Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act Provisions; Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Northeast Groundfish Fishery; Fishing Year 2014; Recreational Management Measures
This action changes the Gulf of Maine Atlantic cod and haddock recreational fishery minimum fish size requirements, per-angler possession limits, and fishing seasons for the 2014 fishing year (May 1, 2014-April 30, 2015). This action is necessary to ensure that recreational catch does not exceed recreational catch limits for these two stocks for the 2014 fishing year, consistent with the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan accountability measures. The intended effect of the changes is to ensure effective management so recreational catch limits are not exceeded as part of the larger Northeast multispecies catch limit and accountability measures management system designed to prevent overfishing.