Amendment of the harbor porpoise take reduction plan – Mid-Atlantic to modify minimum required twine size in regulated gillnet fisheries, environmental assessment

The Joint Framework Action created a requirement in an area off of New Jersey for large mesh gillnet gear to be constructed with a twine size of 0.81 mm which conflicts with the Harbor Porpoise Take Reduction Plan’s requirement of 0.9 mm minimum twine size for large mesh gillnet gear. The purpose of this action is to bring the two regulations into alignment by amending the HPTRP in the Mid-Atlantic to allow a minimum twine size diameter of 0.81 mm. This will provide flexibility to fishermen in the Mid-Atlantic without creating further requirements. Referencing the Environmental Assessment for Framework Adjustment 15 to the Monkfish Plan and Framework Adjustment 6 to the Spiny Dogfish Plan