April 18, 2019 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:
During its mid-April meeting in Mystic, CT, the New England Fishery Management Council approved a wide range of alternatives that will be further developed for consideration in Groundfish Monitoring Amendment 23. This step paves the way for the Groundfish Committee, Plan Development Team, and Groundfish Advisory Panel to continue working on these alternatives and advance the amendment to the next level of analyses.
The Council also dealt with three other groundfish-related issues. In short, the Council:
- Modified its policy on gear standards in order to facilitate the use of new gear when accountability measures (AMs) are triggered;
- Received an update on its Groundfish Catch Share Review, which covers fishing years 2010-2015; and
- Received a quick overview of the ongoing listening sessions being conducted to solicit public comment on whether the Council should develop a limited access program for the recreational party/charter boat fishery under the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan (groundfish plan).