NMFS implements measures to establish target total allowable catch (TAC) levels for the monkfish fishery for the 2004 fishing year (FY), and adjust trip limits and days-at-sea (DAS) for limited access monkfish vessels fishing in the Southern Fishery Management Area (SFMA) based upon the target TAC setting and trip limit and DAS adjustment methods established in Framework Adjustment 2 (Framework 2) to the Monkfish Fishery Management Plan (FMP).
Based on these methods, this final rule establishes FY 2004 target TACs of 16,968 mt for the Northern Fishery Management Area (NFMA), and 6,772 mt for the SFMA; adjusts the trip limits for vessels fishing in the SFMA to 550 lb (250 kg) tail weight per DAS for limited access Category A and C vessels, and 450 lb (204 kg) tail weight per DAS for limited access Category B and D vessels; and restricts the FY 2004 DAS available for monkfish limited access vessels fishing in the SFMA to 28 DAS.