Framework Adjustment 12 to the Northeast Skate Complex Fishery Management Plan

NOAA Fisheries is implementing approved measures found in Framework 12 to the Northeast skate fishery, including 2024-2025 specifications and increased seasonal possession limits for the wing fishery to provide greater flexibility. The final rule will:

• Decrease the annual catch limit for the skate complex from 37,236 mt to 32,155 mt.
• Decrease the total allowable landings of skate wings from 14,059 mt to 10,453 mt.
• Decrease the total allowable landings of skate bait from 7,082 mt to 5,266 mt.
• Increase the wing fishery Season 1 possession limit from 3,000 lb to 4,000 lb.
• Increase the wing fishery Season 2 possession limit from 5,000 lb to 6,000 lb.
• Increase the possession limit for trips fishing on a Northeast multispecies B-DAS from 220 lb to 275 lb.
• Increase the possession limit for trips not fishing on a DAS from 500 lb to 625 lb.
• Remove the barndoor skate-specific limit within the overall skate wing possession limits (i.e., the 25-percent partial possession limit for trips landing skate wings on a DAS and prohibition on possession for trips landing skate wings on a B-DAS on not on a DAS) and allow possession on all trips in the wing fishery.
• Remove the smooth skate-specific possession restriction on all trips landing skate in both the wing and bait fisheries, including in the Gulf of Maine Regulated Mesh Area.

The final rule also provides information on the disapproval of the removal of barndoor skate possession restrictions for the bait fishery proposed in Framework 12.

As always, when state and Federal trip limits differ, the more restrictive measures apply to all vessels with a Federal permit.