NOAA Fisheries has published a notice of availability for Amendment 17 to the Mid-Atlantic Council's Surfclam and Ocean Quahog Fishery Management Plan (FMP). Amendment 17 proposes to establish a cost recovery program for the individual transferable quota (ITQ) component of these fisheries, make administrative changes to how biological reference points are incorporated into the management plan, and remove the optimum yield range from the plan.
Download the draft amendment (includes Environmental Assessment)
Submit Comments:
A proposed rule seeking comment on the implementing regulations for this amendment will publish soon.
Comments may be submitted online through the e-rulemaking portal or by mail to:
John Bullard, Regional Administrator
Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office
55 Great Republic Drive
Gloucester, MA 01930
Please label the envelope: "Comments on Amendment 17 for the Surfclam and Ocean Quahog Fishery."
Public comment on this amendment will be accepted through April 25, 2016.
Questions? Contact Allison Ferreira, Regional Office, at 978-281-9103 or Allison.Ferreira@noaa.gov.