May 19, 2015 — Atlantic boat documentation may become simpler. The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) announced a proposed Omnibus Amendment To Simplify Vessel Baselines. The Mid-Atlantic and New England Fishery Management councils jointly submitted an Omnibus Amendment to the Fishery Management Plans for public comment in the Federal Register of Monday, May 18, 2015.
The proposal calls for ending both the one-time limit on vessel upgrades and the gross and net tonnages from specifications considered when determining baseline for replacement purposes. NMFS says the move would cut work for both permit holders and the agency without any major effects. NMFS is also proposing to end the “negative fishing reports,” so boaters would not have to file reports when they don’t go fishing.
Read the full story at The Examiner