NMFS implements this final rule pursuant to its authority to issue emergency measures under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act). This emergency action implements measures intended to reduce immediately discards of Georges Bank (GB) and Gulf of Maine (GOM) haddock to prevent excessive waste and comply with the goals of reducing discards and maintaining the rebuilding programs of the Northeast (NE) Multispecies Fishery Management Plan (FMP), while helping to achieve optimum yield at the same time. Specifically, this emergency action reduces the commercial minimum haddock size to 18 inches (45 cm) from the current minimum size of 19 inches (48.3 cm). This action is intended to reduce discarding and maintain consistency with the FMP and the Magnuson-Stevens Act.