Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Northeast Multispecies Fishery; Exempted Fisheries

NMFS issues this notification to authorize new fishery exemptions and to modify an existing exemption under the regulations implementing the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan (FMP). This notification advises the public of three additional exempted fisheries to be conducted in the Gulf of Maine/Georges Bank (GOM/GB) and Southern New England (SNE) regulated mesh areas, adds restrictions to an existing exempted fishery, and adds two species to the list of allowed bycatch species in the Cultivator Shoal whiting exemption program. The intent of this notification is to maximize fishing opportunities in a manner that is consistent with the conservation objectives of the FMP.