Multi-year Management Proposed for Spiny Dogfish

December 5, 2005

Release from:
NOAA

Spiny dogfish are jointly managed by the Mid-Atlantic and the New England Fishery Management Councils. The Councils recommend annual commercial quotas and other management measures (e.g., minimum or maximum fish sizes, seasons, mesh size restrictions, trip limits, or other gear restrictions), as needed. Under the current process, the commercial quota and trip limits are specified annually and apply only to the following fishing year.

The Councils recently developed Framework 1 to the Spiny Dogfish Fishery Management Plan in order to streamline the administrative process involved in setting management measures for spiny dogfish. A new proposed rule to implement Framework 1 would allow commercial quotas and other management measures to be specified for up to 5 years.

Public comments must be received by December 16. Comments may be sent to: DogFrame1@noaa.gov. Please include in the subject line: "Comments on Framework 1".

For more information, contact Eric.Dolan@noaa.gov.