Northeast Multispecies (Groundfish) Catch Share Review – Final Report - May 2021
Groundfish Catch Share Program Review – Executive Summary
SSC Subpanel for Groundfish Sector Review – Catch Shares Peer Review Report – September 2020
Groundfish PDT Memo on Groundfish Catch Share Review – September 2020
Related Resources
Port Meetings – Agenda and Focus Questions
The New England Fishery Management Council is conducting a review of the groundfish sector system, which is a catch share program under the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan (FMP).
The evaluation period for this review is focused strictly on fishing years 2010 to 2015, spanning from May 1, 2010 through April 30, 2016. This period covers the first six years of the catch share program under Amendment 16 to the FMP. Information prior to program implementation also will be included for fishing years 2007 to 2009, covering May 1, 2007 through April 30, 2010.
The Council has contracted with the Gulf of Maine Research Institute (GMRI) to conduct a series of port meetings to solicit public comments about the review. The meetings, which will run from 4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., will be held in the following locations:
- Ellsworth, ME – July 18 at the Moore Community Center, 5 General Moore Way
- Portland, ME – July 19 at the Gulf of Maine Research Institute, 350 Commercial Street
- Hyannis, MA – July 23 at the Hyannis Youth and Community Center, 141 Bassett Lane
- Plymouth, MA – July 24 at Plymouth Library, 132 South Street
- Gloucester, MA – July 25 at Gloucester Library, 2 Dale Ave.
- Portsmouth, NH – July 26 at Portsmouth High School, 50 Andrew Jarvis Drive
- East Hampton, NY – August 21 (originally set for Riverhead, this is a revised date and location), East Hampton Town Hall, 159 Pantigo Road - This meeting starts at 4:00 p.m.
- Point Judith, RI – August 15 at the Narragansett Office of Town Managers, 25 Fifth Avenue, Narragansett
- New Bedford, MA – August 16 at Fairfield Inn and Suites, 185 MacArthur Drive
WHY IS THE COUNCIL CONDUCTING THIS REVIEW: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) catch share policy states that Councils periodically should review catch share programs to evaluate whether a program is meeting its goals and objectives. NOAA’s guidance is that “a formal and detailed review” should occur “no less frequently than once every seven years” for all limited access privilege programs (LAPPs) established after January 12, 2007. More information is available at NOAA Catch Share Policy.
IS ANYONE ELSE INVOLVED: The Council contracted with MRAG Americas Inc. to support the technical working group conducting the Groundfish Catch Share Program Review. The working group includes members from the Council, Northeast Fisheries Science Center, and Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office staff. MRAG Americas is:
- Facilitating working group meetings;
- Researching and summarizing pertinent information and coordinating working group review documents;
- Assisting with developing and writing the draft Catch Shares Program Review document; and
- Presenting the draft document to the Groundfish Plan Development Team, Groundfish and Recreational Advisory Panels, Scientific and Statistical Committee, Groundfish Committee, and the full Council.