Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act Provisions; Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Northeast (NE) Multispecies Fishery; Opening of the Eastern U.S./Canada Area and Trip Limit Change

NMFS announces a temporary reopening of the Eastern U.S./ Canada Area, including the Eastern U.S./Canada Haddock Special Access Program (SAP), to limited access NE multispecies days-at-sea (DAS) vessels through November 30, 2007. This action also implements a 1,000- lb (454-kg) trip limit for Georges Bank (GB) cod for all limited access NE multispecies DAS vessels fishing in the Eastern U.S./Canada Area. This action is being taken to allow NE multispecies DAS vessels increased access to the substantial Eastern U.S./Canada Area GB haddock total allowable catch (TAC), and provide increased opportunities to achieve optimum yield in the groundfish fishery. The intended effect is to maximize the utility of the remaining GB cod TAC by opening the Eastern U.S./Canada Area when the relative abundance of GB haddock in relation to GB cod is highest.