Northern Red Hake Archives

NOAA Fisheries Announces Reduction of the Northern Red Hake Commercial Possession Limit

September 10, 2019 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

Effective today, we are reducing the northern red hake commercial per-trip possession from 3,000 lb to 400 lb per day. Federally permitted vessels fishing for northern red hake may not exceed the incidental commercial possession limit of 400 lb per trip for the remainder of the 2019 fishing year, which ends on April 30, 2020.

This reduction is required by regulation because as of September 3, 2019, the northern red hake fishery is projected to reach or exceed 37.9 percent of the total allowable landings (TAL) on or around September 4, 2019.

Vessels that are currently on a trip when this reduction becomes effective may retain northern red hake up to the prior possession limit of 3,000 lb for the completion of that trip. Dealers issued federal permits for small-mesh multispecies may not purchase more than 400 lb of northern red hake per trip from federally permitted vessels for any trip that started after September 9, 2019 through the remainder of the fishing year (April 30, 2020).

For more information read the rule as filed in the Federal Register or the bulletin posted on our website.

NOAA Fisheries Announces Reduction of the Northern Red Hake Commercial Possession Limit

February 27, 2019 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

This reduction is required by regulation because as of February 13, 2019, the northern red hake fishery is projected to reach or exceed 37.9 percent of the total allowable landings (TAL) on or around February 22, 2019.

For more information read the rule as filed in the Federal Register or the bulletin posted on our website

Whiting Amendment 22: NEFMC Schedules Five Hearings to Consider Limited Access Program for Small-Mesh Multispecies

July 6, 2018 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:

The New England Fishery Management Council has scheduled five public hearings on Draft Amendment 22 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan. This amendment proposes to establish a limited access program for five stocks of small-mesh species: northern silver hake, southern silver hake, and offshore hake – collectively referred to as “whiting” – as well as northern red hake and southern red hake.

The amendment contains three components: (1) limited access qualification criteria; (2) silver and offshore hake possession limit alternatives; and (3) permit “characteristics and conditions” that could apply if limited access is adopted. Although the Council voted in December 2017 to send Amendment 22 out to public hearing with “no action” as its preferred alternative, public input is highly encouraged on all options.

The Council is committed to hearing all points of view before making a final decision in September.

Public Hearing Schedule

Gloucester, MA – Thursday, July 19, Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries Annisquam River Marine Fisheries Station, 30 Emerson Avenue, 4 p.m.
Tinton Falls, NJ – Monday, July 23, DoubleTree by Hilton, 700 Hope Drive, 7 p.m.
Montauk, NY – Tuesday, July 24, Montauk Playhouse Community Center Foundation Inc., 240 Edgemere Street, 5 p.m.
Warwick, RI – Wednesday, July 25, Hampton Inn & Suites, 2100 Post Road, 7 p.m.
New Bedford, MA – Thursday, July 26, Fairfield Inn & Suites, 185 MacArthur Drive, 7 p.m.

Whiting Possession Limits by Permit Type

Amendment 22 proposes to: (1) retain or adjust whiting possession limits for vessels that qualify for a limited access permit; and (2) create an “incidental” possession limit for non-qualifiers. If the Council decides against establishing a limited access program, it still could adjust possession limits through this amendment. The new limits then would apply to any vessel with an open access Category K permit that operates in a small-mesh exemption program.

Read the full release here

NOAA Fisheries Announces Northern Red Hake Possession Limit Reduction

August 8, 2017 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

The northern red hake commercial possession limit is reduced from 3,000 lbs per trip to 400 lbs per trip. Effective immediately, federally permitted vessels may not possess on board or land more than 400 lb of northern red hake per trip for the remainder of the 2017 fishing year (i.e., through April 30, 2018).

This reduction is required because the northern red hake fishery is projected to have reached or exceeded 37.9 percent of the total allowable landings.

Vessels that have started a fishing trip when this possession limit reduction becomes effective may retain northern red hake under the previous possession limit of 3,000 lb for the remainder of that trip.

Dealers issued federal dealer permits for small-mesh multispecies may not purchase more than 400 lbs of northern red hake per trip from federally permitted vessels for trips started after August 7, 2017. Federally permitted dealers must continue to report all fish purchased from any vessel.

Read the rule as filed today at 4:15pm and the permit holder letter on our website for more information.

NOAA Fisheries Announces Reduction in Northern Red Hake Possession Limit

August 12, 2015 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

As of today, NOAA Fisheries is reducing the possession limit of northern red hake for the remainder of the 2015 fishing year (April 30, 2016) to ensure the total allowable landings will not be exceeded.

The northern red hake possession limit must be reduced from 3,000 lb to 1,500 lb when landings for the fishing year reach or are projected to reach 45 percent of the total allowable landings. The northern red hake fishery was projected to have reached this level on August 10.

This limit goes into effect on Wednesday, August 12. Vessels currently on a trip are allowed to retain northern red hake in accordance with the previous possession limit of 3,000 lb.

Read the rule as filed in the Federal Register, or read the permit holder bulletin on our website.

Questions? Contact Reid Lichwell, Regional Office, at 978-281-6112 or reid.lichwell@noaa.gov.