National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration February 25, 2022 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This action increases the possession and trip limits of Gulf of Maine cod, Cape Cod/Gulf of Maine yellowtail flounder, and witch flounder for Northeast multispecies common pool vessels for the remainder of the 2021 fishing year. This action will provide the common pool fishery greater opportunity to harvest, but not exceed, the annual quotas for these stocks.

NMFS announces that the State of North Carolina is transferring a portion of its 2022 commercial summer flounder quota to the Commonwealth of Virginia. This adjustment to the 2022 fishing year quota is necessary to comply with the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fishery Management Plan quota transfer provisions. This announcement informs the public of the revised 2022 commercial quotas for North Carolina and Virginia.

NMFS proposes Atlantic spiny dogfish specifications for the 2022 fishing year, and an adjustment to the commercial trip limit, as recommended by the Mid-Atlantic and New England Fishery Management Councils. This action is necessary to establish allowable harvest levels and other management measures to prevent overfishing while enabling optimum yield, using the best scientific information available. This rulemaking also informs the public of the proposed fishery action and provides an opportunity for comment.

The Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) of the Mid- Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold a meeting.