Federal Register #0648-BN55

NOAA Regulatory Update: Framework Adjustment 18 to Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass FMP

This opportunity is a regulatory update, not a procurement action, issued by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) under the Department of Commerce: - Government Buyer: - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Department of Commerce - National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) - Regulatory Action: - Implements Framework Adjustment 18 to the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fishery Management Plan (FMP) - Expands the Small-Mesh Exemption Program (SMEP) area - Revises the annual evaluation process for SMEP - Updates the regulatory definition of a flynet to reflect modern net configurations - Impact: - Provides greater operational flexibility for commercial fishers - Maintains protections for smaller summer flounder - Cooperative Management Entities: - Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council - Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission - No products or services are being procured; this is a regulatory change affecting commercial fishing practices - Supporting documents are available from the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council in Dover, DE

Description

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) announces the implementation of Framework Adjustment 18 to the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fishery Management Plan (FMP). This framework modifies exemptions to the minimum mesh size requirements in the commercial summer flounder fishery to increase operational flexibility for the commercial fishing industry. The adjustment includes expansion of the Small-Mesh Exemption Program area, revision of the annual evaluation process, and changes to the definition of a flynet. These changes aim to modernize exemptions consistent with current gear use and fishing practices without increasing the catch of smaller summer flounder.

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