Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions: Exempted Fishing Permits Application
AI-generated summary for informational purposes only. Not legal advice. See the original source for the authoritative text.
This notice discusses a proposed Exempted Fishing Permit allowing a research project to collect data on pollock and cod in the Gulf of Maine. It could change fishing regulations for one vessel, aiding scientific research by permitting fishing in usually restricted areas.
AI-generated summary. May contain errors. Refer to official sources for legal decisions.
Key Changes
- Allows a research project on pollock and cod in restricted areas.
- Permits retention of sublegal size pollock for scientific sampling.
- Enables data collection using electronic jigging machines.
Obligations
What this law requires
Submit written comments on the Exempted Fishing Permit application by April 28, 2026 to nmfs.gar.efp@noaa.gov with the subject line 'Using electronic jigging machines as a novel, ultra-low impact, gear type to collect catch data and biological samples in the Gulf of Maine (GOM) Groundfish Closure Areas.'
Retain only sublegal-sized pollock and Atlantic cod for sampling purposes; no sublegal fish may be sold.
Live discard all sublegal-sized fish other than sampled pollock and cod according to the Vessel Electronic Monitoring Plan (VMP).
Conduct fishing activities only within Statistical Areas 513, 514, and 515 in the Gulf of Maine for a maximum of 20 trips with 40 total days of operation between May 1, 2026 and April 30, 2027.
Collect haul-level catch, discard, and fishing effort data using the Northeast Fisheries Science Center Fisheries Logbook Data Recording Software.