NOAA Fisheries has disapproved new permit measures on Amendment 22 to the mackerel, squid, and butterfish fishery management plan (FMP), measures which would have potentially changed the makeup of the illex squid fishery.
The proposed changes to Amendment 22 would have created a three-tiered trip-limit system for the illex fishery, which takes place on the U.S. East Coast. The fishery has been steadily growing in recent years, and was recently certified by the Marine Stewardship Council. According to NOAA’s submission to the Federal Register, the new rules would include reformatted goals and objectives for the fishery management plan, tiered permitting based on vessels currently issued an illex squid moratorium permit, and more.
“The purpose of this action is to align the fishery goals/objectives with current council vision and priorities and to revise the number and types of illex squid moratorium permits to reduce the negative effects from a race to fish in recent years,” NOAA said.
According to NOAA, the fishery was the subject of increased fishing due to overcapitalization of the fishing fleet as the fishery became more-productive and valuable ...
Photo courtesy of Lund's Fisheries
