NMFS is implementing approved measures contained in Framework Adjustment 40-A (FW 40-A) to the NE Multispecies Fishery Management Plan (FMP). FW 40-A was developed by the New England Fishery Management Council (Council) to provide additional opportunities for vessels in the fishery to target healthy stocks of groundfish in order to mitigate the economic and social impacts resulting from the effort reductions required by Amendment 13 to the FMP, and to harvest groundfish stocks at levels that approach optimum yield (OY). This rule implements three programs to allow vessels to use Category B Days-at-Sea (DAS) (both Regular and Reserve) to target healthy stocks: Regular B DAS Pilot Program; Closed Area (CA) I Hook Gear Haddock Special Access Program (SAP) for the Georges Bank (GB) Cod Hook Sector (Sector); and Eastern U.S./Canada Haddock SAP Pilot Program. In addition, FW 40-A relieves an Amendment 13 restriction that prohibited vessels from fishing both in the Western U.S./Canada Area and outside that area on the same trip.