Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Northeast Multispecies Fishery; Framework Adjustments 27 and 30 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan (FMP)

NMFS issues this final rule to implement some of the measures contained in Framework 30 of the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan (FMP). This final rule implements a Georges Bank (GB) cod landing limit (daily landing limit) of 2,000 lb (907 kg) per day- at-sea (DAS) starting August 15, 1999, with a maximum possession limit (possession limit) of 20,000 lb (9,072 kg) per trip. This rule also authorizes the Administrator, Northeast Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), to adjust the daily landing limit and possession limit depending on the risk of exceeding the target total allowable catch (TAC), or not catching 75 percent of the TAC for GB cod. This action is necessary to reduce the GB cod fishing mortality rate (F) to achieve the rebuilding goals of the FMP. This rule also corrects the final rule implementing Framework Adjustment 27 to the FMP, which was published on May 5, 1999, and provides revised definitions for purposes of clarification for pelagic longline gear and pelagic hook and line gear.