Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Deep-Sea Red Crab Fishery; Framework Adjustment 1 to the Atlantic Deep-Sea Red Crab Fishery Management Plan

NMFS issues final regulations to implement Framework Adjustment 1 to the Atlantic Deep-Sea Red Crab (Red Crab) Fishery Management Plan (FMP). This final rule modifies the existing annual review and specification process by allowing specifications to be set for up to 3 years at a time, and continues the current target total allowable catch (TAC) of 5.928 million lb (2.69 million kg) and fleet days-at-sea (DAS) of 780 fleet DAS for fishing year (FY) 2006 and FY2007. The purpose of this action is to conserve and manage the red crab resource, reduce the staff resources necessary to effectively manage this fishery, and provide consistency and predictability to the industry.