The councils, with the assistance of NOAA Fisheries, developed the draft Omnibus Amendment to Simplify Vessel Baselines. This amendment eliminates certain baseline restrictions, reducing some administrative and other costs, while maintaining the benefits to conservation and fleet diversity that baseline measures provide. Fishing vessel baseline specifications and upgrade restrictions have been used as a tool in Northeast limited access fisheries to promote conservation of fish species by limiting potential increases in the harvest capacity of the fleet. Following this comment period, NOAA Fisheries will finalize the Omnibus Amendment document for final review and consideration by the Councils. Once both Councils approve the final amendment, NOAA Fisheries will conduct proposed and final rulemaking to implement the provisions contained in this amendment.
Anyone wishing to submit comments for consideration may do so through September 22, 2014 by emailing nmfs.gar.baseline@noaa.gov.
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