April 30, 2012 — Effective May 1, several trip limits will be changed for NE multispecies vessels fishing in the common pool fishery on a Category A DAS. These trip limit changes are as follows:
Georges Bank cod is 2,000 lb/DAS up to 20,000 lb/trip,
Gulf of Maine cod is 650 lb/DAS up to 2,000 lb/trip, and
Georges Bank yellowtail flounder is 500 lb/trip.
All remaining multispecies trip limits are unchanged from Fishing Year 2011 to 2012.
The Fishing Year 2012 revised trip limits apply to fishing trips that have crossed the VMS demarcation line after 0001 hours on May 1. Vessels that start a trip before May 1 and end the same trip in the month of May are subject to FY 11 trip limits.
Also effective May 1, the Eastern U.S/Canada Management Area is open to common pool vessels using trawl gear. For information on common pool trip limits or other questions, contact the Sustainable Fisheries Division at 978-281-9315.