June 2, 2015 — NOAA Fisheries, at the request of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, is seeking public comment on the establishment of a control date for the Jonah crab fishery. The Jonah crab fishery is not currently subject to Federal regulations or managed coastwide by the Commission.
At its May 2015 meeting, the Commission initiated the development of an Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Jonah crabs due to concerns over a sudden increase in commercial landings.
The Commission requested that NOAA establish a control date for a future Jonah crab fishery in Federal waters, in order to put fishery participants on notice that access may be limited once a plan is established. The proposed control date is June 2, 2015.
Read the notice, and send your comments in via the Federal eRulemaking Portal by July 2, 2015.