Atlantic Surfclam and Ocean Quahog Cost Recovery Amendment (Amendment 17)

The Cost Recovery Amendment (Amendment 17) to the Atlantic Surfclam and Ocean Quahog Fishery Management Plan (FMP) establishes a cost recovery program for the individual transferable quota (ITQ) fishery, as required by the Magnuson-Stevens Act. The amendment also contains provisions to remove the optimum yield ranges from the management plan, and to change how biological reference points are incorporated into the plan.

Amendment Status

On June 15, 2016, NMFS published a final rule approving and implementing the measures contained in Amendment 17. Read the final rule as filed in the Federal Register. Get more information from the permit holder bulletin available on the NMFS Greater Atlantic Region website. 

Documents

• Final Rule, June 15, 2016
• Permit Holder Bulletin, June 15, 2016
• Draft Cost Recovery Amendment, November 26, 2014
• February 2015 Council Meeting
  • Briefing Materials
  • Presentation
  • Webinar Recording
• October 2014 Council Meeting Materials
  • Briefing Materials
  • Webinar Recording
  • Presentation: Cost Recovery Amendment
  • Presentation: Information Collection Rule
• Background Documents
  • Timeline/History of Amendment
  • NOAA Fisheries Letters on Cost Recovery Program Requirements

More Information

• MAFMC Surfclam and Ocean Quahog Page
• NOAA FishWatch U.S. Seafood Facts
• NOAA Fisheries Greater Atlantic Region Information

Contact

• Jessica Coakley, Fishery Management Specialist, jcoakley@mafmc.org, (302) 526-5252
• Dr. José Montañez, Fishery Management Specialist, jmontanez@mafmc.org, (302) 526-5258