This rule corrects inadvertent errors and omissions found in the April 27, 2004, final rule implementing Amendment 13 and the November 19, 2004, interim final rule implementing Framework Adjustment (Framework) 40–A to the Northeast (NE) Multispecies Fishery Management Plan (FMP).
This rule also clarifies specific regulations to maintain consistency with, and to accurately reflect, the intent of Amendment 13 and Framework 40–A to the FMP. Finally, this rule revises the process for selecting total allowable catch (TAC) allocations for the U.S./ Canada Management Areas pursuant to a court order. Framework 40–A was developed by the Council to provide additional opportunities for NE multispecies vessels to target healthy stocks in an effort to help achieve optimum yield from the fishery and to mitigate some of the economic impacts resulting from effort reductions implemented under Amendment 13. NMFS published an interim final rule implementing measures approved under Framework 40–A on November 19, 2004 (69 FR67780), which became effective on November 19, 2004.