Haddock Bycatch Cap in the Herring Fishery Extended

December 12, 2005

Release from:
NOAA

NOAA Fisheries Service has extended the effectiveness of a haddock bycatch cap for the Atlantic herring fishery through June 6, 2006. This temporary rule maintains the current cap on the total amount of observed and reported haddock that can be landed by Category 1 herring vessels. It is intended to keep haddock possession as close to zero as practicable, while allowing the herring industry to operate. The rule also contains a summary of agency responses to comments received on the initial emergency action.

According to all available data, herring fishermen have been successful in avoiding haddock over the past 6 months. As of November 2005, only an estimated 11 percent of the total haddock bycatch cap has been reported landed from Category 1 herring vessels. NOAA will continue to monitor the 270,000-lb haddock bycatch cap based on actual landings reported by vessels and dealers/processors, as well as any other landings based on observer reports or enforcement actions. If the reported or observed landings under the incidental possession limit reach the bycatch cap, the directed herring fishery in the Georges Bank haddock stock area will be closed.

For more information, contact Brian.Hooker@noaa.gov.