Monkfish fishery management plan amendment 5, incorporating stock assessment and fishery evaluation (SAFE) reports for the 2007 & 2008 fishing years and the environmental assessment Amendment 5 to the Monkfish Fishery Management Plan, RIN 0648-AX70

"Amendment 5 will implement annual catch limits and accountability measures for the monkfish fishery to bring the FMP into compliance with the 2007 reauthorization orlhe Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, with the intent of preventing overfishing from occurring. This action also implements updated biological and management reference points for the monkfish fishery to be consistent with National Standard I guidelines and the most recent scientific advice on the fishery. Finally, this action implements three management measures to promote efficiency and reduce waste in the fishery. In nearly all cases, this action is expected to have a neutral or positive impact on the human environment. The only exceptions are some potentially negative impacts on non-target species, protected species, and habitat resulting from the increased days-at-sea allocations and trip limits resulting from the increased catch targets. These adverse impacts, however, are not likely to be substantial. Thus, there are no significant social or economic impacts, nor are there any significant natural or physical environmental effects expected to result from this action."--Cover letter; Portfolio comprised of the report and related ammendments and appendices, digitized and organized by: NOAA Office of Program Planning and Integration (PPI) National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) staff; Portfolio accompanied by: PPI NEPA cover letter for Environmental Assessment (EA), Responsible Program Manager: Patricia Kurkul, Regional Administrator, Northeast Region, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Apr. 28, 2011.