PHILADELPHIA, PA — Concerned that lobstermen might be caught off guard by recent developments at the federal level, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s (ASMFC) American Lobster Management Board has initiated a new addendum to the interstate lobster plan to raise awareness that groundfish fishermen soon may be able to fish in previously closed areas where lobstermen may have gear.
The board made this decision at an Oct. 22 meeting here primarily to formally air an agreement reached between lobster and groundfish fishermen for Closed Area II on Georges Bank.
But it quickly became clear that the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) had concerns beyond Closed Area II.
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