History of the Atlantic Mackerel, Squid and Butterfish FMP Year Document Management Action 1978, 1979 Original FMPs (3) Established management of Atlantic mackerel, squid, and butterfish fisheries 1983 Merged FMP Consolidated management of Atlantic mackerel, squid, and butterfish fisheries under a single FMP 1984 Amendment 1 Implemented squid OY adjustment mechanism Revise Atlantic mackerel mortality rate 1986 Amendment 2 Equated fishing year with calendar year Revised squid bycatch TALFF allowances Implemented framework adjustment process Converted expiration of fishing permits from indefinite to annual 1991 Amendment 3 Established overfishing definitions for all four species 1991 Amendment 4 Limited the activity of directed foreign fishing and joint venture transfers to foreign vessels Allowed for specification of OY for Atlantic mackerel for up to three years 1996 Amendment 5 Adjusted Loligo MSY Eliminated directed foreign fisheries for Loligo, Illex, and butterfish Instituted a dealer and vessel reporting system Instituted an operator permitting system Implemented a limited access system for Loligo, Illex and butterfish Expanded the management unit to include all Atlantic mackerel, Loligo, Illex, and butterfish under U.S. jurisdiction. 1997 Amendment 6 Revised the overfishing definitions for Loligo, Illex, and butterfish Established directed fishery closure at 95% of DAH for Loligo, Illex and butterfish with post-closure trip limits for each species Established a mechanism for seasonal management of the Illex fishery to improve the yield-per recruit 1997 Amendment 7 Established consistency among FMPs in the NE region of the U.S. relative to vessel permitting, replacement and upgrade criteria 1998 Amendment 8 Brought the FMP into compliance with new and revised National Standards and other required provisions of the Sustainable Fisheries Act Added a framework adjustment procedure 2001 Framework 1 Created a quota set-aside for the purpose of conducting scientific research 2002 Framework 2 Extended the moratorium on entry to the Illex fishery for an additional year Established that previous year specifications apply when specifications for the management unit are not published prior to the start of the fishing year (excluding TALFF specifications) Allowed for the specification of management measures for Loligo for a period of up to three years 2003 Framework 3 Extended the moratorium on entry to the Illex fishery for an additional year 2004 Framework 4 Extended the moratorium on entry to the Illex fishery for an additional five years 2008 Pending Final Rule Amendment 9 Allow for multi-year specifications for all four managed species (mackerel, butterfish, Illex, and Loligo) for up to 3 years Extend the moratorium on entry into the Illex fishery, without a sunset provision Adopt biological reference points for Loligo recommended by the stock assessment review committee (SARC) Designate EFH for Loligo eggs based on available information Prohibit bottom trawling by MSB-permitted vessels in Lydonia and Oceanographer Canyons

Last Updated:  April 02, 2008