Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fishery; Emergency Rule Extension, Revision of 2011 Butterfish Specifications

NMFS extends the emergency revision to the butterfish allowable biological catch (ABC) implemented on March 15, 2011, which is scheduled to expire on September 12, 2011. Specifically, this temporary rule maintains the increase in the butterfish ABC from 1,500 mt to 1,811 mt, and applies the increase to the butterfish mortality cap in the Loligo (Doryteuthis) squid fishery, based on the most recent and best available scientific information. The increase is extended for an additional 186 days to maintain the increased butterfish ABC through the end of the 2011 fishing year (i.e., through December 31, 2011), or until superseded by 2012 MSB specifications.