September 18, 2015 — The following was released by NOAA:
NOAA Fisheries announces that the commercial scup quota and the per trip possession limit for the 2015 Winter II quota period (November 1-December 31) is increased due to the rollover of unused quota from the Winter I period of 2,084,256 lbs.
The commercial scup possession limit for the upcoming Winter II season will be 18,000 lb, up from the initial 12,000 lbs, and is the maximum allowed in Winter II.
The commercial scup quota for Winter II has been revised up to 5,468,726 lbs from 3,384,700 lbs.
The commercial quota for scup is distributed through the coastal states from Maine to North Carolina, and is managed on a coastwide basis. Fishermen should keep in mind that when the state and Federal possession limits are different, you are required to abide by the more restrictive of the two.
Read the rule as filed in the Federal Register and the bulletin posted on our website.
Questions? Contact Reid Lichwell, Regional Office, at 978-281-9112 or Reid.Lichwell@noaa.gov.