According to NOAA Fisheries Service the association in cooperation with the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council announced its intent to prepare a supplemental environmental impact statement (SEIS) for Amendment 11 to the Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fishery Management Plan. It is said that the Council and NOAA Fisheries Service have determined that the Amendment 11 document is an independent action and therefore will be handled as an EIS, rather than SEIS.
The Council informed that it has chosen to consider management measures in this action in addition to limited access in the Atlantic mackerel fishery, including: The implementation of annual catch limits and accountability measures for Atlantic mackerel and butterfish required under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Reauthorization Act of 2006; an update of the description and identification of essential fish habitat for all life stages of mackerel, Loligo squid, Illex squid, and butterfish (including gear impacts on Loligo egg EFH); and possible limitations on at-sea processing of mackerel.
It si told that this supplemental Notice of Intent (NOI) seeks comments on only the above listed new measures that may be included in Amendment 11. Additional scoping will take place via solicitation of public comment at Council meetings and related Council committee meetings as Amendment 11 is considered and developed.
