July 6, 2018 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:
The New England Fishery Management Council has scheduled five public hearings on Draft Amendment 22 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan. This amendment proposes to establish a limited access program for five stocks of small-mesh species: northern silver hake, southern silver hake, and offshore hake – collectively referred to as “whiting” – as well as northern red hake and southern red hake.
The amendment contains three components: (1) limited access qualification criteria; (2) silver and offshore hake possession limit alternatives; and (3) permit “characteristics and conditions” that could apply if limited access is adopted. Although the Council voted in December 2017 to send Amendment 22 out to public hearing with “no action” as its preferred alternative, public input is highly encouraged on all options.
The Council is committed to hearing all points of view before making a final decision in September.
Public Hearing Schedule
- Gloucester, MA – Thursday, July 19, Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries Annisquam River Marine Fisheries Station, 30 Emerson Avenue, 4 p.m.
- Tinton Falls, NJ – Monday, July 23, DoubleTree by Hilton, 700 Hope Drive, 7 p.m.
- Montauk, NY – Tuesday, July 24, Montauk Playhouse Community Center Foundation Inc., 240 Edgemere Street, 5 p.m.
- Warwick, RI – Wednesday, July 25, Hampton Inn & Suites, 2100 Post Road, 7 p.m.
- New Bedford, MA – Thursday, July 26, Fairfield Inn & Suites, 185 MacArthur Drive, 7 p.m.
Whiting Possession Limits by Permit Type
Amendment 22 proposes to: (1) retain or adjust whiting possession limits for vessels that qualify for a limited access permit; and (2) create an “incidental” possession limit for non-qualifiers. If the Council decides against establishing a limited access program, it still could adjust possession limits through this amendment. The new limits then would apply to any vessel with an open access Category K permit that operates in a small-mesh exemption program.