September 25, 2019 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:
The New England Fishery Management Council has approved Framework Adjustment 8 to the Northeast Skate Complex Fishery Management Plan (FMP). The framework contains specifications for the 2020 and 2021 fishing years, including total allowable landings (TALs) for both the skate wing and skate bait fisheries that are slightly higher than current landing limits.
The Council adopted a 32,715 metric ton (mt) acceptable biological catch (ABC) for the skate complex based on advice from its Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC). This is 1,388 mt higher than what’s now in place. The Council supported the modest increase after the SSC determined it was scientifically justified and because the increase should allow the fishery to achieve optimum yield.
Under the skate plan, the annual catch limit (ACL) is equal to the ABC. Deductions from the ACL are made to account for: (1) management uncertainty; (2) projected dead discards; and (3) projected state landings, all to achieve the TAL for the overall federal fishery.