The rule implements the approved measures in FW 47 and also implements management measures and revises existing regulations that are not included in Framework 47, including common pool management measures for fishing year (FY) 2012, modification of the Ruhle trawl definition, and clarification of the regulations for charter/party and recreational groundfish vessels fishing in groundfish closed areas.
The action is part of the process established in the Northeast Multispecies FMP to set ABCs and ACLs and to revise management measures necessary to achieve the goals and objectives of the FMP. The Council developed Framework 47 to respond to recent stock assessments and updated stock information, as well as to revise management measures after the fishery has operated for more than 1 year under ACLs and AMs.