October 6, 2017 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:
Today, we published a Notice of Availability for the New England Fishery Management Council’s Omnibus Essential Fish Habitat Amendment 2.
We are seeking public comment on an action that would:
- Revise the essential fish habitat designations for all New England Fishery Management Council-managed species and life stages;
- Add Habitat Areas of Particular Concern to highlight especially important habitat areas;
- Revise the spatial management system within the Gulf of Maine, Georges Bank, and the southern New England area;
- Establish two Dedicated Habitat Research Areas;
- Revise or implement seasonal spawning protection measures; and
- Add system for reviewing and updating the proposed measures.
Read the Notice as published in the Federal Register, and submit your comments through the online portal. You may also submit comments through regular mail to: John Bullard, Regional Administrator, Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930.
The comment period is open through December 5, 2017.