New England council asks NMFS to modify monkfish emergency action

MYSTIC, CT – The New England Fishery Management Council has asked the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to expeditiously modify its recent monkfish emergency rule so that groundfish fishermen can keep more monkfish while working under a groundfish day-at-sea in the northern area, which covers the Gulf of Maine and northern Georges Bank.

The council made this request during its April 23-25 meeting and specifically asked that groundfish boats with Category C and D monkfish permits be allowed to keep 1,250 pounds and 600 pounds of monktails respectively on a groundfish day rather than 300 pounds, the current cap.

   


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