September 13, 2017 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

NOAA announces an increase in the commercial scup quota and possession limit for the 2017 Winter II Period (November 1-December 31).

Unused quota from the Winter 1 Period (January 1-April 30) is being rolled over into Winter II.

The revised Winter II commercial scup quota is 5,160,914 lbs, up 76 percent from 2,929,762 lbs.

The revised commercial scup possession limit for the Winter II season is 18,000 lb per trip, up 50 percent from 12,000 lbs per trip.

When state and federal possession limits are different, fishermen are required to abide by the more restrictive of the two.

For more details, read the Federal Register notice as filed today, and the permit holder bulletin on our website.

Questions? Contact Cynthia Hanson, 978-281-9180 or Cynthia.hanson@noaa.gov.