Federal authority is seeking public comments on Draft Addenda II and III to Amendment 2 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Sea Herring. This draft was designed to mirror the New England Fishery Management Council’s Amendment 4 and proposes changes to the specifications’ definitions (and associated acronyms) as well as the process to set specifications.
According to the information the draft was designed to address concerns raised by small mesh bottom trawl (SMBT) vessels regarding the “days out” provision in Amendment 2. The Draft Addendum proposes possession limits and/or alternate days out for SMBT vessels fishing in Area 1A. Fishermen and other interested groups are encouraged to provide input on the Draft Addenda, either by attending public hearings or providing written comments.
