Overview
Framework Adjustment 16 to the Mackerel, Squid, Butterfish Fishery Management Plan establishes a volumetric vessel hold baseline requirement and an upgrade restriction for all limited access Illex squid permits. This action is necessary to restrict future increases in capacity in the Illex squid fishery. The framework also clarifies existing reporting requirements and allows NMFS to collect information on vessel processing type from limited access Illex and Tier 1 longfin squid vessels. See the NOAA Fisheries Bulletin for a more detailed summary of approved measures.
Staff Contact: Jason Didden, jdidden@mafmc.org, (302) 526-5254
Framework Status
The Council selected preferred alternatives and approved the framework for submission to NOAA Fisheries for review and rulemaking during the October 2023 Council Meeting. NOAA Fisheries published a proposed rule and request for comments on August 5, 2024. A final rule was published on October 29, 2024.
Framework Development Timeline
April 2023 Council Meeting: The Council initiated this framework at the April 2023 Council Meeting.
August 2023 Council Meeting: The Council reviewed the draft alternatives and discussed several technical issues related to implementation of such a baseline.
October 2023 Council Meeting: The Council selected preferred alternatives and took final action.
August 5, 2024: NOAA Fisheries published a proposed rule and request for comments.
October 29, 2024: NOAA Fisheries published a final rule.
Background
The Council previously proposed modifications to the permitting and management of the Illex squid fishery as part of Amendment 22 to the Mackerel, Squid, Butterfish Fishery Management Plan. Amendment 22 proposed a tiered permitting system which would have eliminated a portion of limited access permits from the directed fishery and implemented new restrictions for some permit holders. These changes were intended to both reduce excess capacity in the fishery and reduce the negative effects from a race to fish in recent years. In September 2022 NOAA Fisheries disapproved the majority of provisions in Amendment 22. After further dialogue with NOAA Fisheries regarding the disapproval, the Council initiated Framework 16 to restrict future vessel upgrades for all Illex permits, to address potential additional capacity increases.