October 4, 2022 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:
The New England Fishery Management Council discussed several items related to monkfish and skates during its September 26-29, 2022 hybrid meeting in Gloucester, MA.
• The Council received the final 2022 Monkfish Fishery Performance Report, which was developed to help the Council better understand present conditions in the fishery.
• The Council also received an update on Framework Adjustment 13 to the Monkfish Fishery Management Plan (FMP), which includes specifications for the 2023-2025 fishing years and other management measures. This portion of the discussion covered very preliminary outcomes from the latest monkfish stock assessment, which was peer reviewed the week before the Council meeting. And,
• The Council received an overview of the 2022 Skate Annual Monitoring Report, which covered the fishery and data through the 2021 fishing year and incorporated improvements recommended by the Skate Plan Development Team (PDT).