NMFS has published a notice of availability and is requesting comments on Amendment 22 to the Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fishery Management Plan (also referred to as the MSB FMP Goals/Objectives and Illex Permits Amendment). This amendment would implement updated and reformatted goals and objectives for the fishery management plan, a tiered permit system for vessels currently issued an Illex squid moratorium permit, a fish hold volume baseline, a fish hold volume upgrade restriction for the highest tier Illex squid moratorium permits, and clarify that all Illex squid moratorium permits must submit daily catch reports via the vessel monitoring system. The purpose of this action is to align the fishery goals/objectives with current Council vision and priorities and to revise the number and types of Illex squid moratorium permits to reduce the negative effects from a race to fish in recent years.
The comment period is open through August 8, 2022. You may submit your comments through the e-rulemaking portal.