August 10, 2018 - The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:
NOAA Fisheries proposes to revise the commercial accountability measures applicable to the summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass fisheries when overages are caused by discards. As a result of these proposed measures, automatic pound-for-pound paybacks due to annual catch limit overages resulting from higher-than-expected discard estimates would not be required in all situations, depending on the level of the overage and the status of the stock. These adjustments are similar to those implemented for the accountability measures in the recreational fisheries managed by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council in 2013.
Read the proposed rule as published in the Federal Register, and submit your comments through the online portal. You may also submit comments through regular mail to: Michael Pentony, Regional Administrator, Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office, 55 Great Republic Drive,Gloucester, MA 01930.
Please mark the outside of the envelope, “Comments on the Proposed Rule for Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Commercial Accountability Measures.”
The comment period is open through September 10, 2018.
Questions?
Fishermen: Contact Emily Gilbert at 978-281-9244
Media: Contact Jennifer Goebel at 978-281-9175