NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service has determined that 80 percent of the butterfish quota for the 2009 fishing year has been harvested. Therefore, effective 0001 hours, November 25, 2009, the directed fishery for butterfish is closed and vessels issued Federal permits for butterfish may not retain or land more than 600 lb. of butterfish per trip or per calendar day.
Federally permitted dealers are also advised that they may not purchase butterfish from federally permitted vessels that harvest more than 600 lb. of butterfish until January 1, 2010. The directed fishery will reopen at 0001 hours, January 1, 2010, at which time the 2010 quota for the butterfish fishery will become available.