News & Announcements

The Gulf of Maine (GOM) Cod Protection Closures, sometimes referred to as “rolling closures,” remain in place. There are five of these seasonal closures, which are active during different times of the year.

This action implements measures for the Northeast multispecies fishery for the 2020 fishing year, including common pool fishery possession and trip limits and other measures enacted via Regional Administrator authority, as shown below.

Effective on March 23, 2020, NOAA Fisheries increases common pool possession and trip limits for Georges Bank (GB) cod, Gulf of Maine (GOM) cod, GOM haddock, Cape Cod (CC)/GOM yellowtail flounder, American plaice, and witch flounder.

We approved a new selective trawl gear, the large-mesh belly panel, for use in small-mesh fisheries when the fisheries accountability measure for Georges Bank yellowtail flounder is triggered.  Use of the large-mesh belly panel reduces bycatch of groundfish species of concern, such as yellowtail flounder. 

Effective February 14, 2020.

Gillnetters fishing in Nantucket Lightship Groundfish and the Closed Area I Groundfish Closure Areas must remove gear as soon as safely possible.

Gillnetters fishing in Nantucket Lightship Groundfish and the Closed Area I Groundfish Closure Areas must remove gear as soon as safely possible.

Effective at 0845 hours on December 16, 2019, the Regular B Days-at-Sea (DAS) program is closed for the remainder of fishing year 2019, through April 30, 2020.

Gillnetters fishing in Nantucket Lightship Groundfish and the Closed Area I Groundfish Closure Areas must remove gear as soon as safely possible.

Gillnetters fishing in Nantucket Lightship Groundfish and the Closed Area I Groundfish Closure Areas must remove gear as soon as safely possible.