GLOUCESTER, Mass. – August 31, 2010 – According to an order by NOAA issued today, starting tomorrow, those who are fishing under a Category A Day in certain areas will need to count each fishing day as if were two days. Cmmon pool fishermen affected lose 50% of their fishing rights overnight, with no prior notice.
The text of NOAA's announcement follows:
In order to ensure a stable supply of groundfish throughout the fishing year, NOAA Fisheries Service announces that, effective on September 2, 2010 at 0001 hours, it is implementing a Category A differential DAS counting rate of 2: 1. This requirement applies to NE multispecies common pool vessels fishing under a Category A DAS in the Inshore GOM Differential DAS Area, the Offshore GOM Differential DAS Area, the Inshore GB Differential DAS Area, and the Offshore GB Differential DAS Area. This rule does not apply to the SNE Differential DAS Area; vessels will only be charged at a 1: 1 rate if fishing there. This rule also implements a zero possession limit on witch flounder for all common pool vessels.