WASHINGTON DC, February 29, 2012 – Currently (as of February 28th), the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has not taken any action to close the Southern New England Yellowtail Flounder Area. However, NFMS action is likely, as is the probable closure of the Yellowtail Flounder Area.
It is likely that NMFS will find that the scallop fishery’s yellowtail flounder catch has exceeded 120% of the scallop fishery’s flounder limit. Under Scallop Amendment 15 and Framework Adjustment 23, this would result in a year-long closure of the yellowtail flounder area.
Still unclear is whether the fleet will be able to re-enter the area once Groundfish Framework 47 is implemented. That will depend on whether NMFS finds the yellowtail catch is exceeding 150% of that limit.