April 26, 2012 — At the request of Northeast groundfish sector vessels, NOAA is proposing to implement an exempted fishery for trawl vessels that target skates for lobster bait, without having to use a groundfish fishing day at sea. This exemption would be allowed in a portion of southern New England waters, from July through October each year. This proposed measure will provide economic benefits to commercial fishermen without posing a risk to groundfish stocks because these vessels catch very little or no groundfish.
Read more about the proposed measures.