Sturgeon Bycatch Framework

Joint Framework Action to Reduce Sturgeon Bycatch in Dogfish and Monkfish Fisheries

Photo Credit: NOAA Fisheries

Overview

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council and New England Fishery Management Council are jointly developing a framework action to reduce bycatch of Atlantic sturgeon (an endangered species) in the monkfish and spiny dogfish gillnet fisheries. This action was initiated in response to recommendations made by the Atlantic Sturgeon Bycatch Working Group, as described in the Action Plan to Reduce Atlantic Sturgeon Bycatch in Federal Large Mesh Gillnet Fisheries.  

One of the recommendations made by the working group was that the Mid-Atlantic and New England Councils take action to reduce sturgeon bycatch in federal large mesh gillnet fisheries by 2024. Because spiny dogfish and monkfish are managed jointly by the Mid-Atlantic and New England Councils, the Councils initiated this joint action. Recent updated and relatively high bycatch estimates have prompted NMFS to encourage the Councils to consider relatively more impactful approaches.

Contacts:

Action Status and Timeline

Next Steps: The following is a tentative schedule of next steps (subject to change)

Documents

Fishery Management Action Team (FMAT)/Plan Development Team (PDT)

  • Karson Cisneros, MAFMC

  • Robin Frede, NEFMC

  • Jenny Couture, NEFMC

  • Spencer Talmage, GARFO SFD

  • Lynn Lankshear, GARFO PRD

  • Bridget St. Amand, NEFSC

  • Jason Boucher, NEFSC

  • James Boyle, ASMFC