The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Fisheries Service has released the final version of a controversial interim fishing rule that will govern the Northeast’s beleaguered groundfishng fleet for the next year, according to a press release from the agency.
The final rule was amended from the agency’s original January proposal so as to reduce the economic impact on the fishing fleet while still making strides in rebuilding diminished groundfish stocks and reducing overfishing.
Under the final rule, total fishing revenues for the 2009 season are expected to drop 9 percent, compared with a 20 percent reduction under the proposed rule.