1 fish per person, and the minimum size will be 21 inches.
Final Rule,
New England
Effective
07/05/2019

Correction: Common Pool Gulf of Maine Winter Flounder Trip Limit

We are correcting a temporary rule that implemented measures for Northeast multispecies common pool vessels for the 2019 fishing year. These measures included possession and trip limits and the allocation of zero trips into the Closed Area II Yellowtail F
Temporary Rule,
New England
Mid-Atlantic
Effective
05/10/2019

Northeast Multispecies Fishery; Common Pool Measures for Fishing Year 2019

This action implements measures for Northeast multispecies common pool vessels for the 2019 fishing year. This action is necessary to ensure that the Northeast multispecies common pool fishery may achieve the optimum yield (OY) for the relevant stocks, wh
Temporary Rule,
New England
Mid-Atlantic
Effective
05/01/2019

Northeast Multispecies Fishery: Witch Flounder Trimester Total Allowable Catch Area Closure for the Common Pool Fishery

This action closes the Witch Flounder Trimester Total Allowable Catch Area to Northeast multispecies common pool vessels fishing with trawl gear through April 30, 2019. The closure is required because the common pool fishery is projected to have caught ov
Temporary Rule
Effective
04/12/2019

Adjustment of Georges Bank and Southern New England/Mid-Atlantic Yellowtail Flounder Annual Catch Limits

This action transfers unused quota of Georges Bank and Southern New England/Mid-Atlantic yellowtail flounder from the Atlantic scallop fishery to the Northeast multispecies fishery for the remainder of the 2018 fishing year. This quota transfer is authori
Temporary Rule,
New England
Mid-Atlantic
Effective
03/21/2019

Gulf of Maine Cod and Witch Flounder Trip Limit Increases for the Common Pool Fishery

This action increases the possession and trip limits of Gulf of Maine cod and witch flounder for Northeast multispecies common pool vessels for the remainder of the 2019 fishing year, in order to provide the common pool fishery greater opportunity to harv
Temporary Rule,
New England
Effective
03/13/2019

Small-Mesh Multispecies Fishery: Inseason Adjustment to the Northern Red Hake Possession Limit

This action reduces that the commercial per-trip possession limit for northern red hake for the remainder of the 2018 fishing year. Regulations governing the small-mesh multispecies fishery require this action because the northern red hake fishery is proj
Temporary Rule,
New England
Effective
02/27/2019

Updated Groundfish Annual Catch Limits for Sectors and the Common Pool for Fishing Year 2018

Under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA), this final rule adjusts the 2018 fishing year allocations to sectors and the common pool specified in Framework Adjustment 57 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan;
Final Rule,
New England
Published
02/05/2019

Small-Mesh Multispecies Fishery: Inseason Adjustment to the Southern Red Hake Possession Limit

NOAA Fisheries announces that the commercial per-trip possession limit for southern red hake has been reduced for the remainder of the 2018 fishing year. Regulations governing the small-mesh multispecies fishery require this action to prevent the southern
Temporary Rule,
New England
Effective
12/26/2018

Final Action to Close Nantucket Lightship and Closed Area I Closure Areas to Gillnet Gear

NOAA Fisheries closes Nantucket Lightship and Closed Area I Closure Areas to gillnet gear.
Final Rule,
New England
Mid-Atlantic
Effective
12/17/2018

Georges Bank Cod Trip Limit Adjustment for the Common Pool Fishery

This action adjusts the possession and trip limits of Georges Bank cod for Northeast multispecies common pool vessels for the remainder of the 2018 fishing year, in order to ensure that the common pool fishery is able to harvest, but not exceed, its annua
Temporary Rule
Effective
11/29/2018

Fisheries of the Northeastern United States: 2018-2020 Small-Mesh Multispecies Specifications

NOAA Fisheries issues final 2018 and projected 2019-2020 specifications for the small-mesh multispecies fishery, and corrects an error from a previous action. The specifications are necessary to establish allowable catch limits for each stock within the f
Final Rule
Effective
06/14/2018

Title for Fisheries Related Reg Action

Amendment to narrow the boundaries of a fishery area. NEPA Report Bushels of Scallops, Photo: NOAA Fisheries Here is plain text below the photo.
Temporary Rule
Effective
05/15/2018

Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Northeast Multispecies Fishery; Fishing Year 2018 Recreational Management Measures

This action adjusts recreational management measures for Georges Bank cod and maintains status quo measures for Gulf of Maine cod and haddock for the 2018 fishing year. This action is necessary to respond to updated scientific information and to achieve t
Final Rule
Effective
05/01/2018

Omnibus Essential Fish Habitat Amendment 2

This action implements approved regulations for the New England Fishery Management Council's Omnibus Essential Fish Habitat Amendment 2. This rule revises essential fish habitat and habitat area of particular concern designations, revises or creates habit
Final Rule,
New England
Mid-Atlantic
Effective
04/09/2018

Last updated by Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office on 05/17/2024