National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration February 15, 2022 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by vessels using pot gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the A season allowance of the 2022 total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific cod by vessels using pot gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA.

NMFS proposes to approve and implement Framework Adjustment 34 to the Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery Management Plan that establishes scallop specifications and other management measures for fishing years 2022 and 2023. Framework 34 would incorporate the new specifications- setting methodology and other changes developed by Amendment 21 to the Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery Management Plan into the 2022 fishing year specifications, as well implement measures for fishing years 2022 and 2023to protect small scallops, promote scallop recruitment in the mid- Atlantic, and reduce bycatch of flatfish. This action would also address regulatory text that is unnecessary, outdated, or unclear. This action is necessary to prevent overfishing and improve both yield-per- recruit and the overall management of the Atlantic sea scallop resource.