July 21, 2020 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:
Today we filed the final rule to eliminate the regulations implementing the Closed Area I Hook Gear Haddock Special Access Program (SAP).
The Omnibus Essential Fish Habitat Amendment eliminated Closed Area I in 2018. As a result, the SAP for this area is unnecessary. The SAP no longer provides access or allows activity otherwise prohibited by any closed or gear restricted area. No vessel has participated in the SAP since the start of fishing year 2018.
Removing the program from the regulations helps to avoid confusion and inconsistency with other regulations.
For more details, please read the final rule as filed in the Federal Register or our bulletin.