Sturgeon Bycatch Framework

Joint Framework Action to Reduce Sturgeon Bycatch in Dogfish and Monkfish Fisheries

Photo Credit: NOAA Fisheries

Overview

The Mid-Atlantic and New England Fishery Management Councils jointly adopted this framework action to reduce bycatch of Atlantic sturgeon (an endangered species) in the monkfish and spiny dogfish gillnet fisheries. This action was initiated in response to NMFS’ Action Plan to Reduce Atlantic Sturgeon Bycatch in Federal Large Mesh Gillnet Fisheries.  One of the recommendations made by the working group was that the Councils take action to reduce sturgeon bycatch in federal large mesh gillnet fisheries by 2024.

Contacts:

• MAFMC: Jason Didden (jdidden@mafmc.org, 302-526- 5254)

• NEFMC: Jenny Couture (jcouture@nefmc.org, 978-465-0492 ext. 111)

Action Status and Timeline

Next Steps: The following is a tentative schedule of recent/next steps (subject to change)

• April 2024: Councils took final action: MAFMC Meeting, NEFMC Meeting

• Mid 2024: Environmental Assessment Finalized

• Later in 2024: Proposed and Final Rulemaking

Documents

• Final Action Plan to Reduce Atlantic Sturgeon Bycatch in Federal Large-Mesh Gillnet Fisheries (9/26/22)

• Biological Opinion on 10 Fishery Management Plans (5/27/21)

• Atlantic Sturgeon Bycatch Reduction Studies

• Updated January 2024 bycatch analyses by GARFO/Hocking 2024’

• Briefing materials for March 13, 2024 Committee meeting

• Meeting Report of final action

Fishery Management Action Team (FMAT)/Plan Development Team (PDT)

• Jason Didden, MAFMC

• Robin Frede, NEFMC

• Jenny Couture, NEFMC

• Spencer Talmage, GARFO SFD

• Lynn Lankshear, GARFO PRD

• Bridget St. Amand, NEFSC

• Jason Boucher, NEFSC

• James Boyle, ASMFC